Everything About Carrollton, TX

History

Carrollton was founded in 1846 by early settlers J.P. Noel and Jared Ford. It was originally known as Peters’ Colony after William Peters, who obtained a grant from the newly-formed Republic of Texas for the land.

Settlers were attracted to the area for its fertile farmland along the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The town itself was established along the Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike, which brought travelers and commerce through the area.

Carrollton served as a supply and distribution center during the Civil War. After the war, Lewis Trice claimed Carrollton for himself, dubbing it Trice’s Crossing. When the railroad was later built, the name reverted back to Carrollton.

The town grew slowly but steadily throughout the late 1800s as an agricultural trade center and became a shipping point for area farms and ranches.

In 1913, Carrollton was officially established with the opening of the town’s first post office. Growth was steady but modest until the late 1940s, when suburban sprawl from Dallas reached the city limits.

The population exploded over the next several decades, transforming Carrollton from a small farming town to a large residential community with nearly 120,000 residents today.

Geography

Carrollton is located in Denton, Dallas, and Collin counties in North Texas. It lies 16 miles north of downtown Dallas along Interstate 35E in the fertile North Texas prairie. The total area of the city is 34.6 square miles.

Carrollton sits atop the Trinity River Basin and is drained by the Elm Fork of the Trinity River, which runs to east and north sections of the city.

There are also numerous creeks, streams, lakes and reservoirs within the city limits, including Indian Creek, Furneaux Creek, Josey Lake, and Myers Park Lake.

The terrain is characterized by gently rolling hills dotted with small forested areas and crossed by streams feeding into the Trinity River system. Most of the soil is made up of rich black prairie land ideal for farming. Minerals deposits, especially limestone, are also found in areas of Carrollton.

Neighboring communities include Lewisville to the north, Plano to the east, Addison to the south, and Farmers Branch and Dallas to the west.

Geology

The geology underlying Carrollton is characterized primarily by 100-130 million year old sedimentary rock deposited during the Cretaceous Period when this region was covered by a shallow sea. Limestone and marl chalk make up much of these sedimentary layers.

In some areas of Carrollton, there are fossilized remains of marine creatures such as ammonites and belemnites buried within these sedimentary rock layers. This indicates that the region was once an ancient seabed before the sea retreated around 65 million years ago.

On top of the limestone bedrock lies thick layers of black clay that weathered from limestone. This dark, fertile soil is part of what makes the prairie land around Carrollton ideal for farming. The clay is also used for making bricks and ceramics.

There are also deposits of gravel, sand, and silt near the Trinity River basin that have eroded from limestone and sandstone over millions of years.

Additionally, mineral deposits like natural gas, petroleum and sulfur have been tapped underneath Carrollton since the 1950s. The rich mineral wealth and fossil fuel reserves continue to drive economic growth in the region.

Neighborhoods

Some of the major neighborhoods and residential areas in Carrollton include:

• Old Downtown Carrollton – The historic heart of Carrollton with restored Victorian homes, mom-and-pop shops and quaint city center.
• Hebron / Josey Ranch – One of the largest masterplanned communities with over 8,000 homes, 3 parks and 3 pools centered around the Cornerstone Park Complex.
• Trinity Mills – Major retail corridor with over 1,500 shops, restaurants, parks and trails following Trinity Mills Roads.
• Carrollton Square – Vibrant neighborhood with highly-rated schools, kids splash park and many amenities.
• Arbor Creek – Secluded community set on over 300 acres with luxury homes starting in the $700,000s.
• Bluffview Estates – Located on scenic bluffs overlooking the Elm Fork Country Club golf course and greenbelt.
• Country Place – Family-friendly community with large lots and access to top schools nearby.
• North Haven – Lively area with tree-lined streets as well as greenbelts with hike and bike trails.

From quaint downtown areas to masterplanned suburbs to luxury enclaves, Carrollton has diverse residential options to suit all lifestyles and budgets. The city takes pride in maintaining livability and a small-town charm even as it continues expanding rapidly.

Climate

Carrollton has a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The July daily average temperature is 83°F and the January daily average is 46°F. The city gets approximately 37 inches of rain per year.

Summers are very hot and humid, thanks to moist air from the Gulf of Mexico blowing in during the day. High temperatures in July and August average in the mid 90s, and it is common for heat indices to reach over 100°F during the summer months.

Winters are relatively short and mild, with cold fronts periodically blowing in from the north and bringing lower temperatures.

While snow and ice storms happen on occasion in Carrollton, accumulations tend to be light. The average date of the first freeze is mid-November, allowing for a long growing season favorable to agriculture.

Spring weather arrives early but can vary widely, with temperatures swinging 30 degrees over the course of a few days. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes are most common during the spring. The fall tends to be drier and more temperate.

Demographics

According to the 2020 census, Carrollton had a population of 146,817 residents. The racial makeup of the city was approximately 59.7% White, 16.7% Asian, 14.0% Black or African American, 5.8% from other races, and 3.0% from two or more races. 24.4% percent of residents identified as Hispanic or Latino.

Over a third of households have children under 18 years old living with them. The average household size is 2.79 persons. Around 87.2% of residents have a high school degree or higher, and over 41% hold a bachelor’s degree or advanced college degree, making Carrollton one the most educated cities in Texas.

Popular jobs held by citizens include positions in professional, scientific and technical services, healthcare, retail trade, and finance and insurance.

The median annual household income is $80,945, while the per capita income is $33,473. Carrollton has one of the youngest and most affluent populations in north Dallas County.

The population has grown exponentially in recent decades, more than doubling between 1990 and 2010. Steady job growth, rising home values and local economic prosperity continue to attract new residents each year.

Economy

Long the center of rich farmland and ranch land, Carrollton’s early economy was focused on agriculture and livestock. Today, the city enjoys a diverse and thriving economic base.

With the 18th largest tax base in Texas, Carrollton has one of the most vibrant business communities in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Many corporate campuses and headquarters call Carrollton home, including offices for AT&T, Verizon, Microsoft, FedEx Office, and Medtronic.

Additionally, Carrollton houses a large manufacturing and warehouse/distribution center base, thanks to its prime location along I-35E in the middle of the region.

The city also contains over 150+ miles of retail space centered in shopping corridors like Trinity Mills and the area surrounding North Dallas Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike.

With a bustling service industry catering to these large employment centers, the unemployment rate stays remarkably low at around 3.5%. New businesses and commercial projects continue expanding in Carrollton each year.

Culture

First settled by American pioneers, Carrollton still retains a vibrant blend of old Wild West charm and modern suburban expansion. Long-standing community traditions hearken back to 4th of July parades, rodeos and county fairs of the past.

Several historic homes and buildings built as far back as the late 1800s have been restored around Old Downtown Carrollton, offering a glimpse into the city’s frontier beginnings.

At the same time, recent population booms have established Carrollton as one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse cities in the region.

Over a quarter of the population is foreign born, contributing to a rich tapestry of backgrounds and customs. Asian and Latino influences especially are seen in the scores of specialty grocery stores and restaurants thriving around town.

Major events in Carrollton reflect this mix of heritages, like the annual Dragon Pride Festival which celebrates Chinese culture with dances, foods and fireworks. There is also the Carrollton Festival at the Switchyard highlighting local musicians and artists every May.

Residents also enjoy access to over 2,500 acres of park land and 30 public parks – one of the highest ratios in the metroplex. Popular recreation options include hiking trails, athletic fields, public pools, recreation centers, golf courses and the expansive 6-mile long Josey Ranch Lake Park.

Colleges and universities

Carrollton is home to two higher education institutions:

Brookhaven College – This community college first opened its doors in 1978 on the former site of Trinity Mills High School. Brookhaven enrolls over 12,000 credit and continuing education students in a wide array of associate degrees and technical certification programs. Areas of study include health sciences, business and entrepreneurship, creative arts, manufacturing and engineering, public service, and information technology. Facilities include a 225-acre main campus, specialized technology and health centers, and adult education centers around Dallas county.

Dallas Christian College – Founded in 1950, Dallas Christian College (DCC) is a private four-year college focused on biblical studies and Christian Ministry education and training.

DCC offers over seven bachelor degree programs with major concentrations in fields like Biblical studies, education, business leadership, youth and family ministry and worship arts.

The college is home to the Gary Cook School of Leadership, the Zone recreational center with fitness and athletics, and the 60-acre University Place conference center. With full regional SACSCOC accreditation, Dallas Christian College currently serves over 400 enrolled students.

The proximity of these two schools offers local residents excellent access to higher education opportunities right in their backyard. Several partnerships and pipelines also exist between Brookhaven, DCC and top universities in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Media

Carrollton is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth media market, the 5th largest media market in the U.S. with 6.5 million television households.

Popular Dallas radio stations and newspapers service the community. However, there are also several media outlets dedicated specifically to covering local Carrollton news and events, including:

Carrollton Leader – A semimonthly community newspaper founded in 1988 that reports on schools, government, business and development, local events, arts and more across town. Carrollton Leader has a circulation of 15,000 and is part of Southern Denton Publications, LLC.

Carrollton Radio – An online grassroots community radio station spotlighting local Carrollton area music artists and providing updates about happenings around town. The independent station is 100% supported by listeners.

City of Carrollton Television – The city’s public, education and government access cable TV channel found on Spectrum channel 16 and FIOS channel 47. Programming includes live broadcast or archived recordings of public city council meetings and local school events.

Additionally, the City of Carrollton maintains several official government outreach platforms to engage residents like its Public Information Office social media sites, monthly digital newsletters, and the carrolltontx.gov city website portal.

These provide up-to-date municipal news, contact resources, and information on topics impacting local quality of life.

Roadways

At the crossroads of two major interstate highways, transportation around Carrollton employs an integrated network of expressways, tollways, transit lines and surface streets. Some primary road arteries include:

• Interstate 35E – Runs north/south through Carrollton, connecting motorists straight into downtown Dallas center 16 miles to the south. Part of the vast I-35 corridor linking cities from Laredo at the Mexico border up to Duluth, Minnesota.
• President George Bush Turnpike – East/west route intersects Carrollton with access managed toll lanes and no traffic lights for over 30 continuous miles, reaching from Garland in the east to Irving in the west. Part of the larger 190+ mile Dallas North Tollway system circling Dallas Fort-Worth.
• Dallas North Tollway – Runs along south Carrollton w/ direct access to Dallas Galleria mall, major corporate campuses in Plano, Frisco and affluent northern suburbs. Crosses under Interstate 35E.
• Trinity Mills Road – Heavily developed retail corridor dotted with outlets, shops and dining winding parallel along I-35E through central Carrollton.
• Frankford Road – 6 lane divided highway traversing Carrollton east/west from Old Denton Drive in west to Midway Road in east near Addison.

Densely connected local streets, highways and dedicated public transit routes like DART allow most residents convenient car-free transport around town to major employers, retail centers and public services. This robust infrastructure network sustains bustling economic activity across Carrollton.

Major Landmarks

Some beloved institutions and notable destinations long synonymous with Carrollton include:

A.W. Perry Homestead Museum – History museum centered around an authentically restored Victorian house first built in 1912 showcasing life in early Carrollton through historical narratives, artifacts and heritage exhibits.

Josey Ranch Lake Park – Sprawling lakeside recreational park with over 5,200 acres of trails, fishing spots, boat access, athletic fields and nature habitats that receive a million annual visitors. Hosts award-winning July 4th fireworks.

Elm Fork Shooting Sports – Enormous 140 acre premier shooting facility owned by the City of Carrollton accommodating shotgun, rifle, pistol and archery events. Site of major annual championships and Team USA Olympic team practices.

Carrollton Square – Open-air mixed used village square with decorative clock tower on bustling Hebron Parkway lined by boutiques, shops, restaurants and public events space.

Our Lord’s Community Fellowship Church – contemporary MEGACHURCH founded in Carrollton that grew from 12 to over 15,000 members across 5 metroplex locations led by dynamic husband-wife Senior Pastor team DeVon and Cecilia Waller.

Dallas Metrocare Services Administrative Offices – State-operated complex of health buildings providing mental and behavioral health services to thousands of North Texans yearly.

High-tech industry campuses along the President George Bush Turnpike corridor – Global headquarters for major telecoms like AT&T, Verizon, Ericsson, MetroPCS and Chinese-owned Huawei equipment.