Allen, Texas
Allen is a city in Collin County in the U.S. state of Texas, and a northern suburb in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The population was 104,627 at the 2020 census, and was estimated to be 111,551 in 2022. Allen is located approximately north of downtown Dallas and is a part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area.
History
The Allen area was previously home to the Caddo, Comanche, and other indigenous peoples. The first immigrants from the United States and Europe arrived in the early 1840s. The town was established by the Houston and Texas Central Railway and named in 1872 for Ebenezer Allen, a state politician and railroad promoter. The railroad allowed the sale of crops across the country before they rotted, causing a shift from the previous cattle-based agriculture. On February 22, 1878, a gang led by Sam Bass committed in Allen what is said to be Texas's first train robbery.From 1908 through 1948, Allen was a stop along the Texas Traction Company's interurban line from Denison to Dallas. Allen was a small town of a few hundred residents when it was incorporated in 1953. Since this time, it has grown dramatically due to the construction of U.S. Route 75, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and the development of nearby Dallas and Plano. Among the more recent developments is the Shaddock Park neighborhood.
On May 6, 2023, a mass shooting occurred at the Allen Premium Outlets mall. Eight were killed, along with the shooter, and seven were injured.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and is water.Climate
Allen has a humid subtropical climate, with long hot summers and cool winters.In 2008, an EF-1 tornado touched down in Allen, damaging approximately 50 homes. In 2019, an EF-0 tornado touched down in west Allen.
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Allen had a population of 104,627, 35,491 households, and 28,117 families residing in the city. The median age was 37.8 years, with 27.2% of residents under the age of 18 and 10.3% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.0 males age 18 and over.As of the 2020 census, 100.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0% lived in rural areas.
Among the 35,491 households in Allen, 44.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 64.0% were married-couple households, 12.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 20.2% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 17.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 36,962 housing units, of which 4.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 69.8% were owner-occupied and 30.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.9%.
| Race | Percent |
| White | 53.7% |
| Black or African American | 9.8% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native | 0.5% |
| Asian | 21.4% |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Some other race | 3.8% |
| Two or more races | 10.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12.6% |
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 84,246 people, 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.
2019 estimates
In 2019, 96% of adults living in Allen had at least a high school degree and 55% had at least a bachelor's degree. The average household income was $107,602. The city of Allen had 27,791 family units. The median age was 35.8 years. The median home value was $251,405. 59,620 of the population is currently registered to vote.Economy
In 1992, Allen citizens approved the creation of the Allen Economic Development Corporation, which is funded by a 0.5% sales tax. According to the city government's 2014 facts & figures, the top employers in the city were:Top employers
According to the city's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, the largest employers in the city are:| Employer | Type of Business | # of Employees | Percentage |
| Allen Independent School District | Education | 2,755 | 6.85% |
| City of Allen | Government | 937 | 2.33% |
| Experian Information Solutions | Insurance | 817 | 2.03% |
| Andrew's Distributing | Beer and Spirits Distributors | 487 | 1.21% |
| Jack Henry & Associates | Financial Technology | 450 | 1.12% |
| Motorola Solutions | Telecommunications Equipment | 436 | 1.08% |
| Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital | Health Care | 425 | 1.06% |
| Credit Union of Texas | Credit Union | 424 | 1.05% |
| NetScout Systems | Performance Management | 420 | 1.04% |
| Crawford and Company | Management and Outsourcing | 365 | 0.91% |
| Total employers | — | 7,516 | 18.70% |
Allen serves as the corporate headquarters for the following companies: MonkeySports, CVE Technology, PFSweb, WatchGuard Video, PINSTACK, Boss Fight Entertainment, Brass Roots Technologies, Cytracom, No Magic, Lyrick Studios, WiQuest Communications, and Credit Union of Texas. Lyrick Studios ceased to exist in 2001 when it was purchased and incorporated into HiT Entertainment.
The city also has a 79,000-square-foot convention center owned and operated by Marriott Hotels. In addition, Allen also has a multi-purpose arena, the 7,500-seat Credit Union of Texas Event Center, owned and operated by the City of Allen. There are three major malls/shopping complexes in the city: Allen Premium Outlets, Watters Creek, and The Village at Allen. These shopping complexes attract many visitors to Allen, Texas on a daily basis.
Parks and recreation
Allen has three major recreation centers: Joe Farmer Recreation Center, Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center, and Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium. Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium boasts a large-scale indoor aquatic park with many swimming lanes, a rock-climbing wall, and a fitness center. Since its opening in early 2024, Stephen G. Terrell Recreation Center provides 149,000 square feet of diverse fitness, recreational and leisurely activities for all ages, with top-of-the-line equipment and unique amenities. Allen also boasts the Allen Community Ice Rink, Ford Pool, The Courses at Watters Creek, and Allen Senior Recreation Center. Most notably, Allen has The Edge Skate Park and Visitor Center, a 37,915-square-foot outdoor skate park making it one of the largest skate parks in Texas.Allen is also home to 60 natural and man-made parks with over 1,188 acres of park land in total. Some of the more notable parks are the following: Allen Station Park, Bethany Lakes Park, Celebration Park, Glendover Park, Spirit Park, Stacy Ridge, Twin Creeks Park, Waterford Park, and Windridge Park.
Every year, Allen hosts the Allen USA Celebration on the last Saturday of June, which usually falls on the Saturday preceding the Independence Day holiday. The celebration boasts a large assortment of food trucks/stalls, sports drills, music concerts, a car show, bounce houses, and a large fireworks display - regarded as one of the largest in Texas. In previous years, there have been performances by Pentatonix, Jerry Jeff Walker, Vince Vance & the Valiants, Survivor, James "J.T." Taylor, Eddie Money, 38 Special, Three Dog Night, Commodores, Michael McDonald, and Lou Gramm. Now, the event draws in around 100,000 people annually and is considered to be the largest event in Allen.
Sports
In October 2004, the City of Allen purchased Chase Oaks Golf Club in Plano, Texas, adjacent to the southern city limits of the City of Allen. Chase Oaks, since renamed The Courses at Watters Creek, is a public golf course, and residents are entitled to discounted fees.A multi-purpose arena, the 7,500-seat Credit Union of Texas Event Center, was completed in November 2009. It is home to the ECHL's Allen Americans, The North Texas Bulls of the National Arena League and the Dallas Sidekicks of the Major Arena Soccer League.
Government
According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $160.9 million in revenues, $105.6 million in expenditures, $654.8 million in total assets, $125.6 million in total liabilities, and $42.5 million in cash and investments.The city of Allen is a voluntary member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments association, the purpose of which is to coordinate individual and collective local governments and facilitate regional solutions, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and enable joint decisions.
The Allen City Council consists of the mayor and six council members, who are elected to serve three year terms. The council's responsibilities include planning and approving the budget, setting policy, enacting ordinances, establishing municipal law, regulating zoning, and appointing board and commission members. A professionally trained city manager manages day-to-day operations.
Appointments to City of Allen boards, commissions, and committees are typically two-year staggered terms, though some are three-year appointments.