Overview
Allen is a city in Collin County and a northern suburb of Dallas, Texas
(USA). As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 43,554. As
of April 2007, the city's population is estimated at 77,465.
Geography
Allen is located at [show location on an interactive map] 33°5′59″N,
96°39′47″W (33.099748, -96.662922)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, after buying the Chase Oaks
Golf Course the city has a total area of 68.2 km² (26.3 mi²). 68.2 km² (26.3
mi²) of it is land and none of the area is covered with water.
Demographics
As of April 2007, there were 77,465 people living in Allen. This is a
dramatic increase from the city's 2000 Census figures showing just over
40,000 people, 14,205 households, and 12,045 families. Other statistics,
based on 2000 Census figures, showed population density at 638.4/km²
(1,653.6/mi²). There were 15,227 housing units at an average density of
223.2/km² (578.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.14% White, 4.40%
African American, 0.52% Native American, 3.73% Asian, 0.05% Pacific
Islander, 2.41% from other races, and 1.75% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino of any race were 6.98% of the population.
There were 14,205 households out of which 55.5% had children under the age
of 18 living with them, 74.6% were married couples living together, 7.4% had
a female householder with no husband present, and 15.2% were non-families.
11.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.6% had someone
living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
was 3.07 and the average family size was 3.35.
In the city the population was spread out with 34.9% under the age of 18,
5.4% from 18 to 24, 40.7% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 2.8% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100
females there were 99.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 97.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city in 2006 was $85,986, and the
median income for a family was $101,120.
Culture
Until recent years, Allen was a predominantly white, middle-class bedroom
community, but recently there has been an influx of upper-middle class
families from a variety of cultures. This increase is due in large part to
the upscale subdivisions being developed on the western side of the city.
The city's east side (that is, east of the U.S. 75/Central Expressway
north-south corridor) remains, for the most part, white and middle-class,
but there is a significant trend toward black, Hispanic and Asian families
moving into pockets of some middle class and, particularly, some lower
middle class subdivisions. Central Expressway remains an economic divide,
with the west side of the city generally reflecting a bloc of newer housing
construction and wealth, and the east side consisting of a few relatively
less-well-off and older neighborhoods mixed amid the overall affluence and
newer construction that predominates city-wide.
A large, master-planned development called Montgomery Farm is being
developed in west Allen off of Bethany Drive. This development includes
single family homes ranging in price from $250,000 to over 1 million
dollars. The development also includes a pedestrian-friendly, new urbanism
style shopping center called Watters Creek. PF Chang's has already opened in
Watters Creek, and more upscale national retailers including Ann Taylor
Loft, Starbucks, Borders, Mi Cocina, and Brio will also be part of the
development.
History
The town was founded in 1870 as a railroad stop for the Houston and Texas
Railroad, connecting the railway with nearby farms. The first railway dam
used to facilitate the railway still stands at Exchange Park. The town was
named after former Texas attorney general and railroad promoter Ebenezer
Allen.
In 1878, a gang of robbers led by Sam Bass committed what is believed to
have been the first train robbery in Texas at the RR crossing on what is now
McDermott.
During the 1990s, children's television shows such as Barney & Friends,
Wishbone, and ZOOM were filmed in Allen.[
Education
The Allen Independent School District has 13 elementary schools, 3 middle
schools, 1 freshman center, 1 alternate school, and 1 high school (Allen
High School). Allen ISD serves almost all of Allen.
Small portions of the Allen city limits extend into Lovejoy, McKinney, and
Plano ISDs. In the fall of 2006, new 9th grade high school students in the
Lovejoy ISD boundaries began attending the newly opened Lovejoy High School
[1]. A new grade level is to be added each subsequent school year, making
the school a full 4-year high school in the 2009-10 school year. Existing
Allen High School (Classes 2008 and 2009) students within the Lovejoy ISD
boundaries continue to attend Allen High School.
Allen hosts a campus of the Collin County Community College District, which
is located inside Allen High School.
The Allen Eagle Escadrille, Allen High School's marching band, performed in
the 2006 Tournament of Roses Parade and Bandfest in Pasadena, California.
The Escadrille has 650 members, including the band, drill team, and color
guard. The Escadrille is the largest high school band in the world. It was
also a special participant in the 1994 St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin,
Ireland, 1995 and 1999 Texas Gubernatorial Parades, and 1997 Macy's
Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.