COMMUNITY PROFILES

DALLAS

General- population 916,050; 378 square miles.

Local government – council-manager (11 councilmen, three elected at-large and eight from representative districts).

Education-Dallas Independent School District operates a total of 210 public educational facilities; some areas of North Dallas are also served by Richardson Independent School District. Southern Methodist University, and El Centro, Richland, Mountain View and Dallas Baptist colleges are within Dallas’ corporate limits.

Medical facilities-seven major medical centers plus more than 25 smaller hospitals and health centers.

Public recreation – 295 parks and park sites (including all or part of five major lakes), encompassing more than 15,954 acres of land.

Utilities- Dallas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: 49 stations; police: 2,003 officers; library: Central Public Library, plus 18 branches.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Fair Park, Cotton Bowl, six museums, Dallas Theater Center, Dallas Convention Center, Reunion Arena. Historical: Swiss Avenue, Munger Place, West End Historical District, John Neely Bryan cabin, Dealey Plaza, Kennedy Memorial, Old City Park, Old Red Courthouse.

Shopping areas-65 designated shopping malls and centers, plus the Central Business District and commercial strips along major thoroughfares.

Chamber of Commerce– 1507 Pacific Ave., 75201; 954-1111.

ADDISON

General- population 8,700; five square miles; 14 miles north of downtown Dallas.

Local government – mayor, council (six councilmen including mayor).

Education – serviced by Dallas schools.

Medical facilities-none.

Public recreation -one park.

Utilities-Lone Star Gas, Texas Power & Light, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: two stations, 28 firemen; police: 34 officers.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Ad-dison Theater; major hotels in the area offer top entertainment. Historical: Addi-son School House; Episcopal Church on Hilton Head Drive.

Shopping areas -seven designated areas, including Sakowitz Village on the Parkway, Galleria, Prestonwood Creek, The Quorum.

Chamber of Commerce- 1204 Metro Drive, Carrollton, 75006; 245-0444.

ARLINGTON

General- population 185,000; 99 square miles; 30 miles west of downtown Dallas.

Local government – council-manager (nine councilmen including mayor).

Education – Arlington Independent School District operates 43 schools; The University of Texas at Arlington.

Medical facilities- two major hospitals; one emergency center.

Public recreation – 38 public parks; three public golf courses; Lake Arlington.

Utilities-Texas Electric Service Co., Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: 10 stations, with another planned; police: 280 officers; library: Arlington Public Library, plus three branches.

Points of interest – Entertainment: Six Flags, Trader’s Village, Arlington Stadium, Arlington Community Theater, Wet ’N’ Wild. Historical: Fielder House.

Shopping areas- two malls, with another planned; Central Business District; 23 shopping centers.

Chamber of Commerce-316 W. Main, 76010; (817) 275-2613.



CARROLLTON

General- population 51,000; 30 square miles; 14 miles north of downtown Dallas.

Local government – council-manager (seven councilmen and the mayor).

Education-Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District operates 13 schools in Carrollton.

Medical facilities-one hospital, with another planned.

Public recreation – 25 public parks, one pool, two recreational buildings.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, General Telephone.

Public services-Fire: four stations; police: 66 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Shopping areas-12 designated shopping centers, plus Central Business District.

Chamber of Commerce-1204 Metro Drive, 75006; 245-0444.

DESOTO

General- population 16,500; 26 square miles; 13 miles south of downtown Dallas.

Local government – council-manager (seven councilmen including mayor).

Education – DeSoto Independent School District operates six schools.

Medical facilities- two hospitals.

Public recreation – four public parks, two pools, two recreational buildings.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: two stations with 46 firemen (mostly volunteers); police: 21 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Shopping areas-seven small centers, plus The Crossing.

Chamber of Commerce-1001 E. Pleasant Run Road, 75115; 224-3565.

DUNCANVILLE

General– population 31,700; 12 square miles; 10 miles south of downtown Dallas.

Local government– Home-rule charter with council-manager (five councilmen and the mayor).

Education – Duncanville Independent School District operates 10 schools; Mountain View College nearby.

Medical facilities-one hospital.

Public recreation-10 parks, two pools.

Utilities -Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: two stations; police: 40 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Points of interest-Historical: Abandoned Nike missile base now houses state offices; Camp Wisdom fossil formations nearby.

Shopping areas-five designated shopping centers.

Chamber of Commerce-300 E. Wheat-land Road, 75116; 298-6128.

FARMERS BRANCH

General- population 25,581; 12 square miles; adjacent to and west of North Dallas.

Local government – council-manager (six councilmen including mayor).

Education-Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District operates six schools in Farmers Branch.

Medical facilities-one hospital.

Public recreation -27 public parks on 168 acres.

Utilities -Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: two stations; police: 52 officers; library: Manske Memorial Library, no branches.

Points of interest-Historical: The Historical Trail plus historical markers.

Shopping areas- nine designated shopping centers.

Chamber of Commerce-1204 Metro Drive, Carrollton, 75006; 245-0444.

GARLAND

General- population 150,000; 57 square miles; 15 miles northeast of downtown Dallas.

Local government – Council-manager (nine councilmen including mayor).

Education – Garland Independent School District operates 45 schools; Amber University nearby.

Medical facilities-three hospitals.

Public recreation – 60 public parks, five recreational buildings.

Utilities -Texas Power & Light, Garland Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, General Telephone, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: six stations; police: 164 officers; library: one main library, two branches.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Garland Center for the Performing Arts, White Water, Lake Ray Hubbard nearby.

Shopping areas- 35 shopping centers, plus the Central Business District.

Chamber of Commerce -914 S. Garland Ave., 75040; 272-7551.

HIGHLAND PARK

General- population 8,950; 2.4 square miles; surrounded by the city of Dallas.

Local government – council-manager (six councilmen including mayor).

Education – Highland Park Independent School District operates six schools; Southern Methodist University nearby.

Medical facilities- none.

Public recreation-18 public parks, one swimming pool.

Utilities- Dallas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: one station; police: 45 officers; library: one main library, no branches.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Own-by Stadium, McFarlin Auditorium on SMU campus. Historical: Highland Park Village, one of the oldest shopping centers in the United States.

Shopping areas-three small centers.

Chamber of Commerce- North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Road, Dallas, 75230; 368-6485.

HURST/EULESS/BEDFORD

General-Hurst: population 33,300; 9.7 square miles. Euless: population 28,200; 16.5 square miles (six miles are part of D/FW airport). Bedford: population 28,850; 10.1 square miles.

Local government – all three towns have council-manager, home rule.

Education – H/E/B Independent School District operates 37 schools. Tarrant County Junior College, in Hurst, is the only college within H/E/B town limits.

Medical facilities-two hospitals service the three cities.

Public recreation – 27 parks, eight swimming pools, 28 tennis courts.

Utilities-all three towns are serviced by Lone Star Gas and Southwestern Bell. Hurst is serviced by Texas Electric; Bedford and Euless are serviced by Texas Power & Light.

Public services (for all three cities) – Fire: seven stations; police: 125 officers; library: three, one in each city.

Shopping areas- 22 shopping centers, including Northeast Mall in Hurst.

Chamber of Commerce- 1900 Airport Freeway, Bedford, 76021; (817) 283-1521.



IRVING

General-population 112,550; 67 square miles.

Local government – council-manager (nine councilmen including mayor).

Education -Irving Independent School District operates 25 schools; Northlake Community College, The University of Dallas.

Medical facilities-two major hospitals.

Public recreation – 28 parks.

Utilities -Lone Star Gas, Texas Power & Light, General Telephone, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: eight stations; police: 146 officers; library: Central Public Library, plus two branches.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Sesame Place. Historical: The Record Crossing, where pioneers crossed the Trinity River heading west; Robert H. Power home, built in 1857.

Shopping areas-21 designated shopping areas, including Irving Mall.

Chamber of Commerce-1309 W. Airport Freeway, Irving, 75062; 252-8484.

LANCASTER

General-population 15,750; 17 square miles.

Local government – council-manager (five councilmen and the mayor).

Education -five schools, with another under construction; Cedar Valley College.

Medical facilities- Lancaster Medical Center, three hospitals (including Midway Park General Hospital, a complete facility with a trauma unit).

Public recreation – eight parks, two swimming pools, activity center, two tennis courts.

Utilities- Lone Star Gas, Texas Power & Light, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: one station; police: 28 officers; library: Veteran’s Memorial Library.

Shopping areas-six centers, including Town Square.

Chamber of Commerce-1535 Dallas Ave., Lancaster, 75146; 227-2579.

MESQUITE

General– population 74,000; 34.3 square miles; 13 miles east of downtown Dallas.

Education – Mesquite Independent School District operates 27 schools; East-field College.

Medical facilities-three hospitals.

Public recreation – 34 public parks, four swimming pools, two recreational buildings, one golf course.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: five stations; police: 90 officers; library: one main library, one branch.

Points of interest – Entertainment: Mesquite Championship Rodeo, Lake Ray Hubbard. Historical: Old Motley Cemetery (on Eastfield College campus), Galloway and Lawrence (“Tower House”) homes; site of old Town of Scyene; Sam-uell Farm.

Shopping areas -two malls (Town East and Big Town) with another planned, plus seven other designated centers and Central Business District.

Chamber of Commerce-617 N. Ebrite St., 75149;285-0211.

PLANO

General– population 86,100; 57 square miles; 19 miles north of downtown Dallas (in Collin County).

Local government – council-manager (six councilmen including mayor).

Education – Piano Independent School District operates 30 schools; University of Texas at Dallas nearby.

Medical facilities-one hospital.

Public recreation – 45 public parks, three swimming pools, two recreational buildings, one golf course.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, General Telephone.

Public services-Fire: four stations; police: 114 officers; library: two branches.

Shopping areas-45 designated centers, plus Central Business District.

Chamber of Commerce-1200 E. 15th St., 75074; 424-7547.

RICHARDSON

General-population 76,200; 28.5 square miles; 15 miles north of downtown Dallas.

Local government-council-manager (seven councilmen).

Education – Richardson Independent School District operates 49 schools; University of Texas at Dallas and Richland College nearby.

Medical facilities-one hospital.

Public recreation-16 public parks, five pools, two recreational buildings, one golf course.

Utilities-Texas Power & Light, Lone Stàr Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: four stations; police: 103 officers; library: one central library.

Shopping areas-20 designated centers, plus Central Business District.

Chamber of Commerce – 411 Belle Grove Drive, 75080; 234-4141.

UNIVERSITY PARK

General- population 23,250; four square miles; surrounded by the city of Dallas.

Local government-general law commission-manager (two councilmen and the mayor).

Education – Highland Park Independent School District operates six schools; Southern Methodist University.

Medical facilities- none.

Public recreation-five public parks, one pool, 10 tennis courts.

Utilities- Dallas Power & Light, Lone Star Gas, Southwestern Bell.

Public services-Fire: one station with 33 paid firemen; police: 33 officers; library: none.

Points of interest-Entertainment: Own-by Stadium, McFarlin Auditorium and Algur Meadows Fine Arts Museum, all on SMU campus.

Shopping areas– five designated shopping centers.

Chamber of Commerce-North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, 10707 Preston Road, Dallas, 75230; 368-6485.