Denton, Texas
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Template:Infobox City Image:Old Courthouse Denton TX.jpg Denton is the county seat of Denton County, Texas, in the United States. Located at the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the population was 80,537, while in 2004-05 the population was estimated to have grown to just over 100,000 people, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States [1].
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History
Denton was founded in 1856 because of the need for a county seat. Denton, as well as Denton County, was named after John B. Denton, a prominent Methodist lawyer and Native-American fighter. The city was ultimately incorporated in 1866, when J.B. Sawyer was elected the first mayor.
The current mayor of Denton, as of 2005, is Euline Brock. Mayor Brock cannot seek election in 2006 due to term limitations outlined in the city charter.
Geography
Denton is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and is at the tip of the "Golden Triangle," which includes the cities of Dallas, Fort Worth and Denton, approximately 40 miles apart from each other. Denton is located on Interstate 35 at the fork between I-35E, which runs south to Dallas, and I-35W, which runs south to Fort Worth.
Denton is located at 33°12'59" North, 97°7'45" West (33.216296, -97.129194)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 161.4 km² (62.3 mi²). 159.3 km² (61.5 mi²) of it is land and 2.1 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 1.33% water.
Demographics
Denton's population increased in its first century primarily due to its role as a local agricultural trade center and subsequently when it became host to two universities. In the mid 1900s and through today, Denton grew as a result of its proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth.
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 80,537 people, 30,895 households, and 16,405 families residing in the city. The population density was 505.7/km² (1,309.7/mi²). There were 32,716 housing units at an average density of 205.4/km² (532.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.62% White, 9.12% African American, 0.58% Native American, 3.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.85% from other races, and 2.40% from two or more races. 16.38% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 30,895 households out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.8% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city the population consists of 20.7% under the age of 18, 25.0% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 15.7% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,422, and the median income for a family was $51,419. Males had a median income of $33,698 versus $26,037 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,365. 16.2% of the population and 8.7% of families were below the poverty line. 14.1% of those under the age of 18 and 7.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Education
Denton is home to the University of North Texas, originally known as North Texas Normal College, which was founded in 1890 and the Girls' Industrial college, now called Texas Woman's University. Despite its name, Texas Woman's University is open to both sexes. The University of North Texas, known as UNT, is the largest university in the North Texas area. Their presence gives Denton a college town feel and played a pivotal role in distinguishing it from other agricultural cities in the early 20th century. The two universities currently account for nearly half of Denton's population, with a combined estimated enrollment of 45,000 students.
Denton Independent School District serves the city of Denton.
Recreation
Denton County is home to all or parts of three lakes: Lake Grapevine, Lake Lewisville, and Lake Ray Roberts. The Texas Motor Speedway is located within Denton County.
Denton is also host to the annual Denton Arts & Jazz fest, a city-sponsored event that brings over 200,000 people per year for live music, foods, crafts, and recreation.
Major Government Activities
In addition to being the county seat of Denton County, Denton is also the Region VI headquarters of FEMA.
External links
- City of Denton, TX website
- The Texas Storytelling Festival Annual storytelling festival in March/April
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