Point your car northwest of Dallas, and soon you'll witness a geographical anomaly in North Central Texas: hills. Actual rolling hills, marking a pleasant change in a landscape dominated by flat prairie land. Within the well-established suburb of Carrollton, Texas, those gently rolling hills are marked with a mixture of older and newer homes, as well as an increasing number of major corporations and a recent explosion of retail centers.

Many aspiring homeowners in the Dallas area have found that living downtown is too costly, and so there's been a migration north to the surrounding suburbs. Head far north, and you'll reach Plano, where available land is now suddenly in short supply, and prices have been creeping steadily upward as newer and larger homes have come to represent an increasingly larger percentage of the local housing inventory.

Carrollton certainly has all of the advantages of Plano, and perhaps even more. An older and more established community than Plano, the city has a different feel to it than Plano. That's not to imply, however, that Carrollton isn't growing quickly just as Plano has. Carrollton is, in fact, among the Texas' most rapidly growing cities; it's just doing so a bit more quietly than its neighbor to the north. Perhaps that's why in many instances, home prices here are comparatively more reasonable than in Plano.

New construction is booming in Carrollton, but newcomers are finding that they can get much, much more for their money here than elsewhere. Relocating families and individuals clearly have been receptive to Carrollton's housing opportunities; the city's projected population figures for 2000 recently were revised, increasing to 101,550 to reflect the increased number of single-family homes in the area. Future population growth has been estimated at between 2 percent and 3 percent annually.

Carrollton's population is young -- their average age is a mere 32 -- and nearly three-quarters of the population is between the ages of 18 and 65. Although the city is more than 80 percent Caucasian, its diversity has continued to increase steadily and is expected to keep doing so well into the 21st century. Among the most rapidly growing minority populations in Carrollton are the Hispanic population, which now comprises nearly 10 percent of the total population; Asians (now at more than 5 percent); and African-Americans (hovering at just under 5 percent).

The local economy has benefitted from a skilled and continually increasing workforce. Those who hail from the Carrollton area have enjoyed the benefit of a strong public school system. And they're emerging into a market in which commercial and industrial facilities are being built feverishly to keep pace with demand. During the late 1990s, Carrollton broke ground on a record number of new facilities at the same time that local companies elected to expand their current facilities, several new corporations relocated to Carrollton, and thousands of new jobs became available in the city.

The diversity of the local economy becomes clear when you examine the roster of local businesses here. Among the major corporations who call Carrollton home are Lucent Technologies Telecommunications Systems, ST Microelectronics Semiconductors, Halliburton Oil Field Products, Hilton Reservations Hotel Reservation System, Budget Rent-a-Car Car Rental Reservation System, Chrysler Corporation Parts Distribution and Ford Motor Company Parts Distribution.

Of course, recreation is just as important as working hard, and Carrollton has utilized its hills and availability of land to accommodate lovers of the outdoors. Golf is big in Carrollton, and one of the favorite putting greens of locals is the Indian Creek Golf Course, comprised of two 18-hole courses. Both of them run through gently winding streams, woods and other scenic, preserved lands. For a truly unique experience, visit the 40-acre Elm Fork Nature Preserve, situated within forestland. People of all ages visit the preserve to learn about the plant and animal life native to North Central Texas -- and to enjoy some R&R in a peaceful, geographically unique environment.

If you're more of a city mouse than a country mouse, visit Old Downtown Carrollton. Surrounding the "Square" are quaint retail shops; excellent restaurants, many of which aren't part of the chain restaurants that stretch from Dallas to the northern suburbs; the Plaza Theatre, a historic structure that offers frequent performances; and the gazebo that marks the center of downtown. Regardless of your age, it's hard to resist Sandy Lake Amusement Park. Although the park is relatively small, that's part of its charm. Sandy Lake offers about 20 different rides. But its major draws include its lake, on which park-goers may take a leisurely paddle boat ride; its massive swimming pool (always in huge demand during Texas' brutally hot summers); and its acres of baseball grounds, miniature golf and volleyball courts.

Published: June 12, 2000

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