Richardson

by The Linguist

Introduction

With a population of over 120,000 people, Richardson is the largest Dallas suburb north of I-635. Part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, Richardson has established itself as a hub for the telecommunications and technology industries. Major employers include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas, RealPage, and Raytheon Intelligence & Space. Richardson is also known for its diversity, with significant Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern populations.

History

Richardson was founded in 1873 as a stop along the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. The city was named after railroad contractor E.H. Richardson. Cotton was the main agricultural product early on, but the city began to grow rapidly in the 1950s. The arrival of technology companies in the 1980s and 1990s cemented Richardson’s reputation as a hub for the telecom industry.

Population

According to the 2020 Census, Richardson has a population of 121,860 residents, making it the 39th most populous city in Texas. Richardson saw rapid growth in the late 20th century, with its population nearly tripling between 1970 and 1990. While growth has slowed in recent decades, Richardson’s population increased by over 7% between 2010 and 2020.

Economy

With its highly educated workforce, Richardson is home to a major telecom and technology cluster. Major employers include:

In addition to telecom and tech, Richardson has a diverse business community covering sectors like healthcare, finance, professional services, and retail. Major business parks include the Telecom Corridor and the Richardson Tech Business Park.

Culture and Diversity

Richardson is a diverse suburb with significant Asian, Hispanic, and Middle Eastern populations. Over 25% of residents are Asian, including large communities of Chinese, Indians, Koreans, and Vietnamese. Richardson has multiple Asian shopping centers and restaurants serving cuisines like sushi, pho, Korean BBQ, and Indian curries.

The city also has a vibrant Hispanic community making up over 15% of the population. Richardson is home to the La Galeria shopping center, one of the largest Latino-oriented malls in North Texas.

Reflecting its diverse makeup, Richardson residents speak a variety of languages at home including English, Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Vietnamese, Korean, Urdu, and Arabic.

Landmarks and Attractions

Some of Richardson’s most notable attractions include:

  • Galatyn Park Urban Center – Mixed-use district with a performance hall, public plaza, and the Charles W. Eisemann Center for Performing Arts.
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center – Major medical education and research center affiliated with the University of Texas Southwestern.
  • Breckinridge Park – Large municipal park featuring hiking trails, tennis courts, golf course, recreation center, and arts center.
  • Cottonwood Art Festival – Top regional art fair held each May and October at Cottonwood Park.

In addition, Richardson provides easy access to attractions in neighboring Dallas like the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Six Flags Over Texas amusement park, and Fair Park.

Local Government

Richardson has a council-manager system of government. The city council consists of the mayor and six council members who pass legislation and set policy. The city manager oversees the daily operations of the municipal government and implements the council’s vision. Richardson’s current mayor is Paul Voelker, first elected in 2015.

Sports

While there are no major professional sports teams in Richardson, the city is home to youth, high school, and collegiate athletics. The city operates over 60 parks and sports facilities including ballfields, basketball courts, tennis courts, and swimming pools. Richardson schools compete in top Dallas-area leagues like the University Interscholastic League.

The city is also home to the University of Texas at Dallas athletics program. The UT Dallas Comets compete in NCAA Division III sports including basketball, soccer, volleyball tennis, cross country, and track and field.

Facebook

You can follow the latest news and events in Richardson by liking the City of Richardson’s Facebook page. The page has over 18,000 followers and shares information on local government initiatives, community events, economic development, public safety, and more.