Roanoke, TX -- June 23, 2020

For the archives.

I spent a bit of time out in Roanoke, TX, tonight. I was blown away. They say Roanoke will be the DFW metroplex population center in 2050. In other words, draw a circle around what the DFW metroplex is expected to encompass in 2050 and the center of that circle will be Roanoke.

The Texas Motor Speedway and Buc-ee's is at the east/west-north/south intersection of Roanoke.

From H. David Ballinger, realtor:

The Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington Metropolitan Area (aka DFW metroplex, Dallas metroplex, DFW area, north Texas) encompasses thirteen north Texas counties, Collin, Dallas, Denton, Ellis, Hood, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Somervell, Tarrant (Ft Worth) and Wise.

For 2016, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated the DFW metroplex population to be 7,233,323, which is more than all but three other U.S. metro areas and 38 U.S. states.

The Dallas County population was nearly 2.6 million and the population of Tarrant County (Ft Worth) was just over 2 million. The number of residents living in each of the other DFW metroplex counties was less than 1 million.

The DFW metroplex is quite large, covering 9,286 square miles. Nearly 9,000 square miles of the DFW area is land, which is larger than the land areas of six U.S. states, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Jersey, Connecticut, Delaware and Rhode Island, and about the same as the land area of the state of New Hampshire.

While the largest cities in the DFW area are fairly densely populated with greater than 3,500 residents per square mile, the population density for the area overall is less than 800 residents per square mile. For comparison, Manhattan, NYC, has a population density of over 70,000 people per square mile.

From the Roanoke chamber of commerce:

“Roanoke is located in the center of the fastest growing area of the state and is now the central point to the DFW Metroplex, as projected over ten years ago.

Year after year, we have experienced prosperity, strong economic growth, a low crime rate, a highly rated school district, and a wide range of affordable housing, while retaining our charming, small town feel, and friendly atmosphere. Roanoke continues to be a great place to live, dine, shop and play, proven by the unprecented, accelerated growth we’ve experienced in the quality retail, industrial and residential development. ​

Roanoke has many amenities that were built for our residents but also for our neighboring cities to enjoy. We have a state-of-the-art, 15,000-square-foot Library that is occupied daily with hundreds of residents and guests. Our Recreation Center provides many programs for small children up to our seniors. Roanoke is second to none as a destination. We continue to attract "Unique" restaurants. The City of Roanoke is still one of the lowest combined property tax rates in the state, with more to offer than most small communities in our area.

Schwab is building a huge complex in Roanoke. TD Ameritrade has a huge complex "across the street" from Schwab.