Dallas, Tex.

Mayor: Mike Rawlings (to 2019)

City Manager: Mary Suhm

2010 census population (rank): 1,197,816 (9); Male: 598,962 (50.0%); Female: 598,854 (50.0%); White: 607,415 (50.7%); Black: 298,993 (25.0%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 8,099 (0.7%); Asian: 34,263 (2.9%); Other race: 216,831 (17.2%); Two or more races: 31,733 (2.6%); Hispanic/Latino: 507,309 (42.4%). 2010 population 18 and over: 880,688; 65 and over: 105,943 (8.8%); Median age: 32.1.

2014 population estimate (rank): 2,518,638 (9)

See additional census data

Land area: 343 sq mi. (888 sq km);

Alt.: Highest, 750 ft.; lowest, 375 ft.

Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 44.6° F; July, 85.9° F

Churches: 1,974 (in Dallas Co.);

City-owned parks: 406 (21,000+ ac.);

Radio stations: AM, 19; FM, 30;

Television stations: 10 commercial; 1 PBS

Civilian Labor Force (PMSA) April 2015: 3,573,7001;

Unemployed (Dec. 2014): 161,4181,

Percent: 4.61;

Per capita personal income (MSA) 2013: $$27,4261

Chamber of Commerce: Greater Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 700 N. Pearl St., Ste. 1200, Dallas, TX 75201

1. Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, Tex.

Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the seat of Dallas County. It is situated 185 mi northeast of Austin on the Trinity River near the junction of its three forks.

Dallas was first settled by Tennessee lawyer John Neely Bryan as a trading post on the Trinity River in 1841. Many historians believe that Bryan named the city after George Mifflin Dallas, vice president under James K. Polk, but there is no official agreement on this. It was incorporated as a town in 1856 and as a city in 1871. Located in the chief cotton-producing region of Texas, the city developed as a cotton market in the 1870s.

The economy is highly diversified, and the city is the leading commercial, marketing, and industrial center of the southwest. The insurance business is important, and the service sector has experienced rapid growth. Dallas is also a popular tourist and convention city.

See also Encyclopedia: Dallas.

Selected famous natives and residents:

  • Tex Avery animator and director;
  • Robby Benson actor;
  • Ernie Banks baseball player;
  • Bebe Daniels actress;
  • Linda Darnell actress;
  • Lee Elder golfer;
  • Morgan Fairchild actress;
  • Trini Lopez singer;
  • Aaron Spelling producer;
  • Stephen Stills singer;
  • Sharon Tate actress;
  • Lee Trevino golfer.

 
See also: