Demographics

The Metroplex has had tremendous population growth during the past decade, adding 1.3 million new residents to become the fourth largest metro area in the nation. The northern sections of Dallas-Fort Worth captured the majority of the growth. Collin County grew by 86.2 percent, followed by Tarrant County at 23.6 percent and Dallas County at 19.8 percent. New residents are moving beyond McKinney, north into rural communities, including Celina and Melissa.

The Metroplex’s phenomenal population growth is fueled by natural increases (births less deaths), as well as the nation’s north-to-south migration. Dallas-Fort Worth will continue to benefit from companies and people moving to the South for more favorable weather and economic prospects. The metro area remains relatively young; the median age is 33.4 years. Senior citizens aged 65 and over account for 8 percent of the region’s population, a 10 basis point increase from 1990.

Unlike other fast-growing Sun Belt metro areas, Dallas-Fort Worth boasts high educational attainment. Over 82
percent of residents above the age of 25 have earned a high school diploma and 31.1 percent have attained a bachelor’s degree or higher.

Median household income generally mirrored the nation during the 1990s. Income gains as a result of the burgeoning telecommunications sector were largely offset by a rapidly swelling population of low-wage migrants. At the start of the 21st century, Dallas-Fort Worth began to exhibit signs of tronger median household income growth, which is expected to outpace the nation over the upcoming decades.