Fort Worth

by The Linguist

 

Fort Worth, Texas – The City of Cowboys and Culture

With a population of over 900,000, Fort Worth is the 13th largest city in the United States and the 5th largest city in Texas. Located in North Texas, it forms part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, the 4th largest metropolitan area in the country.

History

Fort Worth traces its origins to 1849 as an Army outpost on the Trinity River. It was established to protect settlers after the Mexican-American War. The city was named after General William Jenkins Worth, a commander during the war. It later became a major center for the long cattle drives north to Kansas. By the late 1800s, the city developed into a prosperous cattle, banking, and distribution center. The discovery of oil in the early 1900s led to even more growth. Over time, Fort Worth diversified its economy beyond just cattle and oil, although these industries are still important today. Some key moments in Fort Worth’s history include:

  • 1849 – Established as an Army outpost
  • 1853 – Became civilian settlement
  • 1873 – First rail lines arrived
  • 1901 – Major oil strike discovered west of city
  • 1918 – Became site of several WWI military airfields
  • 1953 -Opened Amon Carter Museum of Western Art
  • 1974 – The original Texas Stadium opened
  • 2002 – Several new museums opened in the Cultural District

To learn more about the history of Fort Worth, visit the Fort Worth Public Library site.

Economy

Fort Worth has a diverse economy worth over $100 billion. Major industries include:

  • Defense: Lockheed Martin and Bell Helicopter have major manufacturing plants in the city.
  • Energy: Many oil and gas companies are headquartered in Fort Worth.
  • Financial Services: Over 20 banks and financial service firms have offices in Fort Worth.
  • Technology: Fort Worth has an emerging tech sector focused on aerospace, cybersecurity, and more.
  • Logistics: The city’s central location makes it a major hub for shipping and logistics.
  • Manufacturing: General Motors, Peterbilt, and many aviation part suppliers have factories in the city.

Some of the top major employers in Fort Worth include:

To learn more about the economy and business climate in Fort Worth, visit the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce site.

Attractions and Landmarks

Fort Worth has many attractions for visitors and residents to enjoy, including:

Some other popular landmarks and points of interest include:

To plan your visit to Fort Worth’s top attractions, check out the Visit Fort Worth tourism site.

Notable Landmarks

Here are the GPS coordinates for 3 notable landmarks in Fort Worth:

  • Sundance Square Plaza – 32°45’3.81″N, 97°19’54.57″W
  • Fort Worth Water Gardens – 32°45’6.72″N, 97°19’52.26″W
  • Sid Richardson Museum – 32°42’43.25″N, 97°19’57.83″W

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Fort Worth and surrounding areas is provided by Trinity Metro, which operates bus and commuter rail lines. Key services include:

  • Trinity Railway Express: Commuter rail line connecting downtown Fort Worth with downtown Dallas. Has 8 stations in Fort Worth.
  • TEXRail: Commuter rail line connecting downtown Fort Worth with DFW International Airport’s Terminal B.
  • Bus Service: Extensive bus system with dozens of routes serving Fort Worth and neighboring cities.

Fares and schedule information can be found on the Trinity Metro website. Trinity Metro also offers parking, vanpooling, and other transportation services.

Museums

Fort Worth is known as the “City of Museums” thanks to its many world-class museums located in the Cultural District. Top museums include:

Other excellent museums in Fort Worth include the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, Moncrief Cancer Institute, National Multicultural Western Heritage Museum, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and more.

Geography and Demographics

Fort Worth is located in north central Texas. It covers nearly 300 square miles in Tarrant and Denton counties. The city lies along the Trinity River and is about 30 miles west of downtown Dallas. Some key geographic facts:

In terms of demographics, Fort Worth has a diverse population consisting of:

  • 64% White
  • 20% Hispanic/Latino
  • 15% Black/African American
  • 4% Asian
  • 3% Two or more races

School Districts

There are several school districts serving Fort Worth residents, including:

There are also many private and charter schools in the Fort Worth area.

Local Resources

Here are some additional resources for residents and visitors:

For more local services and resources, visit the City of Fort Worth website.

Map of Fort Worth

This embedded Google Map shows the city boundaries of Fort Worth, Texas and the surrounding region.