Garland, Texas
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Garland is a suburb of Dallas, Texas, located in Dallas County, Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 215,768. Garland is somewhat famous for being one of the inspirations for former Garland resident Mike Judge's television show, King of the Hill, which is set in "Arlen, Texas."
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History
Settlers began arriving in the Peters colony area around 1850 but a community wasn't created until 1874. Two communities actually sprung up in the area, "Embree," named for the physician K. H. Embree, and "Duck Creek," named for the local creek of the same name. A rivalry between the two towns ensued as the area began to grow around the Santa Fe Railroad depot. Eventually, to settle a dispute over which town should have the local post office, Dallas County Judge Thomas A. Nash asked visiting Congressman, Joe Abbott to move the post office between the two towns and in 1887, that's exactly what happened. The new location was named "Garland" after then Attorney General Augustus Hill Garland. Both Embree and Duck Creek were dissolved and they combined to form the city of Garland. In 1891, the new city was incorporated. By 1904, the town had a population of 819 people.
In 1920, local businessmen put money together to fund a new generator for the town sold by Fairbanks-Morse. Out of this was formed Garland Power & Light, the municipal electric provider that still powers the city today.
On May 9, 1927, a devastating tornado destroyed much of the town and killed 17 people, including former mayor S. E. Nicholson.
Businesses began to move into the area in the late 1930s. The Craddock food company and later the Byer-Rolnick hat factory (now owned by Resistol) moved into the area. In 1937, KRLD, a local radio station, built a radio tower in Garland. During World War II, several aircraft plants were operated in the area and Kraft Foods purchased one after the war for their own manufacturing usage. By 1950, the population had reached 10,571 people.
From 1950 to 1954, the area suffered from a serious drought. To meet the water needs, which came from wells, the city began using the waters of nearby Lake Lavon as a means to improve the water supply.
Following World War II, the suburban population boom that the nation experienced also reached Garland. By 1960, the population had more than tripled from 1950 numbers to 38,501. By 1970, it more than doubled again to 81,437. By 1980, the population crossed the 100,000-person threshold with 138,857 people and nearly doubled again in 20 years to 215,768 in 2000.
In the 1980s and 1990s, Garland was home to one of the two Dallas-area Wet N' Wild facilities before the company's purchase by Six Flags and eventual closure of the Garland facility in 1993 (the Arlington facility was renamed Six Flags Hurricane Harbor).
Garland is also home to 3D Realms, the video game company that created and developed Duke Nukem 3D, developed Max Payne and Max Payne 2: The Fall Of Max Payne. They are currently working on Duke Nukem Forever.
In addition to Mike Judge previously taking residence in Garland, singer LeAnn Rimes also grew up in Garland.
Geography
TXMap-doton-Garland.PNG
Location of Garland, Texas
Garland is located at 32°54'26" North, 96°38'7" West (32.907325, -96.635197)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 147.9 km² (57.1 mi²). None of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 215,768 people, 73,241 households, and 55,443 families residing in the city. The population density is 1,458.7/km² (3,778.1/mi²). There are 75,300 housing units at an average density of 509.1/km² (1,318.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 65.27% White, 11.87% African American, 0.60% Native American, 7.33% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 11.99% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. 25.58% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 73,241 households out of which 41.6% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% are married couples living together, 13.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.3% are non-families. 19.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.93 and the average family size is 3.37.
In the city the population is spread out with 29.8% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 7.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 32 years. For every 100 females there are 98.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 95.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $49,156, and the median income for a family is $53,545. Males have a median income of $35,859 versus $29,392 for females. The per capita income for the city is $20,000. 8.9% of the population and 6.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.7% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Education
Most of Garland is in Garland Independent School District. Parts of Garland extend into other districts, including Mesquite Independent School District and Richardson Independent School District.
External links
- The City of Garland Home Page (http://www.ci.garland.tx.us)
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| See also: List of Texas counties |