Dallas, Texas

Dallas, Texas
source
Name	Dallas
Settlement type	City
Nickname	Big D, The Triple D
Motto	"Live Large. Think Big."
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Texas
Subdivision type2	Counties
Subdivision name2	Dallas, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, Kaufman
Established title	Founded
Established date	1841
Government type	Council-Manager
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Eric Johnson
Area total sq mi	385.8
Area land sq mi	342.5
Area water sq mi	43.3
Elevation ft	430
Population total	1,304,379
Population as of	2020
Population density sq mi	3,809
Population metro	7,637,387
Timezone	CST
Utc offset	-6
Timezone DST	CDT
Utc offset DST	-5
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	75201–75398
Area code	214, 469, 972, 945
Website	dallas.gov

Dallas, Texas is a major city in the Southern United States and the most populous in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States. Founded in 1841 by John Neely Bryan near the Trinity River, it grew into a global hub for logistics, finance, and technology. The city is internationally recognized for its prominent role in the petroleum industry, the assassination of John F. Kennedy, and as the home of the Dallas Cowboys and a vibrant arts district.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Caddo and other indigenous tribes before becoming part of the Republic of Texas. John Neely Bryan established a permanent settlement in 1841, which was formally incorporated as a city in 1856. The arrival of the Houston and Texas Central Railway and the Texas and Pacific Railway in the 1870s transformed it into a major cotton and commodities trading center. The 1930 discovery of the East Texas Oil Field cemented its status as a financial nexus for the petroleum industry. The city gained profound national attention on November 22, 1963, with the assassination of John F. Kennedy in Dealey Plaza, an event memorialized at the nearby Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza. Subsequent growth was fueled by the rise of Texas Instruments, the expansion of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and its emergence as a cornerstone of the Sun Belt.

Geography

Located in North Texas, the city spans parts of five counties: Dallas, Collin, Denton, Rockwall, and Kaufman. Its terrain consists primarily of flat to rolling prairie, with the Trinity River flowing through its center. The metropolitan area lies within the Blackland Prairie ecoregion. Major geographic features include the man-made White Rock Lake and the extensive Dallas Floodway system. The climate is classified as humid subtropical, characterized by hot summers, mild winters, and occasional severe weather, including thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States Census, the city proper had a population of over 1.3 million residents, making it the ninth-most populous city in the nation. The broader Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex is home to over 7.6 million people. Dallas is a majority-minority city with a diverse ethnic and racial composition; significant populations include Hispanic or Latino, African American, and Asian American communities. The city has large immigrant populations from Mexico, Vietnam, India, and Nigeria, among other countries. Major educational institutions influencing the population include the University of Texas at Dallas and Southern Methodist University.

Economy

Dallas boasts a highly diversified economy and is a leading center for corporate headquarters, including Fortune 500 companies like ExxonMobil, AT&T, and American Airlines. It is a global hub for telecommunications, information technology, banking, and logistics, supported by the massive Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and extensive rail and interstate highway networks. The city's Arts District and Victory Park are focal points for business and tourism. Key economic sectors also include defense contracting, with major operations for Lockheed Martin, and health care, anchored by the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center.

Culture

The city's cultural landscape is anchored by the 68-acre Dallas Arts District, the largest contiguous urban arts district in the United States, housing institutions like the Dallas Museum of Art, the Nasher Sculpture Center, and the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center, home to the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Dallas is famed for its National Football League franchise, the Dallas Cowboys, and the State Fair of Texas held at Fair Park, a National Historic Landmark. The city's culinary scene reflects its diversity, known for Tex-Mex cuisine, barbecue, and upscale dining. Annual events include the Dallas International Film Festival and the St. Patrick's Day parade and festival.

Government

Dallas operates under a council-manager system established by its city charter. Legislative power is vested in a 15-member Dallas City Council, with 14 single-member district representatives and a mayor elected at-large, currently Eric Johnson. The council appoints a professional city manager to oversee daily municipal operations. The city is the county seat of Dallas County, and key law enforcement is provided by the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff's Department. It is part of multiple federal judicial districts and is represented in the United States Congress by members of the U.S. House. Category:Cities in Texas Category:County seats in Texas Category:1841 establishments in Texas