Dallas, North Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dallas, North Carolina
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Location of Dallas, North Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Carolina |
| County | Gaston |
| Founded | 1846 |
| Incorporated | 1863 |
| Named for | George M. Dallas |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.06 sq mi (7.93 km2) |
| • Land | 3.06 sq mi (7.93 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 787 ft (240 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 5,589 |
| • Density | 1,935.66/sq mi (747.39/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
28034
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| Area code(s) | 704, 980 |
| FIPS code | 37-16180 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2406350 |
Dallas is a small town in Gaston County, North Carolina, United States. It's like a neighbor to the bigger city of Charlotte, located just north of Gastonia. In 2010, about 4,488 people lived there. The town was named after George M. Dallas, who was the Vice President of the United States under President James K. Polk.
Contents
Exploring Dallas's Location
Dallas is found about four miles north of Gastonia. It is also about 24 miles west of the city of Charlotte. If you travel north from Dallas, you'll find Lincolnton about 13 miles away. Hickory is further north, about 34 miles from Dallas. These distances are along US 321, a major road.
Land and Water Around Dallas
The town of Dallas covers an area of about 7.5 square kilometers (or 3.06 square miles). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the town limits.
Dallas is part of the Long Creek watershed. A watershed is an area of land where all the water drains into a common point. Long Creek flows into the South Fork Catawba River. Smaller streams like Dallas Branch and Little Long Creek also help drain the land in Dallas.
A Look Back at Dallas's History
Dallas became an official town in 1863. It is the oldest town in Gaston County to be officially recognized. For many years, from 1846 until 1911, Dallas was the main government center, or county seat, for Gaston County.
The Old Courthouse
The old Gaston County courthouse is still standing in the town's main square. It was fixed up in 1868 after a fire. This building used to be the main office for the Dallas Police Department. Now, the town government has made sure the old courthouse is well-maintained.
A Change in Importance
Dallas started to become less important around 1872. This happened when the town leaders decided not to spend money on building bridges for a new railway line. People in Dallas thought the trains would be too noisy and scare their farm animals.
Later, in 1890, some groups caused trouble in the town, damaging parts of it. After these events, the county seat was moved from Dallas to Gastonia in 1911.
Historic Places in Dallas
Several important places in Dallas are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their historical value. These include:
- The Dallas Graded and High School
- The Dallas Historic District
- The Hoyle Historic Homestead
- The Eli Hoyle House
Who Lives in Dallas?
The number of people living in Dallas has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1870 | 299 | — | |
| 1880 | 417 | 39.5% | |
| 1890 | 441 | 5.8% | |
| 1900 | 514 | 16.6% | |
| 1910 | 1,065 | 107.2% | |
| 1920 | 1,397 | 31.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,489 | 6.6% | |
| 1940 | 1,704 | 14.4% | |
| 1950 | 2,454 | 44.0% | |
| 1960 | 3,270 | 33.3% | |
| 1970 | 4,059 | 24.1% | |
| 1980 | 3,340 | −17.7% | |
| 1990 | 3,012 | −9.8% | |
| 2000 | 3,402 | 12.9% | |
| 2010 | 4,488 | 31.9% | |
| 2020 | 5,927 | 32.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Dallas's Population in 2020
In 2020, the census showed that 5,927 people lived in Dallas. There were 1,833 households and 1,158 families.
Dallas's Population in 2010
According to the census in 2010, there were 4,488 people living in Dallas. The town had 1,792 households. About 37.3% of these households had children under 18 living with them. Many households (40.7%) were married couples living together.
The population was spread out by age. About 26.0% of the people were under 18 years old. About 12.1% were 65 years or older. The average age in Dallas was about 34.9 years. Slightly more females (52.3%) lived in Dallas than males (47.7%).
Learning and Education in Dallas
Dallas is home to the main campus of Gaston College. This is a community college where students can earn associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. It is located on U.S. Highway 321.
The town also has several schools for younger students:
- Costner Elementary
- Carr Elementary
- W.C. Friday Middle School
- North Gaston High School
There is also a private school called Community Christian Academy. For reading and research, the Dallas Branch of the Gaston County Public Library serves the community.
Cool Places to Visit in Dallas
Dallas has some interesting spots to explore:
- The Hoyle Historic Homestead is a special house built in the 1700s. It shows how German-American buildings looked back then. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
- The Dallas Historic District is another important area. It includes eight old buildings, like the former Gaston County Courthouse (built in 1848) and the old Gaston County Jail (also from 1848). The Hoffman Hotel, built in 1852, is now home to the Gaston County Museum.
- Biggerstaff Park in Dallas is famous for hosting the "Shelby Hamfest." This is a big gathering for people who enjoy amateur radio, also known as "ham radio." It's one of the oldest and largest events of its kind in the country!
Media in Dallas
Dallas is part of the Charlotte-Gastonia viewing area. This means people in Dallas can watch the same TV and listen to the same radio stations as those in Charlotte.
Television Stations
Radio Stations
Famous People From Dallas
Some notable people have connections to Dallas:
- Alfred L. Bulwinkle (1883–1950): He was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives for 14 terms.
- William C. Friday (1920–2012): He was the president of the University of North Carolina system for a long time, from 1956 to 1986.
- David W. Hoyle: He was a former mayor of Dallas. He also served nine terms as a Democratic member of the North Carolina State Senate.
See also
In Spanish: Dallas (Carolina del Norte) para niños
