Dallas, Texas Q & A’s

”The Lone Star State”

DALLAS AREA Q & A’s

What’s the Population?

Geographically in the northern sector of Texas, the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex spans 100 miles and is the seventh largest city in the United States with over one million residents. In Texas, Dallas is the second largest city following Houston. The D/FW CMSA is the ninth largest metropolitan area in the country and is larger than the Houston/Galveston CMSA. Over four million people live in the D/FW area. By 2010, the area is expected to rank fourth in the U.S. in population.

What’s the Population Growth?

The D/FW area has been one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the nation with a 40% increase in population since 1980. Seven of the nation's fastest growing cities from 1980 to 1990 with populations of more than 100,000 were in the D/FW area. These cities include Plano: 77.9%, Arlington: 63.5%, Mesquite: 51.3%, Irving: 41.0%, Garland: 30.1%, Fort Worth: 16.2% and Dallas: 11.3%. From 1980 to 1988, the Metroplex ranked second in net population migration with nearly half a million people migrating to the area. Migration in 1995 is projected at 30,700 persons. Population is projected to grow at an annual rate of 1.7% through 1995. Population by gender for the Dallas PMSA is 49.3% male and 50.7% female. The Dallas PMSA population by ethnicity is divided into five major categories: white: 70.0%, black: 18.4%, native american: 1.3%, hispanic: 9.9%, and other: 0.4%. The Dallas PMSA has a large working age population with persons 18-54 comprising 59% of the total population. Persons younger than 18 years of age make up 27% of the population and 8% are over 65.

What’s the Climate Like?

Texas climate is varied, but with one predominant characteristic -- sunshine. Texas is sun land from the Gulf Coast to mile-high mountains, and in every season of the year. Native and visitor alike enjoy the vitamin D abundance -- living keyed to the great outdoors -- places to go, miles to cover, and things to see. Be sure to use a good sun screen. The tropic-like sun is more intense here than in areas north of the state. Dallas temperatures range from a low of 35 degree in December and January to a high of 98 degrees in August.

Shopping?

Dallas has more shopping centers and more retail space per capita than any other U.S. city, but set aside 60 downtown acres as an arts district. Shop, shop, shop. Choose among designer dresses at the Neiman-Marcus flagship store or shop and ice skate at the three-story Galleria in North Dallas. The area abounds with factory outlets, glitzy malls, dollar stores and antique markets. And speaking of markets, don't miss the Farmers' Market downtown for fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, and exotic treasures from around the world.

Employment Opportunities?

Big D ranks third in the U.S. as headquarters for Fortune 500 companies. The Top 25 Dallas Area Employers:
1. AMR Corporation, DFW Airport
2. AT&T, Dallas
3. Baylor Health Care System, Dallas
4. Baylor University Medical Center, Dallas
5. Brinker International, Inc., Dallas
6. City of Dallas, Dallas
7. Dallas County, Dallas
8. Dallas ISD, Dallas
9. Delta Air Lines, Inc., Dallas
10. DSC Communications Corp., Plano
11. Electronic Data Systems, Plano
12. GTE, Irving
13. Kroger Co., Keller
14. JCPenney Co., Inc., Plano
15. MCI Telecommunications Corp., Richardson
16. Minyard Food Stores, Inc., Coppell
17. NationsBank, Dallas
18. Parkland Memorial Hospital, Dallas
19. Presbyterian Memorial Hospital, Dallas
20. Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, Dallas
21. Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas
22. Tom Thumb Food & Pharmacy, Dallas
23. University of North Texas, Denton
24. University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas
25. U.S. Postal Service-Dallas District, Coppell

Cost of Housing?

The ACCRA cost of living index states that Housing was 6.2% below the national average. The median price of a new home is $145,600 and a resale home is $120,400. Median apartment rent is $526.00.

What is Your Cost of Living Analysis?

Are you considering relocation from your present area to Dallas? Make sure you understand the effects of relocation on your dollar's buying power. Dallas has a moderate cost of living, comparable or well below major east and west coast cities. In 2001, a $60,000 (salary amount strictly used for comparison) salary in Dallas, Texas offers the same buying power as a....

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What About Recreation?

The City of Dallas has 406 public parks covering nearly 50,000 acres. There are over 60 lakes and resevoirs within 100 miles of Dallas. There are 49 private, 20 municipal and 17 daily fee golf courses in the area. The Dallas area hosts numerous national annual sporting events and has several large amusement parks including Six Flags in nearby Arlington. Dallas is one of only eight cities nationwide with all four major professional sports teams: its eight trips to the Superbowl Champions, the Dallas Cowboys football team ("America's Team"); the Dallas Mavericks basketball team; the Texas Rangers baseball team; and the 1999 Stanley Cup Winners and 2000 Western Conference Champions, the Dallas Stars hockey team.

Museums and art?

Dallas is rich in museums. Art lovers can view everything from ancient artifacts to impressionism to comtemporary works at museums such as the Dallas Museum of Art. Both children and adults experience the thrill of discovery through hands-on exhibits, workshops, and special programs at the Science Place.

What is the Best Vistin' Times?

Spring and autumn are ideal times to take advantage of Dallas' mild weather and the many activities. Spend Easter in the Park with Dallas Symphony or enjoy Cinco de Mayo celebrations in May. Fall brings the State Fair of Texas (the largest state fair in the nation), the Mesquite Rodeo, and, of course, Dallas Cowboy football.

What is the History of the Dallas Area?

Historically, the Anadrako people lived in the Dallas area. French traders visited, but white settlers were unknown until 1840. That's when John Neely Bryan Tennessee arrived and established a small trading post on the Trinity River. Other settlers joined him, including his neighbor, Joe Dallas, for whom Bryan named the town. But the railroads truly put Dallas on the map and made it the commercial center it is today, the only major city in the U.S. without a river or ocean port.