Farmers Branch, Texas

Farmers Branch, officially the City of Farmers Branch, is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. It is an inner-ring suburb of Dallas and is part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Its population was 35,991 at the 2020 census.[4]

Farmers Branch, Texas
City
Coca-Cola Enterprises offices in Farmers Branch
Coca-Cola Enterprises offices in Farmers Branch
Flag of Farmers Branch, Texas
Flag
Nickname: 
The City in a Park
Location in Dallas County and the state of Texas
Location in Dallas County and the state of Texas
Coordinates: 32°55′44″N 96°52′39″W
Country United States
State Texas
County Dallas
First SettledEarly 1850s
IncorporatedFebruary 23, 1946
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Terry Lynne
District 1 Omar Roman
District 2 Michael Driskill
District 3 Tina Bennett-Burton
District 4 Richard Jackson
District 5 David Merritt[1]
 • City ManagerBen Williamson[2]
Area
[3]
 • City12.04 sq mi (31.18 km2)
 • Land11.88 sq mi (30.77 km2)
 • Water0.16 sq mi (0.41 km2)  0.8%
Elevation
463 ft (141 m)
Population
 (2020)[4]
 • City35,991
 • Estimate 
(2021)
36,442
 • Density4,053.36/sq mi (1,565.02/km2)
 • Urban
5,121,892* (6th)[5]
 • Metro
7,539,711* (4th)[6]
 • CSA
7,957,493* (7th)[7]
 
  • Farmers Branch as part of the Urban, Metro (MSA) & Combined Statistical Areas (CSA)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (Central)
ZIP code
75234, 75244
Area code214, 469, 945, 972
FIPS code48-25452[4]
GNIS feature ID1335711[8]
Interstates
Toll Roads
Websitefarmersbranchtx.gov

Known as a "City in a Park" for its 28 parks in only 12 square miles, Farmers Branch is a small community in close proximity to Dallas, and has a business community that accounts for 80% of the city's tax base, allowing residents to have one of the lower city tax rates in Dallas County, while having dedicated city services and public safety.

History
Historic railroad depot, built 1877

The community was first settled in the early 1850s. In 1842, Thomas Keenan, Isaac B. Webb, and William Cochran received original land grants in the area. By 1843, a community called Mustang Branch had been established. Mr. Cochran later changed the name to Farmers Branch to reflect the area's rich soil and farmland.[9] Farmers Branch was the first location of the Texan Land and Emigration Company (or Peters Colony) in 1845. This made the community one of the best-known places in Dallas County during the 1840s because of its advertising throughout Europe and the United States. Baptist minister William Bowles opened a blacksmith shop and gristmill in 1845. On May 5, 1845, Isaac B. Webb donated land for Webb's Chapel Methodist Church, the first formal place of worship in Dallas County.[9][10] A school was established in the church one year later. Webb became the first postmaster at the Farmers Branch post office, which opened on January 5, 1848. It continued to function until its closure in 1866. The post office reopened in 1875.[11] To assure that railroads would eventually pass through Farmers Branch, prominent early settler Samuel Gilbert and others sold right-of-way through their land in 1874.[10] Around three to four years later, the Dallas and Wichita Railway completed a track from Dallas—through Farmers Branch—to Lewisville. It was absorbed by the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad in 1881. The community had a population around 100 by 1890, with several businesses. The population had grown to 300 during the early 1900s.[9] A brick school building was constructed in 1916. The number of people living in the community remained stable until after World War II.

Farmers Branch was incorporated as a city after an election was held on February 23, 1946.[10] William F. (Bill) Dodson was elected as the city's first mayor. The implementation of city services began immediately after incorporation. In the 1950 census, Farmers Branch had a population of 915. In 1956, a home-rule charter was approved that adopted a council-manager form of government. The rapid growth of the city during the 1950s was made apparent in the 1960 census, which recorded a total of 13,441 residents, a 1,369% increase over the 1950 figure. Most of the new residents commuted to nearby Dallas for employment.[11] The population topped 27,000 by 1970. A variety of manufacturers producing items such as steel products, concrete, asphalt, cosmetics, and food products was operating in the city. The number of residents declined to 24,863 in 1980 and 24,250 in 1990. The falling population was offset, however, by the wide variety of businesses located in the city. Farmers Branch is home to a large number of corporations that have attained frontage along Interstate 635, the Dallas North Tollway, and Interstate 35E. Its Dallas North Tollway segment is part of the Platinum Corridor, and its land along Interstate 635 is an extension of the lengthy Irving Prairie office park. By 2000, the city's population had grown to 27,508.[9] and by 2020 the city's population had grown to 35,991.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.79 sq mi (30.54 km2) with only 0.08% (0.09 sq mi - 0.24 km2) covered by water.[4]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1950915—
196013,4411,369.0%
197027,492104.5%
198024,863−9.6%
199024,250−2.5%
200027,50813.4%
201028,6164.0%
202035,99125.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[12]
JP Morgan Chase Bank in Farmers Branch
Farmers Branch racial composition as of 2020[13]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[lower-alpha 1]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 12,957 36.0%
Black or African American (NH) 2,925 8.13%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 104 0.29%
Asian (NH) 3,132 8.7%
Pacific Islander (NH) 11 0.03%
Some Other Race (NH) 180 0.5%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 1,008 2.8%
Hispanic or Latino 15,674 43.55%
Total 35,991

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 35,991 people, 16,015 households, and 10,119 families residing in the city.

Economy

According to the city's 2018 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report[16] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Internal Revenue Service 1,200
2 Feizy 1,170
3 Brinks Home Security 1,100
4 Anserteam LLC 1,001
5 Telvista 1,000
6 TDIndustries 900
7 Haggar Clothing Company 750
8 IBM 700
9 Encore Enterprises, Inc. 650
10 Glazer's Wholesale Drug Company 650

As of 2012, Farmers Branch had 3,500 companies. Celanese Corporation, Eyemart Express, I2 Technologies, OxyChem, and Varsity Brands have their headquarters in Farmers Branch. Maxim Integrated Products has an office in Farmers Branch.[17] All Smiles Dental Centers formerly had its headquarters in Farmers Branch.[18][19] Excellence Health Inc. has an office in Farmers Branch that covers the Dallas life sciences cluster.

North Central Texas Council of Governments 2018 estimated total employment for the City of Farmers Branch is 78,393. The report is adjusted by the City of Farmers Branch finance department for businesses closed or moved prior to the reporting year.[16]

Government

Politics
Farmers Branch city vote
by party in presidential elections[20]
Year Democratic Republican Third Parties
2020 58.42% 8,588 39.80% 5,851 1.78% 261
2016 49.56% 5,364 45.52% 4,927 4.92% 533
2012 41.14% 3,838 57.13% 5,329 1.73% 161

Local government

According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fund Financial Statements, the city's various funds had $50.0 million in revenues, $64.5 million in expenditures, $33.8 million in total assets, $6.5 million in total liabilities, and $38.2 million in investments.[21]

The structure of the management and co-ordination of city services is:[22]

Department Director
City Manager[23] Ben Williamson
Deputy City Manager[23] Michael Mashburn
Chief of Staff[23] Jawaria Tareen
City Secretary[24] Stacy Henderson
Municipal Judge[25] Terry L. Carnes
Communications[26] Jeff Brady
Community Services[27] Danielle Summers
Neighborhood Services Leo Bonanno
Planning & Zoning[28] Surupa Sen
Economic Development & Tourism[29] Allison Cook
Finance[30] Tammy Zimmerman
Human Resources[31] Yoko Matsumoto
Innovation & Technology Mark A. Samuels
Manske Library[32] Trevor Hunter
Fire Chief[33] Daniel Latimer
Police Chief[34] Kevin McCoy
Parks & Recreation[35] Rachael Arroyo
Public Works[36] Ryan Sartor
Sustainability & Public Health[37] Shane Davis
Fleet & Facilities Management[38] Tom Higgs

The city has its own police department.

Farmers Branch is a voluntary member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments association, the purpose of which is to co-ordinate individual and collective local governments and facilitate regional solutions, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and enable joint decisions.

Public school districts

Residential areas in Farmers Branch are within two school districts.[39][40]

Most of Farmers Branch is a part of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Dave Blair Elementary School,[41] Farmers Branch Elementary School,[42] Janie Stark Elementary School,[43] and Nancy H. Strickland Intermediate School (3–5) are in Farmers Branch.[44] Sections zoned to Strickland for grades 3–5 are zoned to Neil Ray McLaughlin Elementary School (K–2) in Carrollton[45] Vivian C. Field Middle School is in Farmers Branch and serves almost all of the CFBISD portion.[46] R. L. Turner High School in Carrollton also serves almost all of CFBISD Farmers Branch.[47] Residential areas south of Interstate 635 and west of Interstate 35E are zoned to La Villita Elementary School, Barbara Bush Middle School and Ranchview High School in Irving.[48][49][50] CFBISD's Early College High School, an alternative high school, is on the property of Brookhaven College.[51]

Dallas Independent School District also serves a small portion of Farmers Branch.[52] One DISD elementary school, Chapel Hill Preparatory School, known as William L. Cabell Elementary School until its 2018 renaming,[53] is in Farmers Branch.[54] Its current name is a reference to the Chapel Hill community; it was renamed since the former namesake, Mayor of Dallas William Lewis Cabell, served in the Confederate States of America.[55] Other residential portions of DISD Farmers Branch are served by Gooch Elementary.[56] Residential areas in DISD are zoned to Marsh Middle School and W.T. White High School.[57][58]

Mayor Tim O'Hare proposed making a new municipal Farmers Branch school district with the portions currently in CFBISD and DISD. In 2011, about 66% of voters decided against the referendum. At the time, the city did not have the 8,000 children required under Texas law as a requirement for forming a new district, so KTVT (CBS Dallas) stated, "Even if the proposal had passed, there would have been little, if anything, the city could have done to move forward".[59]

Private schools

Mary Immaculate Catholic School, a part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Dallas, is in Farmers Branch.[60] In addition, German International School of Dallas, established in 2009 and serving preschool and elementary school, is in the city limits.[61]

Colleges and universities

The Texas Legislature defines all of Dallas County (Farmers Branch included) as in the service area of Dallas College, as well as all of CFBISD.[62] Brookhaven College of Dallas College is in the Farmers Branch city limits.

Additionally Farmers Branch is home to Dallas Christian College, a four-year Bible college.

Weekend supplementary education

The Japanese School of Dallas, a supplementary Japanese school, previously had its main office in Farmers Branch.[52][63] The school conducts its classes at Ted Polk Middle School in Carrollton.[63] On Monday July 25, 2016 the Japanese Association and the Japanese School offices moved to a new location in Dallas. The classroom location remained the same.[64]

Transportation

Farmers Branch was one of fifteen cities to approve services of Dallas Area Rapid Transit in 1983 by levying a 1 cent sales tax. The city currently receives DART bus service, with service to downtown Dallas (by both regular route and express bus), the adjacent suburb of Carrollton, and crosstown routes as well. On December 6, 2010, the city received light rail transit service with a station near the northeast corner of Interstates 635 and 35E on the Green Line, which runs from Pleasant Grove in southeast Dallas through downtown Dallas following I-35E up to Carrollton at Frankford Road.

The city is between Interstate 35E to the west, the Dallas North Tollway on the east, and Interstate 635 to the south.

Sister cities

Farmers Branch maintains a sister city relationship with Bassetlaw, United Kingdom, and Garbsen, Germany.

Notes
  1. Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[14][15]

References
  1. "City Council". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  2. "City Manager's Office". farmersbranchtx.gov. City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  4. "US Census Quick Facts for Farmers Branch city, Texas". Census.gov. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  5. List of United States urban areas
  6. List of metropolitan statistical areas
  7. Combined statistical area
  8. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  9. "Farmers Branch, Texas". The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  10. "History". City Overview. City of Farmers Branch, Texas. Archived from the original on August 21, 2010. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  11. "Farmers Branch, Texas". Texas Escapes Online Magazine. Retrieved September 20, 2009.
  12. "U,S. Census Farmers Branch city, Texas". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  14. http://www.census.gov
  15. "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  16. "City of Farmers Branch 2018 CAFR". farmersbranchtx.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
  17. "Economic Development Archived 2010-02-13 at the Wayback Machine." City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved on September 30, 2012.
  18. "CORPORATE INTEGRITY AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE OFFICE OF INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AND ALL SMILES DENTAL CENTER, INC." (Archive) Office of the Inspector General, United States Department of Health and Human Services. p. 23. Retrieved on September 22, 2012. "All Smiles: Michael S. J. Lozich, Esq. Chief Compliance Officer All Smiles Dental Centers 4901 LBJ Freeway, Suite 300 Dallas, Texas 75244"
  19. "Sheet No. 23." (Zoning Map) (Archive) City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved on September 23, 2012.
  20. "Dallas County Election Results".
  21. City of Farmers Branch 2009 CAFR retrieved 2010-11-11
  22. City of Farmers Branch 2009 CAFR retrieved 2010-11-11
  23. "City Manager's Office". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  24. "City Secretary". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved February 18, 2023.
  25. "Municipal Judge". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  26. "Communications". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  27. "Community Services". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  28. "Planning & Zoning". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  29. "Economic Development & Tourism". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  30. "Finance Department". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  31. "Human Resources". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  32. "Manske Library". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  33. "Fire Department". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved April 27, 2021.
  34. "Police Department". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  35. "Parks & Recreation". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  36. "Public Works". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  37. "Sustainability & Public Health". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  38. "Fleet & Facilities Management". City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved June 3, 2019.
  39. "Zoning Map Archived 2014-04-30 at the Wayback Machine." City of Farmers Branch. Updated March 2013. Retrieved on July 14, 2016. The zoning map shows which areas are zoned for residential use, and only residential-zoned areas are considered in regards to which school zones serve the city.
  40. "Existing Land Use." City of Farmers Branch. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  41. "Home Archived 2012-08-10 at the Wayback Machine." Dave Blair Elementary School. Retrieved on May 5, 2014. "14055 Heartside Dr. Farmers Branch, TX 75234"
  42. "Farmers Branch Elementary Attendance Area." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  43. "Janie Stark Elementary Attendance Area Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  44. "Neil Ray McLaughlin Elementary School Attendance Area." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  45. "Nancy H. Strickland Intermediate School Attendance Area." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  46. "Vivian Field Middle School Attendance Area." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  47. "R.L. Turner High School Attendance Area Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  48. "La Villita Elementary School Attendance Area." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  49. "Barbara Bush Middle School Attendance Area Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  50. "Ranchview High School Attendance Area Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine." Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District. Retrieved on July 14, 2016.
  51. "Early College High School". Brookhaven College. Retrieved April 20, 2019.
  52. "City of Farmers Branch District Zoning Map" (Archive). City of Farmers Branch. Adopted February 24, 1969. Updated March 2013. Retrieved on April 30, 2014.
  53. Zoga, Diana (December 14, 2017). "Dallas School Board Approves New Names for Three Schools Currently Named After Confederate Generals". KXAS-TV (NBC DFW). Retrieved December 14, 2017.
  54. "2015-16 William L. Cabell Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 10, 2016.
  55. Smith, Corbett (December 16, 2017). "Schools honoring Confederate generals get new names as Dallas ISD pledges to strive for equity". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved December 17, 2017. William L. Cabell Elementary will become Chapel Hill Preparatory, named after the surrounding community in Farmers Branch.
  56. "Tom C. Gooch Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on May 5, 2014.
  57. "2013-14 Thomas C. Marsh Middle Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on May 5, 2014.
  58. "2013-14 W. T. White High Attendance Zone Grades 9-12." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on May 5, 2014.
  59. "Farmers Branch Voters Say No To Separate ISD". CBS DFW. Archived from the original on May 5, 2014. ()
  60. "Home." Mary Immaculate Catholic School. Retrieved on May 5, 2014. "14032 Dennis Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75234"
  61. "Home (Elementary)". German International School of Dallas. Retrieved November 16, 2019. Postal Address 12411 Templeton Trl, Dallas, TX, 75234 - Despite the city name stated as "Dallas, TX", it is physically in the Farmers Branch city limits.
  62. Texas Education Code: Sec. 130.176. DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  63. "学校紹介 Archived March 30, 2014, at the Wayback Machine." Japanese School of Dallas. Retrieved on March 30, 2014. "学校所在地 JAPANESE SCHOOL OF DALLAS C/O TED POLK MIDDLE SCHOOL 2001 KELLY BLVD. CARROLLTON, TEXAS 75006" and "事務局所在地 JAPANESE SCHOOL OF DALLAS 4100 ALPHA RD. SUITE 917 DALLAS, TEXAS 75244"
  64. Home page. Japanese School of Dallas. Retrieved on July 15, 2016. "ダラス補習校＆ダラス日本人会事務所移転のお知らせ 現在使用しております事務所は、7月25日（月）より下記住所に移転します。 それに伴い７月20日（水）～22日（金）は移転作業を行います。[...]校舎所在地には変更はありません。 事務所新住所：4101 McEwen Suite 245, Dallas, TX 75244"
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