North Texas Explained

North Texas
Settlement Type:Region
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name: United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:Largest city
Population Total:8584519[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]
Population As Of:2020

North Texas is a term used primarily by residents of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex[7] [8] to refer to a geographic area of Texas, generally considered to include the area south of Oklahoma, east of Abilene, west of Paris, and north of Hillsboro.[9] Definitions of the region usually don't include the sparsely populated Panhandle of Texas, which is the northernmost region of Texas bordered by New Mexico to the west and Oklahoma to the north and east.[10] [11]

Today, North Texas is centered upon the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, the largest metropolitan area in Texas and the Southern United States. People in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas sometimes use the terms Metroplex, DFW, and North Texas interchangeably. However, North Texas refers to a much larger area that includes many northern rural counties along the Red River of the South border.[12]

History

Indigenous tribes in North Texas included the Caddo, Tawakoni, Wichita, Kickapoo, and Comanche.[13] [14] [15] With European colonization, Mexican independence, and Texan independence and annexation to the United States, many of these tribes experienced demographic decline through relocation, slavery, etc. Since European colonization and the independence movements, the North Texas area was settled and most notably developed the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.

Climate

The North Texas climate is subtropical with hot summers. It is also continental, characterized by a wide annual temperature range. Average annual precipitation also varies considerably, ranging from less than 28 to more than 48 inches (700–1200 mm). Severe storms are frequent in the spring and summer, as the area lies in the southern section of "tornado alley".

South is the prevailing wind direction, and southerly winds are frequently high and persist for several days. Strong northerly winds often occur during the passage of cold fronts.

Winters can be mild, but northers occur about three times each month, and often are accompanied by sudden drops in temperature. In Dallas, a record-setting 12.8 inches of snow fell in February 2010. Periods of extreme cold that occasionally occur are short-lived, so that even in January mild weather occurs frequently.[16]

The highest temperatures of summer are associated with fair skies, and moderate to high humidities. Characteristically, hot spells in summer are broken into three- to five-day periods by thunderstorm activity. There are only a few nights each summer when the low temperature exceeds 80 °F (27 °C). Summer daytime temperatures frequently exceed 100 °F (38 °C). Air conditioners are recommended for maximum comfort indoors and while traveling via automobile.

Throughout the year, rainfall occurs more frequently during the night. Usually, periods of rainy weather last for only a day or two, and are followed by several days with fair skies. A large part of the annual precipitation results from thunderstorm activity, with occasional heavy rainfall over brief periods of time. Thunderstorms occur throughout the year, but are most frequent in the spring and early summer months. Hail falls on about two or three days a year, ordinarily with only slight and scattered damage. Windstorms occurring during thunderstorm activity are sometimes destructive. Snowfall is uncommon.

The average length of the warm season (freeze-free period) is about 249 days. The average last occurrence of 32 °F (0 °C) or below is mid March and the average first occurrence of 32 °F or below is in late November.[17]

Counties

Although the terms "Northeastern Texas" or "North Texas" are not official state designations, the Texas State Data Center and Office of the State Demographer lists the following counties as belonging to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG):[18] [19]

The Texas State Demographer also lists the following regional county groupings, some or all of which are often included in the informal meaning of the terms "North Texas" or "North Central Texas."

Nortex Regional Planning Commission

[20]

Texoma Council of Governments

[21]

Additionally, some other Texas counties contiguous with those named above are sometimes included in the general meaning of "North Texas."

Major cities

CityPopulation (2023)State rankU.S. rank
1,259,40439

Fort Worth
961,885513

Arlington
390,399750

Plano
291,450969

Garland
235,2931291

Irving
248,9311393

Grand Prairie
199,39515127

McKinney
214,30217155

Frisco
227,52818162

Mesquite
143,79220181

Carrollton
132,93523197

Denton
160,56426202

Richardson
113,61332255

Wichita Falls
103,68735285

Lewisville
114,17036288

Allen
109,41140

Flower Mound
79,10250

Other cities and towns

Statistical areas

In the North Texas region there is one combined statistical area, three metropolitan areas, and seven micropolitan areas.

Dallas–Fort Worth TX-OK combined statistical area

Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)

Micropolitan statistical areas (μSAs)

Wichita Falls area

Metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs)

Micropolitan statistical areas (μSAs)

Other

Micropolitan statistical Areas (μSAs)

Economy

Top employers

Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex[22]

CompanyNo. of employees
locally
Type of business
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.34,000Retail
American Airlines27,000Commercial airline
Texas Health Resources22,296Health care
Dallas Independent School District19,740Education
Baylor Health Care System16,500Health care
Wichita Falls metropolitan area[23]
Employer
  1. of Employees
1Sheppard Air Force Base12,272
2Wichita Falls Independent School District2,059
3North Texas State Hospital1,974
4United Regional Health Care System1,778
5City of Wichita Falls1,477
6Midwestern State University1,284
7James V. Allred Unit971
8Cryovac732
9Work Services Corporation730
10Howmet Castings704
Sherman–Denison metropolitan area[24]
Employer
  1. of Employees
1Tyson Foods1,400
2Texoma Health Systems1,375
3Texas Instruments1,200
4Cigna1,000
5Wilson N Jones Health Systems1,000

Colleges and universities

Public universities
SchoolEnrollmentLocationMascotAthletic affiliation
(conference)
University system

The University of North Texas
46,940DentonMean GreenNCAA Division I FBS
(American)
University of North Texas System

University of Texas at Arlington
40,990ArlingtonMavericksNCAA Division I
(WAC)
Non–Football
University of Texas System

University of Texas at Dallas
30,885RichardsonCometsNCAA Division III
(American Southwest)
Non–Football
University of Texas System

Texas Woman's University
15,472DentonNCAA Division II
(Lone Star)
Women's sports only
Independent

Tarleton State University
14,092StephenvilleTexansNCAA Division I FCS
(WAC)
Texas A&M University System

Texas A&M University–Commerce
10,966CommerceLionsNCAA Division I FCS
(Southland)
Texas A&M University System

Midwestern State University
6,102Wichita FallsMustangsNCAA Division II
(Lone Star)
Independent

University of North Texas at Dallas
3,513DallasTrailblazersNAIA
(Sooner)
Non–Football
University of North Texas System
Private universities
SchoolEnrollmentLocationMascotAthletic affiliation
(conference)

Southern Methodist University
11,643University ParkMustangsNCAA Division I FBS
(American)

Texas Christian University
10,323Fort WorthHorned FrogsNCAA Division I FBS
(Big 12)

Dallas Baptist University
5,445DallasPatriotsNCAA Division II
(Lone Star)
Non–Football, compete in the Missouri Valley Conference at the Division I level for baseball

Texas Wesleyan University
3,378Fort WorthRamsNAIA
(Sooner)

University of Dallas
2,576IrvingCrusadersNCAA Division III
(SCAC)
Non–Football, compete in Texas Rugby Union at the Division II level for Rugby

Southwestern Assemblies of God University
2,012WaxahachieLionsNAIA NCCAA
(Sooner)

Austin College
1,224ShermanRoosNCAA Division III
(SCAC)
Compete in the Southern Athletic Association for football

Paul Quinn College
600DallasTigersNAIA
(Red River)
Non–Football

Sports

The North Texas region has teams from the four major professional sports leagues. Major professional sports first came to the area in 1960, when the Dallas Cowboys began competing in the National Football League and the Dallas Texans began competing in the American Football League. (The Texans later relocated to Kansas City and became the Chiefs). In 1972, Major League Baseball's Washington Senators moved to Arlington to become the Texas Rangers, named after the statewide law enforcement agency. The National Basketball Association expanded into North Texas in 1980 when the Dallas Mavericks were added to the league. The fourth sport was added in 1993 when the Minnesota North Stars of the National Hockey League moved to Dallas, becoming the Dallas Stars.

The Major League Soccer team FC Dallas is based in Frisco, and the Dallas Wings of the WNBA plays in Arlington. The area is also home to many minor league professional teams and four colleges that compete in NCAA Division I athletics.

Major professional sports teams

ClubSportFoundedLeagueVenue

Dallas Cowboys
Football1960NFLAT&T Stadium

Texas Rangers
Baseball1972^MLBGlobe Life Field

Dallas Mavericks
Basketball1980NBAAmerican Airlines Center

Dallas Stars
Hockey1993^NHLAmerican Airlines Center

FC Dallas
Soccer1996MLSToyota Stadium

Dallas Wings
Basketball2015^WNBACollege Park Center
^- Indicates year team relocated to the area

Other professional teams

ClubSportFoundedLeagueVenue
Allen AmericansHockey2009ECHLCredit Union of Texas Event Center
Dallas JackalsRugby union2022Major League RugbyChoctaw Stadium
Dallas SidekicksIndoor soccer2012Major Arena Soccer LeagueCredit Union of Texas Event Center
Frisco FightersIndoor football2021Indoor Football LeagueComerica Center
Frisco RoughRidersBaseball2003^Double-A CentralDr Pepper Ballpark
Fort Worth Vaqueros FCSoccer2014National Premier Soccer LeagueFarrington Field
Panther City Lacrosse ClubLacrosse2021National Lacrosse LeagueDickies Arena
Texas LegendsBasketball2010^NBA G LeagueComerica Center
^- Indicates year team relocated to the area

Division I college teams

SchoolCityMascotConference

University of Texas at Arlington
ArlingtonMavericksSun Belt Conference

University of North Texas
DentonMean GreenConference USA

Southern Methodist University
University ParkMustangsAmerican Athletic Conference

Texas Christian University
Fort WorthHorned FrogsBig 12 Conference

Texas A&M University–Commerce
CommerceLionsSouthland Conference

Dallas Baptist University
DallasPatriotsMissouri Valley Conference (baseball only)
The headquarters for both the Big 12 and Conference USA are located in Irving, and the Southland Conference headquarters are in Frisco.

Transportation

Commercial airports

Public transit

Major highways

Tollways

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hood County, Texas; Erath County, Texas; Denton County, Texas; Ellis County, Texas; Collin County, Texas; Dallas County, Texas. Census.gov . 2022-07-20.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Parker County, Texas; Palo Pinto County, Texas; Navarro County, Texas; Kaufman County, Texas; Johnson County, Texas; Hunt County, Texas. Census.gov . 2022-07-20.
  3. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Baylor County, Texas; Archer County, Texas; Wise County, Texas; Tarrant County, Texas; Somervell County, Texas; Rockwall County, Texas. Census.gov . 2022-07-20.
  4. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Montague County, Texas; Jack County, Texas; Hardeman County, Texas; Foard County, Texas; Cottle County, Texas; Clay County, Texas. Census.gov . 2022-07-20.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts:Grayson County, Texas; Fannin County, Texas; Cooke County, Texas; Young County, Texas; Wilbarger County, Texas; Wichita County, Texas. Census.gov . 2022-07-20.
  6. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Taylor County, Texas; Jones County, Texas; Haskell County, Texas; Knox County, Texas; Hamilton County, Texas. Census.gov . 2022-07-20.
  7. Web site: North Texas Facts and Figures from the North Texas Commission . 2022-06-02 . NTC-DFW . en . It is a 9,000-square-mile, 13-county region that is home to 7.5 million people. North Texas is made up of 150 cities – including Dallas and Fort Worth – with 15 of those cities boasting a population of more than 100,000..
  8. Web site: TSHA Grayson County . 2022-06-02 . www.tshaonline.org . Grayson County, in north central Texas, is bordered by the Red River and by Fannin, Collin, Denton, and Cooke counties. The county seat, Sherman, which lies approximately sixty-five miles north of Dallas, is part of the Sherman-Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area..
  9. Web site: North Central Texas Council of Governments . 2022-06-02 . Texas Association of Regional Councils . en-US.
  10. Web site: Counties in the North Central Texas Region of Texas - US Travel Notes . 2022-06-02 . travelnotes.org.
  11. Web site: Why Grayson County? North Texas Regional Airport . 2022-06-02 . en-US.
  12. Web site: W5JCK Map of North-Central Texas Counties. 26 March 2023. 9 April 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160409215509/http://www.w5jck.com/maps/map_of_north_texas_counties.html. dead.
  13. Web site: Indians .
  14. Web site: What happened to Native American tribes that once existed in North Texas? Curious Texas investigates. 25 December 2020. Dallas News. 26 March 2023.
  15. Web site: Tales from the Dallas History Archives: Honoring Native American Heritage Month. Brandon. Murray. 24 November 2021. 26 March 2023.
  16. Web site: Snow: Dallas/Fort Worth's Top-20 Largest Snowfalls on Record. 26 March 2023.
  17. Web site: DFW Climate Narrative .
  18. Web site: Counties by Regional Councils of Governments. 26 March 2023.
  19. Web site: www.NCTCOG.org. 26 March 2023. 17 May 2008. https://web.archive.org/web/20080517162602/http://www.nctcog.org/regional_map.asp. dead.
  20. Web site: Counties . 2008-05-20 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081120082540/http://www.nortexrpc.org/sp/counties/main.htm . 2008-11-20 . dead .
  21. http://www.texoma.cog.tx.us/ Texoma Council of Governments
  22. http://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/subscriber-only/2016/07/15/largest-employers.html Dallas Business Journal 2016
  23. Web site: City of Wichita CAFR. 26 March 2023.
  24. Web site: Sherman-Denison Employers . 2016-06-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150611161823/http://www.denisontx.org/community/Employers . 2015-06-11 . dead .