Overview
Wylie is a city in Collin, Dallas, and Rockwall Counties in the U.S.
state of Texas. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 15,132, but
recent rapid growth has 2004 estimates suggesting the population is already
25,850. Once solely located in Collin County, Wylie has extended into
neighboring Dallas and Rockwall counties. Both Lake Lavon and Lake Ray
Hubbard are within easy reach of the city. Since the 2000 census the
population has grown 109.3%, making Wylie number 8 on the list of fastest
growing cities in the nation. Current population is now listed at 32,696.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of
86.2 km² (33.3 mi²). 50.2 km² (19.4 mi²) of it is land and 36.1 km² (13.9
mi²) of it (41.83%) is water.
History of Wylie
Wylie was organized in the early 1870s and originally called Nickelville,
reportedly after the name of the first store.
In 1886 the Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway laid tracks a half mile
north of the original townsite. Within a year the businesses of Nickelville
had moved to take advantage of the railroad and had named their new location
Wylie, in honor of W. D. Wylie, a right-of-way agent for the railroad.
Early Development
That same year Wylie, had given itself its name, had established a post
office branch and incorporated, choosing an alderman form of government. Two
years later the St. Louis Southwestern Railway reached the town. The two
railroads and the rich agricultural region of the Blackland Prairies
contributed to the town's growth. Wylie had a population of 400 in 1890 and
773 in 1900. Before 1920 the community had over thirty-five businesses,
including two banks, a school, and a weekly newspaper. Unlike many rural
Texas communities, Wylie grew during the Great Depression years, reaching
914 residents by 1940. In part this was a result of increased dairy farming
to meet the demands of nearby Dallas. Following World War II the population
continued to increase. The construction of Lake Lavon five miles north of
town and the selection of Wylie to house the offices of the North Texas
Municipal Water District, designed to provide water for towns in four
counties, pushed the population to 1,804 in 1960.
Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 15,132 people, 5,085 households, and
4,108 families residing in the city. The population density was 301.6/km²
(781.2/mi²). There were 5,326 housing units at an average density of
106.2/km² (275.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.45% White, 2.07%
African American, 0.70% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.03% Pacific
Islander, 4.30% from other races, and 1.86% from two or more races. Hispanic
or Latino of any race were 10.44% of the population.
There were 5,085 households out of which 50.7% had children under the age of
18 living with them, 64.9% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a
female householder with no husband present, and 19.2% were non-families.
15.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.2% had someone
living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size
was 2.96 and the average family size was 3.29.
In the city the population was spread out with 33.4% under the age of 18,
7.2% from 18 to 24, 37.6% from 25 to 44, 15.9% from 45 to 64, and 5.9% who
were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100
females there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there
were 94.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $58,393, and the median
income for a family was $62,903. Males had a median income of $44,239 versus
$31,084 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,987. About
2.4% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line,
including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.4% of those age 65 or over.
As of the 2006 census estimate, the North Texas Central Council of
Governments has placed the city's population at 33,000. Most recent
estimates show the population approaching 39,000.
Local Government
Wylie has a council-manager form of government composed of a Mayor and seven
council members (elected at large) along with an appointed City Manager. The
city has operated under a city charter (home rule) since 1985 when voters
approved the measure in a referendum. Wylie has received recognition for
both its Police and Fire Departments in recent years.
Education
Most of the Collin County portion of Wylie is served by Wylie Independent
School District. A minuscule portion in Collin County is served by Princeton
Independent School District. The Dallas County portion is served by Garland
Independent School District. The Rockwall County portion is served by
Rockwall Independent School District