DENTON COUNTY

History of Denton County

Denton County was established in 1846 and named after John Denton, a pioneer and Methodist minister. Most of the area’s settlers came from the upper south regions like Tennessee and Kentucky, and the county did not grow quickly until after the Civil War.

By the early 1860s, the overall population of the county had increased to 5,031, and the introduction of the Texas and Pacific Railway in the late 1880s provided opportunity for more economic expansion through trade, manufacturing and agriculture. This had a large impact on Denton County as a whole, and for a period of 40 years between 1880 and 1920, Denton County was one of the leading producers of wheat production in the region.

The growth of the county was also greatly affected by the location of the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University.

Denton County Today

With an estimated population of 780,612 according to the 2015 U.S. Census, Denton County is one of the most populous counties in the state of Texas and one of the fastest growing counties in the U.S. The median income is $74,662 and the median age is 34.5. Denton County’s main industries include tourism, educational services and the equine industry.

The average commute time for Denton County residents is 26.5 minutes, and while most residents choose to drive their own cars to work, 0.8 percent of people in Denton County use the public transit to commute. For those who choose to drive, the northern intersection of Interstate 35 East and West (located in Denton) makes traveling to Dallas and Fort Worth convenient and quick.

The Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) also provides access to the A-Train, a 21-mile regional rail system that connects Denton and Dallas counties. A public bus system, the Connect Bus, is also available to shuttle residents to and from important locations in the cities of Denton and Lewisville. The DFW International airport also provides nearby access to domestic and international travel.

Denton County is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area and is closely associated with the city of Dallas and the surrounding area. Residents have an easy commute to Dallas for work and play, but Denton County itself also offers a host of exciting activities, events and attractions for tourists and residents to take part in.

What People Are Saying About Denton County:

• In 2012, Business Insider named Denton the #1 Best Small Town in America.

Large Corporations in Denton County:

There are several large corporations operating in Denton County, Texas, including:

• Peterbilt Motors
• Sally Beauty Company, Inc.
• Victor Technologies
• Tetra Pak Materials, L.P. Corporate Campus
• Flowers Foods

Living in Denton County

The median property value in Denton County is $205,000 but great property values and a prosperous economy aren’t the only factors attracting new residents to the area. There are also a number of fantastic attractions, landmarks and annual events in Denton County that continually draw new residents and visitors. Whether it’s activities on the lake, cultural festivals, or athletic events, Denton County has it all.

Popular Attractions & Landmarks:

• Texas Motor Speedway: Located in Tarrant, Denton, Parker, and Wise Counties, the Texas Motor Speedway is one of the largest sports stadiums in America. This attraction is in northern Fort Worth and hosts countless racing events every year.
• Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch: This 126-acre wildlife park in Pilot Point, TX is home to more than 100 rare and endangered animals and offers field trips, tours, private party rental and camping.
• Billy Bob’s Texas: Touted as “the world’s largest honky-tonk”, Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth is a concert venue, indoor rodeo, bar and restaurant all wrapped up into one exciting packaging. This attraction is located in the Tarrant, Denton, Parker, and Wise Counties.
• Amon Carter Museum of American Art: This art museum in Fort Worth has been in operation for more than 60 years and boasts a large collection of paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and other pieces of art within its permanent collections and rotating exhibitions.
• Lake Lewisville: One of the largest lakes in North Texas, Lake Lewisville is a popular spot for water recreation like swimming, boating, fishing and more.
• Texas First Ladies Gown Collection (TWU): Located at Texas Woman’s University, this collection of gowns worn by the first ladies of Texas is full of history and educational information on the state’s history.

Special Events & Festivals:

• North Texas State Fair and Rodeo: A highly anticipated event each August in North Texas, the North Texas State Fair and Rodeo is an annual celebration featuring country music, rodeos, livestock shows, kids activities, local vendors and plenty of food.
• Denton Arts and Jazz Festival: This free event is held in Denton, TX every April and features non-stop live music, games, fine art, crafts and local informational booths.

Resources for Residents:

• County Courts
• Parks & Recreation
• County Clerk
• Public Works
• Denton County Veterans Coalition
• Chambers of Commerce

Independent School Districts:  (Fort Worth is located in Tarrant, Denton, Parker, and Wise Counties)

• Argyle ISD
• Aubrey ISD
• Carroll ISD
• Carrollton ISD
• Celina ISD
• Coppell ISD
• Corinth ISD
• Cross Roads ISD
• Dallas ISD
• Denton ISD
• Fort Worth ISD
• Frisco ISD
• Grapevine ISD
• Justin ISD
• Krum ISD
• Lake Dallas ISD
• Lewisville ISD
• Little Elm ISD
• Northwest ISD
• Pilot Point ISD
• Plano ISD
• Ponder ISD
• Prosper ISD
• Sanger ISD

Towns & Cities in Denton County

• Argyle – Population: 3,282
• Aubrey – Population: 2,595
• Bartonville – Population: 1,469
• Carrollton (Collin, Denton and Dallas Counties) – Population: 133,168
• Celina (Collin and Denton Counties) – Population: 7,697
• Coppell (Denton and Dallas Counties) – Population: 38,659
• Copper Canyon – Population: 1,334
• Corinth – Population: 19,935
• Corral City – Population: 27
• Cross Roads – Population: 1,563
• Dallas (Dallas, Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall Counties) – Population: 1,300,092
• Denton (county seat) – Population: 113,383
• DISH – Population: 201
• Double Oak – Population: 2,867
• Flower Mound – Population: 64,699
• Fort Worth (Tarrant, Denton, Parker, and Wise Counties) – Population: 833,319
• Frisco (Collin and Denton Counties) – Population: 154,407
• Grapevine (Tarrant and Denton Counties) – Population: 46,334
• Hackberry – Population: 968
• Haslet (Tarrant and Denton Counties) – Population: 1,517
• Hebron – Population: 415
• Hickory Creek – Population: 219
• Highland Village – Population: 15,056
• Justin – Population: 3,246
• Krugerville – Population: 1,662
• Krum – Population: 4,157
• Lake Dallas – Population: 7,105
• Lakewood Village – Population: 545
• Lewisville – Population: 95,290
• Lincoln Park – Population: 308
• Little Elm – Population: 25,898
• Northlake – Population: 1,724
• Oak Point – Population: 2,786
• Pilot Point – Population: 3,856
• Plano (Collin and Denton Counties) – Population: 283,558
• Ponder – Population: 1,395
• Prosper (Collin and Denton Counties) – Population: 15,967
• Providence Village – Population: 4,786
• Roanoke – Population: 8,000
• Sanger – Population: 6,916
• Shady Shores – Population: 2,612
• Southlake (Tarrant and Denton Counties) – Population: 26,575
• The Colony – Population: 36,328
• Trophy Club – Population: 8,024
• Westlake (Tarrant and Denton Counties) – Population: 702

Unincorporated Communities:

• Bolivar