Denton, Texas
Encyclopedia
The city of Denton is the county seat
of Denton County, Texas
in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
. Geographically, it is situated 38 miles (61.2 km) south of the Oklahoma–Texas border and 39 miles (62.8 km) northwest of Dallas.
Denton is home to two state universities, the University of North Texas
, the largest university in North Texas, and Texas Woman's University
, a historically single-sex college completely co-ed since 1994. Altogether, over 45,000 students participate in courses at the two universities. The presence of these two large universities leads to Denton being characterized frequently as a college town
.
A Texas land grant led to the formation of Denton County in 1846, and the city in 1857. Both were named after pioneer and Texas militia captain John B. Denton
. The establishment of the two universities helped distinguish the city from neighboring regions. As a result, educational services, as well as retail trade, play the largest roles in Denton's economy. The town is known for its active music life, which Paste
magazine named America's "Best Music Scene" in 2008. The annual North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
and the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
are major events that attract over 300,000 people. Denton has seen considerable growth in recent years and in 2006, Money
magazine named Denton No. 58 out of the "Top 100 Best Places to Live in America."
, there is no record of a large native-American population in the area before 1800. European settlement began in mid-19th century when William S. Peters of Kentucky obtained a land grant
from the Texas Congress and named it Peters Colony. After initial settlement in the southeast area in 1843, the Texas legislature voted to form Denton County in 1846. Residents chose two different county seats (Pinckneyville and Alton) before voting on Denton as the final county seat in 1857. Both the county and the town were named in honor of John B. Denton
, a preacher and lawyer, who was killed in a 1841 battle led by General Edward H. Tarrant against Keechi Indians
. A commission composed of Otis G. Welch and others laid out the city and named the first streets in 1857. Denton was not incorporated until 1866; its first mayor was J.B. Sawyer.
The city expanded greatly as it became a strong agricultural trade center and manufacturing destination for mills and cottage industries. The creation of the Texas and Pacific Railway
in 1881 gave Denton its first rail connection, and brought an influx of people to the area. Despite this, it did not develop into a strong manufacturing location, relying instead on agricultural workforces.
Denton became a college town
when North Texas Normal College (now the University of North Texas) was established in 1890 and the Girls' Industrial College (now Texas Woman's University) in 1903. As the universities increased in size, their impact on Denton's economy and culture also grew.
At one time considered the cultural center of Denton, the area surrounding Fry Street was home to a group of shops, music venues, and restaurants. Many of the buildings were originally constructed in the 1920s. From 1914 to 1959, Denton was governed under a mayor-city commission form of government, but a new charter adopted in the latter year switched the city to a council-manager form of government.
In 1954 the regional office of the Federal Civil Defense Administration
moved from Dallas to Denton, and a few years later a large underground shelter was completed. For a time it was the only FCDA underground shelter and was designated as the place from which the president of the United States and other federal officials would direct the country in case of attack. The FCDA shelter would later become the headquarters of FEMA
Region VI.
Denton grew rapidly from a population of 26,844 in 1960, to 48,063 in 1980. Its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, directly connected via Interstate 35
, played a major role in this growth. The opening of the DFW International Airport
in 1974 led to a small spurt in population. Older manufacturing firms with significant employment such as Moore's Business Forms and Morrison Milling Company were joined by heavy manufacturing companies like Victor Equipment Company in the mid-1960s and Peterbilt
in 1980, and led to increased local employment. The population jumped from 66,270 in 1990 to 80,537 in 2000.
In May 2006, the 100-block of the historic Fry Street area was purchased by United Equities, a Houston-based real estate company, which announced that several of the historic buildings would be demolished to accommodate a new mixed-use commercial center. The proposal drew opposition from residents, who sought to preserve Fry Street as a historic and cultural icon for the city. After a new proposal by Dinerstein Cos, the city council approved the project in mid-2010.
at the intersection of I-35 and U.S. Highways
380, 377 and 77. It is also here that I-35 splits into I-35E
and I-35W
to reach Dallas and Fort Worth, respectively. These three cities form the area known as the "Golden Triangle of North Texas." Lake Lewisville, a fishing destination named the "Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas", is located 15 miles (24.1 km) south of the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 62.3 square miles (161.4 km²), of which, 61.5 square miles (159.3 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (1.33%) is water. The land lies in the northeast edge of the Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin
, which is characterized by flat terrain. Elevation ranges from 500 to 900 ft (152.4 to 274.3 ). Underneath the city is a portion of the Barnett Shale
, a geological formation believed to contain large quantities of natural gas
.
area. Although tornadoes rarely form, tornado watches are issued by the National Weather Service
. Flash floods and severe thunderstorms are frequent occurrences during the months of spring.
The city's all-time high temperature is 113 °F (45 °C), recorded in 1954, while the all-time recorded low is -3 °F. Denton receives approximately 37.7 inches (95.8 cm) of rain per year.
Denton has a population of 119,454 according to July 2008 population estimates, making it the 207th largest city in the U.S. and the 23rd largest in Texas. Along with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it has grown steadily in recent years, becoming the tenth fastest-growing city over 100,000 from July 2006 to July 2007.
As of the 2000 census
, there were 80,537 residents, known as "Dentonites", 30,895 households, and 16,405 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,309.7 people per square mile (505.7/km²). There were 32,716 housing units at an average density of 532.0 per square mile (205.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.62% White, 9.12% African American, 3.39% Asian, 0.58% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.85% from other races
, and 2.40% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race comprised 16.38% of the population.
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 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
was $19,365. About 8.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
The economy of Denton is primarily composed of educational services, health and social services, manufacturing and general retail trade. Organizations in these sectors employ over 20,000 people. Wholesale trade and hospitality jobs also play major roles. The city employs more than 1,300 people, 300 of whom are public safety personnel. The three educational institutions, University of North Texas
, Denton Independent School District
, and Texas Woman's University
, are the largest employers, providing more than 12,000 jobs. Notable businesses headquartered in Denton include truck manufacturer Peterbilt
, beauty supplier Sally Beauty Company, and jewelry producer Jostens
. The Golden Triangle Mall
, the city's largest shopping complex
with over 90 specialty shops
, is a major source of retail trade.
, which attracts over 200,000 people each year for live music, food, crafts, and recreation at the Civic Center Park. Bands such as Tower of Power
, Brave Combo
and Arturo Sandoval
have performed at the festival, as well as University of North Texas jazz groups.
The annual North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
started in 1928, and promotes the cowboy
-culture of Texas. Besides the rodeo, the event features several local country-rock performances, pageants and food contests. This fair brings in over 150,000 people during its average 9 day run. The North Texas State Fairgrounds has hosted the carnival since 1948.
Every year as part of the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival, the downtown square is adorned with lights and spotlighted with live music by Grammy award-winner Brave Combo
. The Denton Air Fair, a nonprofit group, has hosted the annual Denton Airshow since 1998. The family event, which attracts 9,000 attendees, has aerial demonstrations and airplane exhibits. As the "Redbud Capital of Texas", Denton hosts a free Redbud Festival. Lesser known events include the Fiesta on the Square, and Thin Line Documentary Film Fest. The Fry Street Fair was started by the Beta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu in 1980. It was held every spring and was discontinued in 2007, the Fry Street Fair was held near the University of North Texas campus and featured live music performances. The event was held annually since 1980 but was shut down due to costs and security concerns. Attendance reached 20,000 in its peak year.
's College of Music, an institution recognized in the United States. The college's Jazz Studies program, established in 1947, was the first of its kind in the country. In more recent years, the college's Center for Experimental Music
and Intermedia
(CEMI) has developed its reputation as a center for music research and creation.
The local independent music scene has emerged alongside Denton's academic music establishments. Brave Combo
, a Grammy award-winning polka band based in Denton, plays frequent shows in local festivals. Several notable bands and performers have attended the University of North Texas and signed to major labels, including Roy Orbison
, Eli Young Band
, Bowling for Soup
, Fishboy
, and Midlake
. The local bars and recording studios on the historic Fry Street district and town square are host to other local performers.
The city's live music venues are largely supported by Denton's college town atmosphere, although show attendance is often partly composed of Dallas/Ft.Worth music listeners. As a result of this expanded fanbase, the weekly alternative newspaper, Dallas Observer
, began a column on Denton's local music. In 2007 and 2008, Denton's music scene received feature attention from The Guardian
, Pop Matters, and The New York Times
. Paste Magazine named Denton the best music scene in the United States in 2008. In recent years, Denton's music scene has been compared to Austin, Texas
, which itself is nicknamed the "live music capital of the world". There are a number of local music venues and commercial recording studios, including Abbey Underground, Hailey's Club, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios and Dan's Silverleaf. With hopes of creating a live music event similar to South by Southwest
(SXSW), Denton held the first annual North by 35
(NX35) music festival in March 2009.
Texas Woman's University
and University of North Texas
field a variety of college teams as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
(NCAA). Apogee Stadium is host to UNT football games and can seat 30,850 people. The local high schools have large athletics programs which draw attendance from the general public, especially for high school football games.
City sports clubs include a rugby and baseball team. The Denton Rugby Football Club was formed in 1979 after the folding of the North Texas State University Rugby Club. As part of the Texas Rugby Union, the club has seen some success over the past few years, including winning the Texas Rugby Union Championship, Western Rugby Union Championship, and playing in the National Quarterfinals in Reno, Nevada in 2004. The city is also home to the Denton Outlaws
baseball team, a former member of the Texas Collegiate League
.
of Denton County and is operated under a council-manager form of government. Denton is represented by a mayor, four council members, two at-large members and an appointed city manager. Elections are held yearly during the month of May with terms lasting for two years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. The current mayor is Mark Burroughs. Denton is in the U.S. House 26th Congressional district
, and is represented by Representative Michael C. Burgess
. In the Texas Legislature
, the city is in the 30th District
in the Texas Senate
, represented by Republican Craig Estes. It is in the 64th District
in the Texas House of Representatives
, having been served by Republican Myra Crownover
since 2000.
Several Texas
state agencies have facilities in the city. The facilities include a Texas Workforce Center
, a driver license/highway patrol
office, and the TDCJ
Denton District Parole Office. The Denton State Supported Living Center (formerly Denton State School), established in 1960, is the largest residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in Texas. The center serves an 18-county area and approximately 1,500 people work at the state-supported living center. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) has its Region VI headquarters in Denton.
(UNT) in Denton is the flagship university of the University of North Texas System
, which also includes the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, the University of North Texas at Dallas
and the soon to be established UNT School of Law. With an enrollment of over 36,000 students, it is the fourth-largest university in the state. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
(SACS). Its College of Music
became nationally recognized for the study in jazz after becoming the first school to offer a degree in that field.
Texas Woman's University
(TWU) is a university with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas. Founded in 1901, the university enrolls more than 13,000 undergraduates and graduates. Men have been admitted to TWU since 1972. In addition to being the largest state-supported university for women in the United States, TWU’s College of Nursing is the largest in Texas and the 11th largest in the U.S. TWU’s nursing doctoral program is the largest in the world.
North Central Texas College
, a community college in nearby Corinth
, is also attended by many Denton students.
(DISD) covers the educational system for the city, which consists of three high schools, one alternative high school, and primary schools comprising over 25,000 students. Small portions of the city extend into the neighboring school districts of Argyle
and Sanger
. Denton is host to several private schools with religious affiliations and alternative education models.
card.
has been the official daily newspaper of Denton and Denton County. When it was acquired by Belo Corporation in 1999, the newspaper had a circulation of 16,000. The North Texas Daily and The Lasso provide daily and weekly college news to students at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University.
The city's public television station, Denton TV (DTV), covers city council meetings, restaurant scores, high school football and educational programming. UNT's station, NTTV
, is broadcast 24 hours a day on local channels provided by Charter Communications
and Verizon FiOS
. NTTV Nightly News is broadcast live Monday through Thursday. KNTU
88.1 FM is UNT's official radio station. First aired in 1969, the station primarily plays a mixture of jazz and blues and covers local sports and news.
(DCTA) which operates express coach service to downtown Dallas
and Lewisville
along with local fixed route and paratransit service throughout the city. In 2011, the Downtown Denton Transit Center
and Medpark Station
opened as commuter rail stations on DCTA's A-train
. DCTA also operates local bus service within the city and special university shuttles. Paratransit
service for senior citizens and/or people with disabilities of all ages is offered by Special Programs for Aging Needs (SPAN), a non-profit organization.
Interstate 35 splits in Denton near the North Texas campus, with 35E
heading to Dallas and 35W
to Fort Worth. Loop 288
partially encircles the city; it passes through the northern limits of the city by C. H. Collins Athletic Complex
and the eastern side near Golden Triangle Mall. Highway 77 and 377 go through the historic town square and Highway 380 connects Denton to Frisco
in the east and Decatur
on the west.
Denton Municipal Airport
is a public airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the central business district (CBD) of Denton. This airport serves as home to various cargo and charter operators as well as two flight schools. A new terminal opened in 2008, but as of June 2008 no scheduled commuter service is in place.
(now a Level III Trauma Center) is a full service hospital operated by Hospital Corporation of America and is located southeast of downtown Denton. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton (formerly Denton Community Hospital) is the other full-service hospital, located on the southern end. Each employ more than 800 employees and are licensed with more than 200 beds and emergency services.
. Numerous initiatives are underway to maintain and improve the environmental quality in the area. Charter Communications and Verizon provide the majority of cable, phone and Internet services.
Denton's position as a cultural and educational center for the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex has resulted in many notable people having resided in the city, either natively or through attendance at the local universities. As a city with a recognized music program in the University of North Texas, many of the notable residents have a background in music. Singers and bands from UNT that have achieved critical acclaim in the form of Grammy nominations or awards include Norah Jones
, Bowling for Soup
, Don Henley
, Meat Loaf
, Roy Orbison
, Midlake
, The Riverboat Gamblers
and Brave Combo
. In addition to these names, Deep Blue Something
and the Eli Young Band
have also signed on with major labels. A number of people born in Denton have careers in the arts and entertainment business such as former Miss America Phyllis George
, funk musician Sly Stone
, and actress Ann Sheridan
.
Admiral Edward Walter Eberle
, third Chief of Naval Operations
, was born in Denton, Texas in 1864.
program and maintains cultural and economic exchange programs with its sister city.
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Denton County, Texas
Denton County, Texas
Denton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Texas. In 2000, its population was 432,976; in 2009 the estimated population had reached 628,300. Part of the Dallas – Fort Worth Metroplex, it is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. The county seat is Denton. The county...
in the United States. Its population was 119,454 according to the 2010 U.S. Census, making it the eleventh largest city in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
. Geographically, it is situated 38 miles (61.2 km) south of the Oklahoma–Texas border and 39 miles (62.8 km) northwest of Dallas.
Denton is home to two state universities, the University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
, the largest university in North Texas, and Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a co-educational university in Denton, Texas, United States with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas...
, a historically single-sex college completely co-ed since 1994. Altogether, over 45,000 students participate in courses at the two universities. The presence of these two large universities leads to Denton being characterized frequently as a college town
College town
A college town or university town is a community which is dominated by its university population...
.
A Texas land grant led to the formation of Denton County in 1846, and the city in 1857. Both were named after pioneer and Texas militia captain John B. Denton
John B. Denton
John Barnard Denton was a Methodist Episcopal Church minister, lawyer, soldier, and political candidate for whom both Denton County, Texas and the city of Denton, Texas were named...
. The establishment of the two universities helped distinguish the city from neighboring regions. As a result, educational services, as well as retail trade, play the largest roles in Denton's economy. The town is known for its active music life, which Paste
Paste (magazine)
Paste is a monthly music and entertainment digital magazine published in the United States by Wolfgang's Vault. Its tagline is "Signs of Life in Music, Film and Culture."-History:...
magazine named America's "Best Music Scene" in 2008. The annual North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo is a fair held in Denton, Texas. This annual fair is compact by state fair standards, yet covers every aspect a local fair would encompass.The fair brings in over 100,000 people annually during its average 9 day run....
and the Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
Denton Arts and Jazz Festival
The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is a free 2½ day event held the last weekend of every April in the city of Denton, Texas. Produced by the Denton Festival Foundation, and sponsored by the City of Denton and corporate sponsors, it brings over 200,000 people each year for live music, fine art, food,...
are major events that attract over 300,000 people. Denton has seen considerable growth in recent years and in 2006, Money
Money (magazine)
Money is published by Time Inc. Its first issue was published in October 1972. Its articles cover the gamut of personal finance topics ranging from investing, saving, retirement and taxes to family finance issues like paying for college, credit, career and home improvement...
magazine named Denton No. 58 out of the "Top 100 Best Places to Live in America."
History
The formation of Denton is closely tied with that of Denton County. Unlike other neighboring cities in North TexasNorth Texas
North Texas is a distinct cultural and geographic area forming the central-northeastern section of the U.S. state of Texas. North Texas is generally considered to include the area south of Oklahoma, east of Abilene, and north of Waco...
, there is no record of a large native-American population in the area before 1800. European settlement began in mid-19th century when William S. Peters of Kentucky obtained a land grant
Land grant
A land grant is a gift of real estate – land or its privileges – made by a government or other authority as a reward for services to an individual, especially in return for military service...
from the Texas Congress and named it Peters Colony. After initial settlement in the southeast area in 1843, the Texas legislature voted to form Denton County in 1846. Residents chose two different county seats (Pinckneyville and Alton) before voting on Denton as the final county seat in 1857. Both the county and the town were named in honor of John B. Denton
John B. Denton
John Barnard Denton was a Methodist Episcopal Church minister, lawyer, soldier, and political candidate for whom both Denton County, Texas and the city of Denton, Texas were named...
, a preacher and lawyer, who was killed in a 1841 battle led by General Edward H. Tarrant against Keechi Indians
Keechi Indians
The Kichai tribe was a Native American Southern Plains tribe that inhabited northeastern Texas.-History:Their name for themselves was K'itaish, and they are most closely related to the Pawnee...
. A commission composed of Otis G. Welch and others laid out the city and named the first streets in 1857. Denton was not incorporated until 1866; its first mayor was J.B. Sawyer.
The city expanded greatly as it became a strong agricultural trade center and manufacturing destination for mills and cottage industries. The creation of the Texas and Pacific Railway
Texas and Pacific Railway
The Texas and Pacific Railway Company was created by federal charter in 1871 with the purpose of building a southern transcontinental railroad between Marshall, Texas, and San Diego, California....
in 1881 gave Denton its first rail connection, and brought an influx of people to the area. Despite this, it did not develop into a strong manufacturing location, relying instead on agricultural workforces.
Denton became a college town
College town
A college town or university town is a community which is dominated by its university population...
when North Texas Normal College (now the University of North Texas) was established in 1890 and the Girls' Industrial College (now Texas Woman's University) in 1903. As the universities increased in size, their impact on Denton's economy and culture also grew.
At one time considered the cultural center of Denton, the area surrounding Fry Street was home to a group of shops, music venues, and restaurants. Many of the buildings were originally constructed in the 1920s. From 1914 to 1959, Denton was governed under a mayor-city commission form of government, but a new charter adopted in the latter year switched the city to a council-manager form of government.
In 1954 the regional office of the Federal Civil Defense Administration
Federal Civil Defense Administration
The Federal Civil Defense Administration was organized by Democratic president Harry S. Truman on December 1, 1950, and became an official government agency on January 12, 1951...
moved from Dallas to Denton, and a few years later a large underground shelter was completed. For a time it was the only FCDA underground shelter and was designated as the place from which the president of the United States and other federal officials would direct the country in case of attack. The FCDA shelter would later become the headquarters of FEMA
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
Region VI.
Denton grew rapidly from a population of 26,844 in 1960, to 48,063 in 1980. Its proximity to the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, directly connected via Interstate 35
Interstate 35
Interstate 35 is a north–south Interstate Highway in the central United States. I-35 stretches from Laredo, Texas, on the U.S.-Mexico border to Duluth, Minnesota, at Minnesota Highway 61 and 26th Avenue East. Many interstates used to have splits or spurs indicated with suffixed letters , but I-35...
, played a major role in this growth. The opening of the DFW International Airport
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is located between the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, and is the busiest airport in the U.S. state of Texas...
in 1974 led to a small spurt in population. Older manufacturing firms with significant employment such as Moore's Business Forms and Morrison Milling Company were joined by heavy manufacturing companies like Victor Equipment Company in the mid-1960s and Peterbilt
Peterbilt
Peterbilt Motors Company is an American manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty Class 5 through Class 8 trucks headquartered in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1939 Peterbilt operates manufacturing facilities in Denton, Texas , and Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec...
in 1980, and led to increased local employment. The population jumped from 66,270 in 1990 to 80,537 in 2000.
In May 2006, the 100-block of the historic Fry Street area was purchased by United Equities, a Houston-based real estate company, which announced that several of the historic buildings would be demolished to accommodate a new mixed-use commercial center. The proposal drew opposition from residents, who sought to preserve Fry Street as a historic and cultural icon for the city. After a new proposal by Dinerstein Cos, the city council approved the project in mid-2010.
Geography
Geographically, Denton is located on the northern edge of the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan areaDallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
at the intersection of I-35 and U.S. Highways
United States Numbered Highways
The system of United States Numbered Highways is an integrated system of roads and highways in the United States numbered within a nationwide grid...
380, 377 and 77. It is also here that I-35 splits into I-35E
Interstate 35E (Texas)
Interstate 35E , an Interstate Highway, is the eastern half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35E runs north for , maintaining I-35's sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Dallas before...
and I-35W
Interstate 35W (Texas)
Interstate 35W , an Interstate Highway, is the western half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35W runs north for , carrying its own separate sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Fort Worth...
to reach Dallas and Fort Worth, respectively. These three cities form the area known as the "Golden Triangle of North Texas." Lake Lewisville, a fishing destination named the "Urban Bass Fishing Capital of Texas", is located 15 miles (24.1 km) south of the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 62.3 square miles (161.4 km²), of which, 61.5 square miles (159.3 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.1 km²) of it (1.33%) is water. The land lies in the northeast edge of the Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin
Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin
The Bend Arch–Fort Worth Basin Province is a major petroleum producing geological system which is primarily located in north central Texas and southwestern Oklahoma...
, which is characterized by flat terrain. Elevation ranges from 500 to 900 ft (152.4 to 274.3 ). Underneath the city is a portion of the Barnett Shale
Barnett Shale
The Barnett Shale is a geological formation located in the Bend Arch-Fort Worth Basin. It consists of sedimentary rocks of Mississippian age in Texas...
, a geological formation believed to contain large quantities of natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
.
Climate
With its hot, humid summers and cool winters, the climate of Denton is characterized as humid subtropical. Dry winds reach the area in the summer and can bring temperatures to 100 °F (37.8 °C), although the average summer temperature is in the mid-90s. The coolest month is January with temperatures dropping down to an average minimum of 32 °F (0 °C). Average snowfall in Denton is similar to the Dallas-Fort Worth average of 2.4 inches (6.1 cm) per year. Denton lies on the bottom end of the Tornado AlleyTornado Alley
Tornado Alley is a colloquial and popular media term that most often refers to the area of the United States where tornadoes are most frequent. Although an official location is not defined, the area between the Rocky Mountains and Appalachian Mountains is usually associated with it.The areas...
area. Although tornadoes rarely form, tornado watches are issued by the National Weather Service
National Weather Service
The National Weather Service , once known as the Weather Bureau, is one of the six scientific agencies that make up the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the United States government...
. Flash floods and severe thunderstorms are frequent occurrences during the months of spring.
The city's all-time high temperature is 113 °F (45 °C), recorded in 1954, while the all-time recorded low is -3 °F. Denton receives approximately 37.7 inches (95.8 cm) of rain per year.
Demographics
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 21,345 |
| 1960 | 26,844 |
| 1970 | 39,874 |
| 1980 | 48,063 |
| 1990 | 66,270 |
| 2000 | 82,976 |
| 2010 | 119,454 |
Denton has a population of 119,454 according to July 2008 population estimates, making it the 207th largest city in the U.S. and the 23rd largest in Texas. Along with the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, it has grown steadily in recent years, becoming the tenth fastest-growing city over 100,000 from July 2006 to July 2007.
As of the 2000 census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
, there were 80,537 residents, known as "Dentonites", 30,895 households, and 16,405 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,309.7 people per square mile (505.7/km²). There were 32,716 housing units at an average density of 532.0 per square mile (205.4/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.62% White, 9.12% African American, 3.39% Asian, 0.58% Native American, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.85% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 2.40% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race comprised 16.38% of the population.
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 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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
was $19,365. About 8.7% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
| # | Employer | # of Employees | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of North Texas University of North Texas The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067... |
7,351 | ||
| 2 | Denton Independent School District Denton Independent School District Denton Independent School District, sometimes shortened to Denton ISD, is a school district based in Denton, Texas. The district covers all or parts of the following cities – Denton, Bartonville, Copper Canyon, Corinth, Cross Roads, Double Oak, Lincoln Park, Oak Point, and Shady Shores... |
3,113 | ||
| 3 | Texas Woman’s University | 1,586 | ||
| 4 | Denton County | 1,523 | ||
| 5 | Peterbilt Motors | 1,500 | Denton electricity | 1,250 |
The economy of Denton is primarily composed of educational services, health and social services, manufacturing and general retail trade. Organizations in these sectors employ over 20,000 people. Wholesale trade and hospitality jobs also play major roles. The city employs more than 1,300 people, 300 of whom are public safety personnel. The three educational institutions, University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
, Denton Independent School District
Denton Independent School District
Denton Independent School District, sometimes shortened to Denton ISD, is a school district based in Denton, Texas. The district covers all or parts of the following cities – Denton, Bartonville, Copper Canyon, Corinth, Cross Roads, Double Oak, Lincoln Park, Oak Point, and Shady Shores...
, and Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a co-educational university in Denton, Texas, United States with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas...
, are the largest employers, providing more than 12,000 jobs. Notable businesses headquartered in Denton include truck manufacturer Peterbilt
Peterbilt
Peterbilt Motors Company is an American manufacturer of medium- and heavy-duty Class 5 through Class 8 trucks headquartered in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1939 Peterbilt operates manufacturing facilities in Denton, Texas , and Sainte-Thérèse, Quebec...
, beauty supplier Sally Beauty Company, and jewelry producer Jostens
Jostens
Jostens is an American company providing yearbooks and class rings for various high schools and colleges as well as championship rings for sports, including the Super Bowl rings....
. The Golden Triangle Mall
Golden Triangle Mall
Golden Triangle Mall is an enclosed, single-level, shopping mall located at the intersection of Loop 288 and I-35E in Denton, Texas. It contains 7 major anchors, a playplace, and total leasable floor area of total.-History:...
, the city's largest shopping complex
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
with over 90 specialty shops
Specialty store
Specialty stores are small stores which specialize in a specific range of merchandise and related items. Most stores have an extensive depth of stock in the item that they specialize in and provide high levels of service and expertise...
, is a major source of retail trade.
Culture and recreation
The Courthouse Square Historic District prominently features the Courthouse-on-the-Square, which now serves as a museum showcasing area history and culture. Listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, this former county courthouse was restored in time for the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986. The positive response to the renovation sparked a downtown revitalization program that generated new jobs and reinvestment capital. Bordered by Hickory, Oak, Locust, and Elm streets, the downtown square is surrounded by many shops and restaurants, some of which have been in business since the 1940s.Festivals and activities
Denton is home to several annual fairs and events that cater to both residents and tourists. The largest of these is the city-sponsored Denton Arts and Jazz FestivalDenton Arts and Jazz Festival
The Denton Arts & Jazz Festival is a free 2½ day event held the last weekend of every April in the city of Denton, Texas. Produced by the Denton Festival Foundation, and sponsored by the City of Denton and corporate sponsors, it brings over 200,000 people each year for live music, fine art, food,...
, which attracts over 200,000 people each year for live music, food, crafts, and recreation at the Civic Center Park. Bands such as Tower of Power
Tower of Power
Tower of Power is an American R&B-based horn section and band, originating in Oakland, California, that has been performing for over 43 years. They are best known for their funky soul sound highlighted by a powerful horn section...
, Brave Combo
Brave Combo
Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years...
and Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval
Arturo Sandoval is a jazz trumpeter and pianist. He was born in Artemisa, in the newest renamed Artemisa Province, Cuba....
have performed at the festival, as well as University of North Texas jazz groups.
The annual North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
North Texas State Fair and Rodeo
The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo is a fair held in Denton, Texas. This annual fair is compact by state fair standards, yet covers every aspect a local fair would encompass.The fair brings in over 100,000 people annually during its average 9 day run....
started in 1928, and promotes the cowboy
Cowboy
A cowboy is an animal herder who tends cattle on ranches in North America, traditionally on horseback, and often performs a multitude of other ranch-related tasks. The historic American cowboy of the late 19th century arose from the vaquero traditions of northern Mexico and became a figure of...
-culture of Texas. Besides the rodeo, the event features several local country-rock performances, pageants and food contests. This fair brings in over 150,000 people during its average 9 day run. The North Texas State Fairgrounds has hosted the carnival since 1948.
Every year as part of the Denton Holiday Lighting Festival, the downtown square is adorned with lights and spotlighted with live music by Grammy award-winner Brave Combo
Brave Combo
Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years...
. The Denton Air Fair, a nonprofit group, has hosted the annual Denton Airshow since 1998. The family event, which attracts 9,000 attendees, has aerial demonstrations and airplane exhibits. As the "Redbud Capital of Texas", Denton hosts a free Redbud Festival. Lesser known events include the Fiesta on the Square, and Thin Line Documentary Film Fest. The Fry Street Fair was started by the Beta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Alpha Mu in 1980. It was held every spring and was discontinued in 2007, the Fry Street Fair was held near the University of North Texas campus and featured live music performances. The event was held annually since 1980 but was shut down due to costs and security concerns. Attendance reached 20,000 in its peak year.
Music
The lively music culture in Denton originated in the University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
's College of Music, an institution recognized in the United States. The college's Jazz Studies program, established in 1947, was the first of its kind in the country. In more recent years, the college's Center for Experimental Music
Experimental music
Experimental music refers, in the English-language literature, to a compositional tradition which arose in the mid-20th century, applied particularly in North America to music composed in such a way that its outcome is unforeseeable. Its most famous and influential exponent was John Cage...
and Intermedia
Intermedia
Intermedia was a concept employed in the mid-sixties by Fluxus artist Dick Higgins to describe the ineffable, often confusing, inter-disciplinary activities that occur between genres that became prevalent in the 1960s. Thus, the areas such as those between drawing and poetry, or between painting...
(CEMI) has developed its reputation as a center for music research and creation.
The local independent music scene has emerged alongside Denton's academic music establishments. Brave Combo
Brave Combo
Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years...
, a Grammy award-winning polka band based in Denton, plays frequent shows in local festivals. Several notable bands and performers have attended the University of North Texas and signed to major labels, including Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
, Eli Young Band
Eli Young Band
Eli Young Band is an American country music band based in Denton, Texas. The band is composed of Mike Eli , James Young , Jon Jones , and Chris Thompson . They released their self-titled debut album in 2002, followed by the Carnival records release Level in 2005...
, Bowling for Soup
Bowling for Soup
Bowling for Soup is an American pop-punk band which originally formed in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1994...
, Fishboy
Fishboy
Fishboy: Denizen of the Deep was a black and white comic strip appearing in the British comic book Buster between 1968 and 1975, written by Scott Goodall and drawn by John Stokes and others...
, and Midlake
Midlake
Midlake is an American rock band from Denton, Texas. The band first gained popularity in Europe, signing to Bella Union Records and playing at festivals such as Les Inrockuptibles, Wintercase, End Of The Road Festival and South by Southwest.-History:...
. The local bars and recording studios on the historic Fry Street district and town square are host to other local performers.
The city's live music venues are largely supported by Denton's college town atmosphere, although show attendance is often partly composed of Dallas/Ft.Worth music listeners. As a result of this expanded fanbase, the weekly alternative newspaper, Dallas Observer
Dallas Observer
The Dallas Observer is a free alternative weekly newspaper distributed around the Dallas, Texas . At its inception, it was conceived as a weekly local arts and cinema review publication, with the credo "Advocate for Excellence in the Arts" on the cover. For a time during the early years, the paper...
, began a column on Denton's local music. In 2007 and 2008, Denton's music scene received feature attention from The Guardian
The Guardian
The Guardian, formerly known as The Manchester Guardian , is a British national daily newspaper in the Berliner format...
, Pop Matters, and The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
. Paste Magazine named Denton the best music scene in the United States in 2008. In recent years, Denton's music scene has been compared to Austin, Texas
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
, which itself is nicknamed the "live music capital of the world". There are a number of local music venues and commercial recording studios, including Abbey Underground, Hailey's Club, Rubber Gloves Rehearsal Studios and Dan's Silverleaf. With hopes of creating a live music event similar to South by Southwest
South by Southwest
South by Southwest is an Austin, Texas based company dedicated to planning conferences, trade shows, festivals and other events. Their current roster of annual events include: SXSW Music, SXSW Film, SXSW Interactive, SXSWedu, and SXSWeco and take place every spring in Austin, Texas, United States...
(SXSW), Denton held the first annual North by 35
North by 35
35 Denton is a music festival and conference that takes place every March in Denton, Texas. 35 Conferette first began in 2009 and is centered on the historic Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square. Its first year featured 124 bands and over 4,000 fans. 2010 featured 250 acts and attracted an...
(NX35) music festival in March 2009.
Sports
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a co-educational university in Denton, Texas, United States with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas...
and University of North Texas
University of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
field a variety of college teams as members of the National Collegiate Athletic Association
National Collegiate Athletic Association
The National Collegiate Athletic Association is a semi-voluntary association of 1,281 institutions, conferences, organizations and individuals that organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities in the United States...
(NCAA). Apogee Stadium is host to UNT football games and can seat 30,850 people. The local high schools have large athletics programs which draw attendance from the general public, especially for high school football games.
City sports clubs include a rugby and baseball team. The Denton Rugby Football Club was formed in 1979 after the folding of the North Texas State University Rugby Club. As part of the Texas Rugby Union, the club has seen some success over the past few years, including winning the Texas Rugby Union Championship, Western Rugby Union Championship, and playing in the National Quarterfinals in Reno, Nevada in 2004. The city is also home to the Denton Outlaws
Denton Outlaws
The Denton Outlaws were a collegiate summer baseball team based in Denton, Texas; they played their home games at Falcon Field in Corinth, Texas. The team was quite competitive during their short time in the Texas Collegiate League. In 2005, they were the TCL Champions...
baseball team, a former member of the Texas Collegiate League
Texas Collegiate League
The Texas Collegiate League is a collegiate summer baseball league comprising teams of the top college players from North America and beyond. The TCL is based in Coppell, Texas, and shares its headquarters with the Coppell Copperheads, the DFW Metroplex-area team...
.
Government
The city is the county seatCounty seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Denton County and is operated under a council-manager form of government. Denton is represented by a mayor, four council members, two at-large members and an appointed city manager. Elections are held yearly during the month of May with terms lasting for two years, with a maximum of three consecutive terms. The current mayor is Mark Burroughs. Denton is in the U.S. House 26th Congressional district
Texas's 26th congressional district
-2006 election:-2008 election:-2010 election:-References:*...
, and is represented by Representative Michael C. Burgess
Michael C. Burgess
Michael Clifton Burgess, is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 2003, and a member of the Tea Party Caucus.-Early life, education, and early career:...
. In the Texas Legislature
Texas Legislature
The Legislature of the state of Texas is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Texas. The legislature is a bicameral body composed of a 31-member Senate and a 150-member House of Representatives. The Legislature meets at the Capitol in Austin...
, the city is in the 30th District
Texas Senate, District 30
District 30 of the Texas Senate is a senatorial district that currently serves all of Archer, Baylor, Clay, Cooke, Grayson, Jack, Montague, Palo Pinto, Parker, Shackelford, Stephens, Throckmorton, Wichita, Wilbarger, Wise and Young counties, and portions of Collin and Denton counties in the U.S....
in the Texas Senate
Texas Senate
The Texas Senate is the upper house of the Texas Legislature. There are 31 members of the Senate, representing 31 single-member districts across the state with populations of approximately 672,000 per constituency. There are no term limits, and each term is four years long. The Senate meets at the...
, represented by Republican Craig Estes. It is in the 64th District
Texas House of Representatives, District 64
District 64 is a district of the Texas House of Representatives that serves a portion of Denton County. The current representative for District 64 is Republican Myra Crownover, who has served the district since 2000 when she was selected to complete the unexpired term left by her late husband,...
in the Texas House of Representatives
Texas House of Representatives
The Texas House of Representatives is the lower house of the Texas Legislature. The House is composed of 150 members elected from single-member districts across the state. The average district has about 150,000 people. Representatives are elected to two-year terms with no term limits...
, having been served by Republican Myra Crownover
Myra Crownover
Myra Crownover is a state legislator in the Texas House of Representatives. She has represented District 64 in the Texas House of Representatives as a Republican since 2000. As of 2011, her district is located completely in Denton County, Texas, including much or parts of Denton, Lake Dallas,...
since 2000.
Several Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
state agencies have facilities in the city. The facilities include a Texas Workforce Center
Texas Workforce Commission
The Texas Workforce Commission is a governmental agency in the U.S. state of Texas that provides unemployment benefits and services related to employment to eligible individuals and businesses....
, a driver license/highway patrol
Texas Department of Public Safety
The Texas Department of Public Safety is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The DPS is responsible for statewide law enforcement and vehicle regulation. The Public Safety Commission oversees the DPS. Its five members are appointed by the Governor of Texas and confirmed by the...
office, and the TDCJ
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
The Texas Department of Criminal Justice is a department of the government of the state of Texas. The TDCJ is responsible for statewide criminal justice for adult offenders, including managing offenders in state prisons, state jails and private correctional facilities, funding and certain...
Denton District Parole Office. The Denton State Supported Living Center (formerly Denton State School), established in 1960, is the largest residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in Texas. The center serves an 18-county area and approximately 1,500 people work at the state-supported living center. The Federal Emergency Management Agency
Federal Emergency Management Agency
The Federal Emergency Management Agency is an agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security, initially created by Presidential Reorganization Plan No. 1 of 1978 and implemented by two Executive Orders...
(FEMA) has its Region VI headquarters in Denton.
| Mayor | Mark Burroughs |
| Council member for District 1 | Kevin Roden |
| Council member for District 2 | Dalton Gregory |
| Council member for District 3 | Jim Englebrecht |
| Council member for District 4 | Chris Watts |
| Mayor pro tem (at-large) | Pete Kamp |
| Council member for District 6 | James King |
Education
According to the 2000 United States Census, 35.5% of all adults over the age of 25 in Denton have obtained a bachelor's degree, as compared to a national average of 24.4%, and 83.2% of residents over the age of 25 have earned a high school diploma, as compared to the national average of 80.4%.Colleges and universities
The University of North TexasUniversity of North Texas
The University of North Texas is a public institution of higher education and research in Denton. Founded in 1890, UNT is part of the University of North Texas System. As of the fall of 2010, the University of North Texas, Denton campus, had a certified enrollment of 36,067...
(UNT) in Denton is the flagship university of the University of North Texas System
University of North Texas System
The University of North Texas System consists of four educational institutions in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex area...
, which also includes the UNT Health Science Center in Fort Worth, the University of North Texas at Dallas
University of North Texas at Dallas
The University of North Texas at Dallas began in 2000 as a Dallas extension of the University of North Texas, offering upper-level undergraduate and graduate courses in fields such as education, business, criminal justice, applied arts and sciences, computer science, information technology and...
and the soon to be established UNT School of Law. With an enrollment of over 36,000 students, it is the fourth-largest university in the state. The university is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
(SACS). Its College of Music
University of North Texas College of Music
The University of North Texas College of Music, based in Denton, is a comprehensive music school with the largest enrollment of any music institution accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music, and the oldest in the world offering a degree in jazz studies...
became nationally recognized for the study in jazz after becoming the first school to offer a degree in that field.
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University
Texas Woman's University is a co-educational university in Denton, Texas, United States with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas...
(TWU) is a university with two health science center branches in Dallas, Texas and Houston, Texas. Founded in 1901, the university enrolls more than 13,000 undergraduates and graduates. Men have been admitted to TWU since 1972. In addition to being the largest state-supported university for women in the United States, TWU’s College of Nursing is the largest in Texas and the 11th largest in the U.S. TWU’s nursing doctoral program is the largest in the world.
North Central Texas College
North Central Texas College
North Central Texas College is a community college serving Cooke County, Denton County, and Montague County, Texas. NCTC operates four campuses, the main campus in Gainesville, campuses in Corinth, Bowie, and a branch campus in Graham....
, a community college in nearby Corinth
Corinth, Texas
Corinth is a small town in Denton County, Texas, United States, a suburb of Dallas, and a part of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The population was 11,325 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Corinth is located at ....
, is also attended by many Denton students.
Primary and secondary schools
The Denton Independent School DistrictDenton Independent School District
Denton Independent School District, sometimes shortened to Denton ISD, is a school district based in Denton, Texas. The district covers all or parts of the following cities – Denton, Bartonville, Copper Canyon, Corinth, Cross Roads, Double Oak, Lincoln Park, Oak Point, and Shady Shores...
(DISD) covers the educational system for the city, which consists of three high schools, one alternative high school, and primary schools comprising over 25,000 students. Small portions of the city extend into the neighboring school districts of Argyle
Argyle Independent School District
Argyle Independent School District is a public school district based in Argyle, Texas .In 2009, the school district was rated "academically acceptable" by the Texas Education Agency.-Schools:*Argyle High School...
and Sanger
Sanger Independent School District
Sanger Independent School District is a public school district based in Sanger, Texas .In addition to Sanger, the district serves the unincorporated community of Bolivar....
. Denton is host to several private schools with religious affiliations and alternative education models.
Libraries
Denton is served by the Denton Public Library, which has three branches: Emily Fowler Central Library, North Branch Library, and South Branch Library. In addition to the city library services, the school libraries of the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University provide access to their materials to Texas residents with a TexShareTexShare
The TexShare program is a statewide resource-sharing consortium of hundreds of member libraries in Texas, United States administered by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission...
card.
Media
Since 1899, the Denton Record-ChronicleDenton Record-Chronicle
The Denton Record-Chronicle is the official newspaper for the city of Denton, Texas and Denton County since 1899.William Edwards consolidated the Denton Chronicle and the Denton County Record , as a weekly newspaper. It wasn't until August 3, 1903 that the paper was published daily...
has been the official daily newspaper of Denton and Denton County. When it was acquired by Belo Corporation in 1999, the newspaper had a circulation of 16,000. The North Texas Daily and The Lasso provide daily and weekly college news to students at the University of North Texas and Texas Woman's University.
The city's public television station, Denton TV (DTV), covers city council meetings, restaurant scores, high school football and educational programming. UNT's station, NTTV
NTTV
ntTV is a Student television station and student organization at the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas; ntTV is multicast locally on Charter Communications cable channel 22 and on Verizon FiOS channel 46...
, is broadcast 24 hours a day on local channels provided by Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Charter Communications is an American company providing cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to more than 4.7 million customers in 25 states. By revenues, it is the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, behind Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Communications...
and Verizon FiOS
Verizon FiOS
Verizon FiOS is a bundled Internet access, telephone, and television service which operates over a fiber-optic communications network. It is offered in some areas of the United States by Verizon Communications. Verizon was one of the first major U.S...
. NTTV Nightly News is broadcast live Monday through Thursday. KNTU
KNTU
KNTU is the campus radio station of the University of North Texas which was formerly known as North Texas State University at Denton, Texas. The signal of the station covers much of the Dallas and Fort Worth Metroplex of North Texas with a format of news and primarily Jazz music...
88.1 FM is UNT's official radio station. First aired in 1969, the station primarily plays a mixture of jazz and blues and covers local sports and news.
Transportation
Denton is served by the Denton County Transportation AuthorityDenton County Transportation Authority
The Denton County Transportation Authority is the transit authority that operates in Denton County, Texas, USA, which is northwest of Dallas County...
(DCTA) which operates express coach service to downtown Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
and Lewisville
Lewisville, Texas
Lewisville is a city in Denton County in the U.S. state of Texas. The 2010 United States Census placed the population at 95,290 within . The city also includes of Lewisville Lake....
along with local fixed route and paratransit service throughout the city. In 2011, the Downtown Denton Transit Center
Downtown Denton Transit Center
Downtown Denton Transit Center is a multimodal transit center that provides DCTA bus and A-train commuter rail connections in Denton, Texas. It is east of the Denton County Courthouse-on-the-Square and is the northern terminus of the A-train....
and Medpark Station
Medpark Station
Medpark Station is an A-train commuter rail station in Denton, Texas. It is east of Interstate 35E and serves Denton Regional Medical Center and a major retail area surrounding Golden Triangle Mall in Denton. Medpark station is currently the penultimate station on the A-Train....
opened as commuter rail stations on DCTA's A-train
A-train (Denton County Transportation Authority)
The A-train is a commuter rail line in Denton County, Texas, United States that parallels Interstate 35E and acts as an extension with the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Green Line at Trinity Mills Station in Carrollton. It is operated by the Denton County Transportation Authority and serves Denton...
. DCTA also operates local bus service within the city and special university shuttles. Paratransit
Paratransit
Paratransit is an alternative mode of flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. Typically mini-buses are used to provide paratransit service, but also share taxis and jitneys are important providers....
service for senior citizens and/or people with disabilities of all ages is offered by Special Programs for Aging Needs (SPAN), a non-profit organization.
Interstate 35 splits in Denton near the North Texas campus, with 35E
Interstate 35E (Texas)
Interstate 35E , an Interstate Highway, is the eastern half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35E runs north for , maintaining I-35's sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Dallas before...
heading to Dallas and 35W
Interstate 35W (Texas)
Interstate 35W , an Interstate Highway, is the western half of Interstate 35 where it splits to serve different cities in Texas. I-35 splits into two branch routes, I-35W and I-35E at Hillsboro. I-35W runs north for , carrying its own separate sequence of exit numbers. It runs through Fort Worth...
to Fort Worth. Loop 288
Texas State Highway Loop 288
Loop 288 is a state highway within the city limits of Denton, Texas. On the north side of town, the loop runs next to the C. H. Collins Athletic Complex. Despite its name, Loop 288 does not make a complete circuit, running instead around the north, east and southeast sides of the city...
partially encircles the city; it passes through the northern limits of the city by C. H. Collins Athletic Complex
C. H. Collins Athletic Complex
C. H. Collins Athletic Complex is a 12,000-capacity multi-use stadium in Denton, Texas. The stadium is used mostly for high school football and soccer.-In The Media:...
and the eastern side near Golden Triangle Mall. Highway 77 and 377 go through the historic town square and Highway 380 connects Denton to Frisco
Frisco, Texas
Frisco is an affluent city in Collin and Denton Counties in the U.S. state of Texas and a rapidly growing suburb of Dallas. As of the 2010 Census, 116,989 people were living in Frisco up from 33,714 in the previous census. Frisco was the fastest growing city in the United States in 2009, and also...
in the east and Decatur
Decatur, Texas
Decatur is a city located in Wise County, Texas, United States. This city was named after Stephen Decatur, Jr. The population was 5,201 at the 2000 census. A July 1, 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 6,432. It is the county seat of Wise County...
on the west.
Denton Municipal Airport
Denton Municipal Airport
Denton Municipal Airport , also known as Denton Airport, is a city-owned public-use airport located three nautical miles west of the central business district of Denton, a city in Denton County, Texas, United States.Although most U.S...
is a public airport located 3 miles (4.8 km) west of the central business district (CBD) of Denton. This airport serves as home to various cargo and charter operators as well as two flight schools. A new terminal opened in 2008, but as of June 2008 no scheduled commuter service is in place.
Health care
The city's health-care system is primarily provided by two hospitals. Denton Regional Medical CenterDenton Regional Medical Center
Denton Regional Medical Center, or Denton Regional, is a full service hospital operated by Hospital Corporation of America and is located at 3535 South Interstate 35, southeast of downtown Denton, Texas. It houses 200 beds, and employs more than 850 employees and 285 physicians...
(now a Level III Trauma Center) is a full service hospital operated by Hospital Corporation of America and is located southeast of downtown Denton. Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Denton (formerly Denton Community Hospital) is the other full-service hospital, located on the southern end. Each employ more than 800 employees and are licensed with more than 200 beds and emergency services.
Utilities
Utilities are administered by Denton Municipal Utilities. The City provides Water, Wastewater, Electric, Drainage and Solid Waste Service. The electric utility, Denton Municipal Electric (DME), has been in operation since 1905. In 2009, DME began providing 40 percent of its energy to customers through renewable resources. The City of Denton Water Utilities Department serves the city's water demand and natural gas is arranged by Atmos EnergyAtmos Energy
Atmos Energy Corporation , headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is the largest distributor of natural gas in the United States, serving 3.2 million customers nationwide. Atmos acquired TXU's natural gas and pipeline holdings in 2004. The company began as Energas in 1983, a spinoff of the natural gas...
. Numerous initiatives are underway to maintain and improve the environmental quality in the area. Charter Communications and Verizon provide the majority of cable, phone and Internet services.
Notable natives and residents
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
, Bowling for Soup
Bowling for Soup
Bowling for Soup is an American pop-punk band which originally formed in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1994...
, Don Henley
Don Henley
Donald Hugh "Don" Henley is an American singer, songwriter and drummer, best known as a founding member of the Eagles before launching a successful solo career. Henley was the drummer and lead vocalist for the Eagles from 1971–1980, when the band broke up...
, Meat Loaf
Meat Loaf
Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...
, Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
, Midlake
Midlake
Midlake is an American rock band from Denton, Texas. The band first gained popularity in Europe, signing to Bella Union Records and playing at festivals such as Les Inrockuptibles, Wintercase, End Of The Road Festival and South by Southwest.-History:...
, The Riverboat Gamblers
The Riverboat Gamblers
The Riverboat Gamblers are a punk rock band originally from Denton, Texas but now residing in Austin, Texas. They are currently signed to Volcom Entertainment.Their song "Don't Bury Me...I'm Still Not Dead" is featured in the video game Rock Band 3....
and Brave Combo
Brave Combo
Brave Combo is a polka/rock band based in Denton, Texas. Founded in 1979 by guitarist/keyboardist/accordionist Carl Finch, they have been a prominent fixture in the Texas music scene for more than twenty-five years...
. In addition to these names, Deep Blue Something
Deep Blue Something
Deep Blue Something is an American rock band best known for its hit single "Breakfast at Tiffany's." The group was founded in 1992 in Denton, Texas by University of North Texas students Todd and Toby Pipes, Clay Bergus and John Kirtland...
and the Eli Young Band
Eli Young Band
Eli Young Band is an American country music band based in Denton, Texas. The band is composed of Mike Eli , James Young , Jon Jones , and Chris Thompson . They released their self-titled debut album in 2002, followed by the Carnival records release Level in 2005...
have also signed on with major labels. A number of people born in Denton have careers in the arts and entertainment business such as former Miss America Phyllis George
Phyllis George
Phyllis Ann George Brown is an American businesswoman, actress and a former sportscaster. She is a former Miss Texas and Miss America of 1971.- Early life :...
, funk musician Sly Stone
Sly Stone
Sly Stone is an American musician, songwriter, and record producer, most famous for his role as frontman for Sly & the Family Stone, a band which played a critical role in the development of soul, funk and psychedelia in the 1960s and 1970s. In 1993, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of...
, and actress Ann Sheridan
Ann Sheridan
-Life and career:Born Clara Lou Sheridan in Denton, Texas on February 21, 1915, she was a student at the University of North Texas when her sister sent a photograph of her to Paramount Pictures. She subsequently entered and won a beauty contest, with part of her prize being a bit part in a...
.
Admiral Edward Walter Eberle
Edward Walter Eberle
Edward Walter Eberle was an admiral in the United States Navy, who served as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy and third Chief of Naval Operations.-Early years:...
, third Chief of Naval Operations
Chief of Naval Operations
The Chief of Naval Operations is a statutory office held by a four-star admiral in the United States Navy, and is the most senior uniformed officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Navy. The office is a military adviser and deputy to the Secretary of the Navy...
, was born in Denton, Texas in 1864.
Sister cities
Denton is a part of the Sister Cities InternationalSister Cities International
Sister Cities International is a nonprofit citizen diplomacy network that creates and strengthens partnerships between United States and international communities. More than 2,000 cities, states and counties are partnered in 136 countries around the world...
program and maintains cultural and economic exchange programs with its sister city.
- MadabaMadabaMadaba , is the capital city of Madaba Governorate of Jordan, which has a population of about 60,000. Madaba is the fifth most populous town in Jordan. It is best known for its Byzantine and Umayyad mosaics, especially a large Byzantine-era mosaic map of The Holy Land...
,
Jordan - San Nicolás de los GarzaSan Nicolás de los GarzaSan Nicolás de los Garza, sometimes known only as San Nicolás, is a city and coextensive municipality in the Mexican state of Nuevo León that is part of the Monterrey Metropolitan area. It has become primarily a city for residencies and family houses, although it still has several factories that...
,
Mexico
External links
- City of Denton website
- DentonWiki.org – Local Wiki for Denton, TX