Garland

by The Linguist

Garland, Texas

With a population of 238,002 as of the 2020 census, Garland is the 12th most populous city in the state of Texas. Located in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Garland is a suburb northeast of downtown Dallas in Dallas County. Garland has a rich history dating back to the mid-1800s and has grown into a thriving city with a diverse economy and many attractions.

History

Garland was founded in 1887 by a businessman named William States Jacobs. He purchased 2,000 acres of land and established a town centered around a railroad depot for the Santa Fe Railroad which had a stop in the area. The town was named Garland after U.S. Attorney General Augustus Hill Garland. In 1891, Garland was incorporated with a population of just 819 residents [1].

The population grew steadily in the early 20th century. By 1930, there were over 3,000 residents. After World War II, the population boomed reaching over 45,000 by 1960. Rapid suburban growth continued near Dallas and by 1980 Garland’s population exceeded 138,000. Growth has continued with the population topping 238,000 as of 2020. Today, Garland is a large suburban city with diverse neighborhoods and a thriving economy.

Economy

Garland has a diverse economy with major industries including manufacturing, healthcare, education, retail, and technology. Some of the top employers in Garland include:

  • Raytheon – 6,800 employees [101 E Spring Valley Rd, Garland, TX 75041] [(972) 205-5800]
  • General Dynamics – 4,250 employees [6565 N MacArthur Blvd #100, Irving, TX 75039] [(972) 603-4321]
  • Baylor Scott and White Medical Center – 2,823 employees [2300 Marie Curie Dr, Garland, TX 75042] [(214) 573-3000]
  • Walmart – 2,500 employees [571 W Interstate 30, Garland, TX 75043] [(972) 276-0481]
  • Marketplace at Firewheel – 1,200 employees [425 Firewheel Pkwy, Garland, TX 75040] [(972) 234-2660]

Major business and industrial areas include the Richland Technology Center, Garland Industrial Park, and Shiloh Green Business Park. The city has invested in revitalizing its historic downtown square into a vibrant mixed-use district [2].

For more on Garland’s economy and job growth, visit the Garland Economic Development Partnership [3].

Landmarks and Attractions

Some of the notable landmarks and attractions in Garland include:

Downtown Garland

Historic downtown Garland centers around the preserved Santa Fe depot and charming town square dating back to the late 1800s. It features shops, restaurants, live music, and community events [4].

Downtown Garland Address: Sixth Street, Garland, TX 75040 GPS: 32.912611, -96.638598

Firewheel Town Center

Firewheel Town Center is a large outdoor shopping mall with over 100 stores, restaurants, and a movie theater. It is one of the top shopping destinations in the region [5].

Firewheel Town Center Address: 255 Cedar Sage Dr, Garland, TX 75040 GPS: 32.947300, -96.635818

Hawaiian Falls Garland

Hawaiian Falls Garland is a large 22-acre waterpark with thrill rides, slides, pools, and splash areas. It provides family fun during the hot Texas summers [6].

Hawaiian Falls Garland Address: 4400 North Garland Ave., Garland, TX 75040 GPS: 32.948323, -96.633768

Public Library

The Garland Public Library system serves the city with multiple branch locations. The central Nicholson Memorial Library in downtown Garland was originally built in 1925 with renovations and expansions over the years. The library has over 260,000 books, movies, and other items. It provides services and programs for all ages [7].

Nicholson Memorial Library Address: 625 Austin St, Garland, TX 75040 Phone: (972) 205-2502

Museums

Some of the notable museums in Garland include:

Garland Landmark Museum

This museum located in historic downtown highlights the history and culture of Garland. It occupies a restored grocery store building from 1901 and contains permanent and rotating exhibits [8].

Garland Landmark Museum Address: 393 N 6th St, Garland, TX 75040 Phone: (972) 205-2769

Rialto Theatre Center

Built in 1925, the historic Rialto Theatre occupies the original downtown area and now serves as a performing arts center and museum. It has exhibits on Garland history and hosts community theatre productions [9].

Rialto Theatre Center Address: 110 S 6th St, Garland, TX 75040 Phone: (972) 205-2790

Public Transportation

Public transportation in Garland is provided by Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). There are three light rail stations that serve Garland allowing access to downtown Dallas and other metroplex communities. In addition, there are several bus routes running through Garland [10].

Major Employers

As mentioned above, some of the largest employers in Garland include:

  • Raytheon [101 E Spring Valley Rd, Garland, TX 75041] [(972) 205-5800]
  • General Dynamics [6565 N MacArthur Blvd #100, Irving, TX 75039] [(972) 603-4321]
  • Baylor Scott and White Medical Center [2300 Marie Curie Dr, Garland, TX 75042] [(214) 573-3000]
  • Walmart [571 W Interstate 30, Garland, TX 75043] [(972) 276-0481]
  • Marketplace at Firewheel [425 Firewheel Pkwy, Garland, TX 75040] [(972) 234-2660]

County Information

Garland is located within Dallas County. Dallas County was founded in 1846 and includes many major cities in north Texas. The county seat is Dallas. Visit the Dallas County website to learn more and find contact information.

Dallas County Administration Building 411 Elm Street Dallas, TX 75202 (214) 653-7955

School Districts

Public schools in Garland are operated by the Garland Independent School District. The district has over 57,000 students across its early childhood centers, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and alternative campuses. In addition to neighborhood schools, GISD operates specialized schools and programs in areas like STEM, fine arts, and career & technical education. Learn more at the Garland ISD website.

Garland ISD Administration 501 S Jupiter Rd Garland, TX 75042 (972) 494-8201

Local Resources

Here are some additional resources to help you find your way around Garland:

Google Map of Garland