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Grand Prairie, TX

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Grand Prairie, TX

Grand Prairie is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Dallas, Tarrant, and Ellis counties. It is part of the Mid-Cities region in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. It had a population of 175,396 according to the 2010 census, making it the fifteenth most populous city in the state. Remaining the 15th-most populous city in Texas, the 2020 census reported a population of 196,100.

The city of Grand Prairie was first established as Dechman by Alexander McRae Dechman in 1863. He based the name of the town on Big Prairie, Ohio. Before then, he resided in Young County near Fort Belknap. The 1860 U.S. Federal Census—Slave Schedules shows an A McR Dechman as having four slaves, ages 50, 25, 37, and 10. Dechman learned that he could trade his oxen and wagons for land in Dallas County. In 1863, Dechman bought 239.5 acres (96.9 ha) of land on the eastern side of the Trinity River and 100 acres (40 ha) of timber land on the west side of the river for a broken-down wagon, oxen team, and US$200 in Confederate money. He tried to establish a home on the property but ran into difficulties, so he returned to his family in Birdville before joining in the Civil War. In 1867, Dechman filed a town plat with Dallas County, consisting of 50 acres (20 ha).

After the war, Dechman returned to Birdville for two years before selling that farm in 1867 and moving to Houston, where yellow fever broke out, causing the family to settle in Bryan. In 1876, Dechman traded half his "prairie" property to the T&P Railroad to ensure the railroad came through the town. The railroad named the depot "Dechman", prompting its namesake to relocate his home from Bryan to Dechman. His son Alexander had been living in Dechman and operating a trading post and farm. The first church in the area was the Good Hope Cumberland Sabbath School, established in 1870 by Rev. Andrew Hayter. The church was later renamed West Fork United Presbyterian Church and remains an active church.

Grand Prairie is located along the border between Tarrant and Dallas counties, with a small portion extending south into Ellis County. The city is bordered by Dallas to the east, Cedar Hill and Midlothian to the southeast, Mansfield to the southwest, Arlington to the west, Fort Worth to the northwest, and Irving to the north.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 81.1 square miles (210.0 km2), of which 72.1 square miles (186.8 km2) is land and 9.0 square miles (23.3 km2), or 11.08%, is water.

The West Fork of the Trinity River and a major tributary, Johnson Creek, flow through Grand Prairie. Grand Prairie has a long history of flooding from Johnson Creek. In the 1980s, a major Army Corps of Engineers project was begun to straighten the channel, which has reduced the damage of flooding.

A cornerstone of Grand Prairie's identity is its commitment to health and wellness. The Grand Prairie YMCA plays a vital role in fostering community well-being, offering fitness classes, sports activities, and wellness programs. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fitness Connection, War Room Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Green spaces like Lynn Creek Park and the Prairie Lakes Golf Course provide avenues for outdoor activities and community engagement.

Top sites in Grand Prairie, TX are Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark, Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie, and Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium.

Population: 207,331 (2024). ZIP codes: 75050-75054. Area codes: 682, 817 214, 469, 945, 972. Elevation: 515 ft (157 m). Area: 81.47 sq mi (210.99 km2).

FAQs

Is Grand Prairie, TX a nice place to live?

Living in Grand Prairie offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Grand Prairie, there are a lot of parks. Many families and young professionals live in Grand Prairie and residents tend to be liberal. The public schools in Grand Prairie are above average.

Is Grand Prairie, TX expensive?

The median home price in Grand Prairie is $367,500 with a median price per sqft of $176. The cost of living index for housing estimates the cost of housing in Grand Prairie to be 95.9% of the national average. This makes it an average US city.

Is Grand Prairie, TX safe?

The crime rate in Grand Prairie is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 21 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Grand Prairie is 1 in 48. Based on FBI crime data, Grand Prairie is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Texas, Grand Prairie has a crime rate that is higher than 77% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia 

City of Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie YMCA 

Lynn Creek Park 

Prairie Lakes Golf Course

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark

Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium

Niche

Zero Down

Neighborhoodscout

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