With a population of over 100,000 residents, Allen, Texas is one of the fastest growing cities in Collin County. Located about 25 miles north of downtown Dallas, Allen has seen tremendous growth and development over the past few decades. Once a small rural town, Allen is now a bustling suburb with a strong economy and plenty of amenities.
Population and Demographics
According to the Wikipedia page for Allen, Texas, the city’s population was recorded at 103,383 as of the 2020 census. This makes Allen the 15th most populous city in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. Allen saw enormous population growth between 2000 and 2010, when the number of residents more than doubled from 43,554 to 84,246 people.
In terms of demographics, Allen is predominantly white, with Whites and European Americans making up over 60% of the population. However, Allen has also seen increases in ethnic diversity, with sizable Asian, Hispanic, and African American populations now calling Allen home. Economically, Allen is considered solidly middle-class, with a median household income of around $100,000 per year.
Economy and Major Employers
Allen benefits from having a strong and diversified economy, with major employers in the tech, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, insurance, retail, education, city/county services sectors. Some of the top employers in Allen include:
- State Farm – One of the largest insurance companies in the US, with a major regional campus in Allen employing over 5,000 people.
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas – The largest health insurance provider in Texas, with over 1,000 employees in Allen.
- Allen Independent School District – Employs over 1,500 teachers, staff, and administrators across the district’s schools.
- Fairview Health System – Operates a large medical center and hospital in Allen, employing over 1,000 healthcare professionals.
- Teleperformance – A global customer service/call center company with a major site in Allen employing over 1,000 people.
- Raytheon – Major defense and aerospace company with an Allen facility focused on electronics and sensors manufacturing.
In addition to these large employers, Allen also has many thriving small and medium-sized tech companies located in business parks and office centers around the city. This provides excellent job opportunities for residents. The presence of these major companies contributes significant tax revenue to the city budget, allowing investment in infrastructure, schools, parks and other amenities that make Allen an attractive place to live and work.
Attractions and Things to Do
For entertainment and recreation, Allen has many attractions and activities for visitors and residents alike. Some popular attractions include:
- Celebration Park – A large public park with concert amphitheater, botanical gardens, veteran’s tribute and more.
- Joe Farmer Recreation Center – Massive recreation center with indoor/outdoor pools, gymnasiums, sports fields and more.
- Allen Event Center – State-of-the-art event venue hosting concerts, trade shows and community events.
- Bethany Lakes Park – Large park with fishing lakes, walking trails, sports fields and an epic adventure playground.
Shopping is also big attraction in Allen, with nationally known retail stores and restaurants at the Allen Premium Outlets and Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm mixed-use center. Sports fans can cheer on the state champion Allen Eagles high school football team, or catch a professional lacrosse or basketball game with the Dallas Rattlers and Texas Legends who both play home games in Allen.
City Government
Allen has a council-manager form of municipal government. The non-partisan Allen City Council is comprised of the mayor and six council members who are elected at-large for 3-year terms. The City Council appoints a city manager who oversees the daily operations of city departments and public services. You can learn more about Allen’s city government structure and services at the Allen City Government Website.
Moving to and Living in Allen
If you’re considering a move to Allen, rest assured it scores highly in terms of amenities, education, economic opportunity, and overall quality of life. Allen public schools are consistently top-ranked, boasting an average graduating class ACT score of 25 compared to the national average of 21. The crime rate in Allen is nearly 50% lower than the national average, making it one of the safest cities in Texas. And homes in Allen offer great value compared to prices in Dallas proper.
Whether you want to enjoy suburban living at its finest or launch a business in a thriving economic hub, Allen has something for everyone. To keep up with news and events happening in Allen, be sure to like the City of Allen’s Facebook page. For more visitor and relocation information, check out the Visit Allen tourism website.