Frisco is a city located in Collin and Denton counties in the U.S. state of Texas. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Frisco has seen rapid growth in recent years and is one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.
Population
According to the Wikipedia page for Frisco, the city’s population was estimated at 223,989 as of 2021. This makes Frisco the 11th most populous city in the state of Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex as a whole is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the United States.
Frisco has seen explosive growth since its incorporation in 1987 when the population was just over 1,000. By 2000, the population had grown to 33,714 and over the next two decades, saw growth rates of over 275%. This rapid expansion is expected to continue, with projections showing the population reaching 325,000 by 2030.
Economy and Major Employers
The proximity to Dallas and the availability of land helped make Frisco an attractive location for corporations and new development. As the population boomed, the economy grew right alongside it.
Some of the major employers in Frisco as of 2022 include:
- Frisco Independent School District – over 6,700 employees
- T-Mobile – over 5,000 employees
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – over 2,700 employees
- City of Frisco – over 1,000 employees
- Walmart – over 900 employees
Other large companies with regional headquarters or major offices in Frisco include IKEA, the Dallas Cowboys, Oracle, ExxonMobil, and many others. The diverse mix of industries and employers has helped create a strong and resilient economy.
In the decades since 1990, Frisco’s economy has diversified beyond residential and commercial construction to include a growing array of businesses in tech, finance, healthcare and other sectors. The city now has over 130 corporate headquarters based here. With all the economic growth, the median household income in Frisco as of 2021 was estimated at $129,928 – significantly higher than both the Texas and national averages.
Landmarks
Despite being one of the fastest growing cities in America, Frisco has done a good job of preserving and creating new community landmarks.
Some of the most famous Frisco landmarks include:
- The Sci-Tech Discovery Center – a hands-on science museum great for kids and adults alike.
- The National Videogame Museum – the largest museum of its kind with over 40,000 square feet of interactive displays spanning video game history.
- The Frisco Heritage Museum – located in a restored 1902 farmhouse, tracing local history all the way back to the city’s pioneer founding.
- The Frisco Water Tower – originally built in the 1950s as part of the water supply system, the tower was saved from demolition and turned into an iconic city symbol.
In addition to museums and historic sites, Frisco has an array of parks, recreational facilities, shopping centers, and entertainment venues that serve as community anchors as the population expands.
Sports
Frisco is home to several professional sports operations, most notably the headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys moved their corporate offices and training facilities to Frisco in 2016 with the construction of The Star – a 91-acre campus that includes indoor and outdoor practice fields, restaurants, a hotel, and more. TheFord Center stadium located here can seat up to 12,000 people for high school and college games.
On the ice, the National Hockey League’s Dallas Stars have their practice facility in Frisco. The Dr Pepper Arena includes two ice rinks for the pro team and for public use.
For baseball fans, the Texas League AA affiliate of the Texas Rangers known as the Frisco RoughRiders play their home games at the award-winning Riders Field. Opened in 2003, the nearly 10,000 seat ballpark provides affordable family fun right in the heart of Frisco.
City Government
The City of Frisco operates under a council-manager system of government. The city council consists of the mayor and six council members who pass legislation, adopt budgets, and set policy. The city manager is hired by the council to carry out policies and ensure efficient city operations.
Frisco residents can learn more about their elected officials, city services, departments, and more on the City of Frisco’s official website. Council and planning & zoning meetings are open to the public.
Tourism
Tourism has played an increasingly important role in Frisco’s economy. Sports tourism particularly brings in lots of visitors thanks to the major facilities located here. Concerts and other events at venues like the Ford Center also attract attention.
The Visit Frisco website sponsored by the Frisco Convention and Visitors Bureau offers tips on things to do, places to stay, and other useful information for travelers. Frisco makes for a great weekend getaway with its plentiful shopping, dining, arts and entertainment options.
Community
Despite its rapid expansion, Frisco has maintained a strong sense of community identity and civic pride. Neighbors can stay connected through the Frisco Facebook page, city events, volunteering, youth sports leagues, churches, and a wide array of other social organizations.
New residents will find plenty of ways to get assimilated quickly and become part of this vibrant, growing North Texas hub.