Allen, Texas
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Allen, Texas | |
| Location within the state of Texas | |
| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Texas |
| County | Collin |
| Government | |
| - Mayor | Steve Terrell |
| Area | |
| - Total | 26.3 sq mi (68.2 km²) |
| - Land | 26.3 sq mi (68.2 km²) |
| - Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Elevation | 659 ft (201 m) |
| Population (2006) | |
| - Total | 77,465 |
| - Density | 1,653.4/sq mi (638.4/km²) |
| Time zone | CST (UTC-6) |
| - Summer (DST) | CDT (UTC-5) |
| ZIP codes | 75002, 75013 |
| Area code(s) | 972, 469, 214 |
| FIPS code | 48-01924GR2 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1329377GR3 |
| Website: http://www.cityofallen.org | |
Allen is a city in Collin County, Texas, United States, and a northern suburb of Dallas. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 43,554. As of April 2007, the city's population is estimated at 77,465.
Contents |
[edit] Geography
Allen is located at (33.099748, -96.662922)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, after buying the Chase Oaks Golf Course the city has a total area of 26.3 square miles (68.2 km²).26.3 square miles (68.2 km²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
[edit] Demographics
As of April 2007, there were 77,465 people living in Allen. This is a dramatic increase from the city's 2000 Census figures showing just over 40,000 people, 14,205 households, and 12,045 families. Other statistics, based on 2000 Census figures, showed population density at 638.4/km² (1,653.6/sq mi). There were 15,227 housing units at an average density of 578.1/sq mi (223.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.14% White, 4.40% African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.73% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.41% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.98% of the population.
There were 14,205 households out of which 55.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 74.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 15.2% were non-families. 11.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.9% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 40.7% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 2.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city in 2006 was $85,986, and the median income for a family was $101,120.
[edit] Culture
Until recent years, Allen was a predominantly white, middle-class bedroom community, but recently there has been an influx of upper-middle class families from a variety of cultures. This increase is due in large part to the upscale subdivisions being developed on the western side of the city.
The city's east side (that is, east of the U.S. 75/Central Expressway north-south corridor) remains, for the most part, white and middle-class, but there is a significant trend toward black, Hispanic and Asian families moving into pockets of some middle class and, particularly, some lower middle class subdivisions. While within the Allen city limits Central Expressway remains an economic divide, the 'estate communities' of Fairview and Lucas are both known for their large lots and exemplary public schools. These communities border the eastern side of Allen to the north and east, respectively. The west side of the city generally reflects a bloc of newer housing construction and wealth, and the east side consists of a few relatively less-well-off and older neighborhoods mixed amid the overall affluence and newer construction that predominates city-wide.
A large, master-planned development called Watters Creek/Montgomery Farm is being developed in west Allen off of Bethany Drive. This development includes single family homes ranging in price from $250,000 to over 1 million dollars. The development also includes a pedestrian-friendly, new urbanism style shopping center called Watters Creek. PF Chang's has already opened in Watters Creek, and more upscale national retailers including Ann Taylor Loft, Starbucks, Borders, Mi Cocina, and Brio will also be part of the development.
[edit] History
The town was founded in 1870 as a railroad stop for the Houston and Texas Railroad, connecting the railway with nearby farms. The first railway dam used to facilitate the railway still stands at Exchange Park. The town was named after former Texas attorney general and railroad promoter Ebenezer Allen.
In 1878, a gang of robbers led by Sam Bass committed what is believed to have been the first train robbery in Texas at the RR crossing on what is now McDermott.
During the 1990s, children's television shows such as Barney & Friends, Wishbone, and ZOOM were filmed in Allen.[citation needed]
[edit] Education
The Allen Independent School District has 13 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, 1 freshman center, 1 alternate school, and 1 high school (Allen High School). Allen ISD serves almost all of Allen.
Small portions of the Allen city limits extend into Lovejoy, McKinney, and Plano ISDs. In the fall of 2006, new 9th grade high school students in the Lovejoy ISD boundaries began attending the newly opened Lovejoy High School [1]. A new grade level is to be added each subsequent school year, making the school a full 4-year high school in the 2009-10 school year. Existing Allen High School (Classes 2008 and 2009) students within the Lovejoy ISD boundaries continue to attend Allen High School.
Allen hosts a campus of the Collin County Community College District, which is located inside Allen High School.
The Allen Eagle Escadrille, Allen High School's marching band, performed in the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade and Bandfest in Pasadena, California. The Escadrille has 650 members, including the band, drill team, and color guard. The Escadrille is the largest high school band in the world. It was also a special participant in the 1994 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland, 1995 and 1999 Texas Gubernatorial Parades, and 1997 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
[edit] Notable residents
The following is a list of past and current residents of Allen, who have obtained notability outside of the community:
- Sean M. Welch, Artist
- Burton Gilliam, actor
- Matt Barr, actor
- David Shea, Actor/Model
- Carly Patterson, gymnast, 2004 Olympic All-Around Champion
- Tony Dorsett, Dallas Cowboys player
- Casey Dick, University of Arkansas quarterback
- Alex Reyes, Texas Tech University punter, Minnesota Vikings punter
[edit] External links
- City of Allen official website
- ACTV - Allen City Television
- ACTV - On You Tube
- Allen ISD Website
- Handbook of Texas Online: Allen, TX
- Allen, TX demographic data
- Allen Eagle Escadrille Website
- Collin County Texas
- Allen, Texas is at coordinates Coordinates:
Municipalities and communities of Collin County, Texas | ||
|---|---|---|
| County seat: McKinney | ||
| Cities | Allen | Anna | Blue Ridge | Carrollton‡ | Dallas‡ | Farmersville | Frisco‡ | Garland‡ | Josephine | Lowry Crossing | Lucas | McKinney | Melissa | Murphy | Nevada | Parker | Plano‡ | Princeton | Richardson‡ | Royse City‡ | Sachse‡ | Weston | Wylie‡ | |
| Towns | ||
| CDP | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This city also has portions in adjacent county or counties | |
et:Allen nl:Allen (Texas) pt:Allen (Texas) vo:Allen (Texas)
