ALLEN, TEXAS

'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.

Contents

Geography

Demographics

Culture

History

Education

Notable residents

External links

Geography

Allen is located at (33.099748, -96.662922).
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 average income for a household in the city in 2006 was $106,196, and the median income for a family was $97,227.

Culture

Allen has, until recent years, been a white low to middle-class suburbia. But there has been a recent increase in different cultures and religions as well as an influx of middle class and upper middle class families.

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 and Wishbone were filmed in Allen. Also a few episodes of Zoom.

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.

Notable residents

The following is a list of past and current residents of Allen, who have obtained notability outside of the community:

★ Sean M. Welch, Artist

★ Burton Gilliam, Actor

★ Matt Barr, Actor

★ Carly Patterson, 2004 Olympic all-around gymnastics gold medal, beam silver medal, and team competition silver medal.

★ Dee Hennigan, Actress

★ Amanda Dunbar, Artist

★ David Shea, Actor

★ Tony Dorsett, Dallas Cowboys player, in the Ring of Honor

★ Dan Foote, illustrator

★ Casey Dick, University of Arkansas Quarterback

★ Nathan Dick, University of Arkansas back-up Quarterback

★ Demyron Martin, Southern Methodist University Runningback

★ Shane Schubert, Musician

★ Tyler Crane, University of Missouri Defensive End

External links

★ City of Allen official website

★ ACTV - Allen City Television

★ Allen ISD Website

★ Handbook of Texas Online: Allen, TX

★ Allen, TX demographic data

★ Allen Eagle Escadrille Website

★ Collin County Texas