Flower Mound, Texas: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 01:38, 30 April 2025

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox settlement

Flower Mound is an incorporated town<ref group="Note">Flower Mound refers to itself as the "Town of Flower Mound", with a "Town Hall" and a "Town Council", rather than the customary "city" label. However, under Texas law, all incorporated municipalities are considered to be cities.</ref> located in Denton and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas.Template:Sfn<ref name="The County Information Project Texas Association of Counties">Template:Cite web</ref> Located northwest of Dallas and northeast of Fort Worth adjacent to Grapevine Lake, the town derives its name from a prominent Template:Convert mound located in the center of town.

After settlers used the site for religious camps during the 1840s, the area around Flower Mound was first permanently inhabited in the 1850s; however, residents did not incorporate until 1961. Although an effort to create a planned community failed in the early 1970s, Flower Mound's population increased substantially when Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport opened to the south in 1974. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 75,956, reflecting a 17% increase over the 64,669 counted in the 2010 census.<ref name="DecennialCensus">Template:Cite web</ref> Of the Texas municipalities that label themselves "towns", Flower Mound has the largest population. Flower Mound was the only town with a population greater than 20,000 in the 2020 census.

Flower Mound's municipal government, operating under a council–manager system, has invested in a public park system highlighted by an extensive network of trails. Lewisville Independent School District, which operates public schools, covers the majority of Flower Mound. With its moderately affluent population and proximity to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex, Flower Mound has used a smart growth system for urban planning, and has recently experienced more rapid light industrial growth to match the growing needs of the primarily residential community.

History

Settlement in the area around Flower Mound began when the Presbyterians established a camp in the area in the 1840s.Template:Sfn A log cabin, dated around 1850, was discovered preserved within the walls of a home near Liberty Elementary in 2016, providing further proof of settlement. At first, the group held religious camps for two to three weeks at a time.Template:Sfn By 1854, residents had established the Flower Mound Presbyterian Church southwest of Lewisville in an area commonly referred to as "Long Prairie".Template:Sfn Template:Sfn By 1920, the church had 126 members,Template:Sfn and the pine-framed building was expanded in 1937.Template:Sfn Early settlers such as Andrew Morriss and David Kirkpatrick are memorialized with street names in the town. The area remained sparsely populated for many decades after its initial settlement.

On February 25, 1961, the town voted to incorporate to avoid annexation by the City of Irving.Template:Sfn William Wilkerson, who became the town's second mayor, led the incorporation effort and helped improve the town's phone service and water supply.Template:Sfn In 1970, when Flower Mound had 1,685 residents, Edward S. Marcus and Raymond Nasher began a planned community project with $18 million in loan guarantees from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development through their New Community program.Template:Sfn Called "Flower Mound New Town", the project included elements of the new towns movement, including collaboration with North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas) to move the school's administrative offices to Flower Mound and conduct all research for the project.Template:Sfn The project was featured in advertisements as late as 1974,Template:Sfn but it was abandoned after residents threatened to disannex a portion of the town to thwart the development.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn The disannexation effort sharply divided the town, and led to a number of strongly contested elections between 1971 and 1976.Template:Sfn In 1976, Texas Monthly awarded the project its "Bum Steer Award" after the project lost its federal loan guarantees.Template:Sfn

The construction of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport Template:Convert south of the town in 1974 sparked a period of rapid growth. Between 1980 and 1990, Flower Mound's population increased from 4,402 to 15,896. It reached 50,702 in 2000, an average annual increase of nearly 13 percent per year during the 1990s, making it the nation's tenth fastest-growing community.Template:Sfn Between 2000 and 2002, Flower Mound was the ninth fastest-growing municipality in the United States with a population of more than 50,000, and its population continued to increase by approximately five percent each year between 2000 and 2005. Controlled growth continues in central and western Flower Mound.

Geography

Flower Mound is located approximately Template:Convert northwest of Dallas and Template:Convert northeast of Fort Worth on the border between Denton and Tarrant counties. The town is located almost entirely in Denton County, however it has areas that extend into Tarrant County.Template:Sfn It is situated on the basin of the Trinity River in the Eastern Cross Timbers subregion in Texas.Template:Sfn The town borders Lewisville to the east and a number of cities and towns to the north, including Highland Village, Double Oak, and Bartonville. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of Template:Convert.Template:Sfn Land comprises Template:Convert (95.37%) of the total area; Denton County soils include the Silawa, Nawo, Gasil series.Template:Sfn Water comprises Template:Convert (5.76%) of the total area; Grapevine Lake and Marshall Creek form much of the town's southern boundary. Flower Mound's climate is classified as humid subtropical; the town averages 233 sunny days per year and 79 days of precipitation.Template:Sfn

The town encourages conservation development projects to protect and preserve existing open space, vistas, and natural habitats while allowing for controlled growth. Much of the town is located on the Barnett Shale, and drilling for shale gas in close proximity to residential neighborhoods has sharply divided parts of the community.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn Template:Sfn In 1994, amateur fossil collector Gary Byrd discovered a fossilized example of a Hadrosaurid dinosaur among black shale rock formations in the southwestern edge of the town, near Grapevine Lake.Template:Sfn The fossilized creature from the Cenomanian age was named "Protohadros byrdi" in Byrd's honor.Template:Sfn

“The Mound”

Flower Mound was named for a Template:Convert hill approximately Template:Convert in height located close to the intersection of FM 3040 and FM 2499. The formation attracted the attention of early settlers to the area, and is often simply referred to as "The Mound". Part of the Texas blackland prairies, The Mound is typically covered by big bluestem, little bluestem, and Indian grasses.Template:Sfn During blooming seasons, dozens of varieties of flowers can grow on its slopes, often aided by the water retained by gilgai formations.Template:Sfn Though surrounded by commercial and residential development, The Mound is owned and maintained by The Mound Foundation, a non-profit private–public partnership. The group has advocated for a controlled burn on The Mound for many years,Template:Sfn and it expressed relief when an accidental New Year's Eve fire in late 2011 spurred the growth of wildflowers for the first time in years.Template:Sfn

Climate

Template:Weather box

Demographics

Template:US Census population

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

**Flower Mound's racial and ethnic composition as of 2024**<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>
(NH = Non-Hispanic)Template:Efn
Race	Number	Percentage
White (NH)	53,232	65.5%
Black or African American (NH)	2,682	3.3%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH)	487	0.6%
Asian and Pacific Islander (NH)	13,328	16.4%
Other Race (NH)	2,357	2.9%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH)	8,858	10.9%
Hispanic or Latino	9,589	11.8%
Total	81,270	100%

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 64,669 people and 14,269 families residing in 21,570 housing units in Flower Mound. The population density was Template:Convert. As of the 2020 United States census, there were 75,956 people, 26,233 households, and 21,954 families residing in the town.<ref name=":0" />

In 2010, the racial and ethnic makeup of the town was 83.9% White, 3.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 8.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.4% of the population. The average household size was 3.072 people.Template:Sfn Among the population in 2020, the racial and ethnic makeup was 66.02% non-Hispanic white, 3.37% African American, 0.38% Native American, 14.09% Asian American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.42% some other race, 4.56% multiracial, and 11.11% Hispanic or Latino of any race; these statistics reflected nationwide trends of demographic diversification.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

According to a 2011 American Community Survey estimate, the median income for a household was $118,763, and the median income for a family was $126,336. Males had a median income of $95,284 versus $56,692 for females. The per capita income for the town was $44,042. About 2% of families and 3.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.5% of those under age 18 and 1.1% of those age 65 or over.Template:Sfn

The town's population is often noted for its moderately affluent, yet relatively transient residents. Although Flower Mound has the second-highest percentage of residents making over $100,000 in the nation,Template:Sfn Journalist Peter T. Kilborn named Flower Mound a "Reloville", a title used to describe suburban communities where management employees often relocate frequently; as of 2006, 57% of residents were born in another state or country.Template:Sfn

Economy

The Lewisville Independent School District is the largest employer in the town, employing 1,647 (4.8% of the town's total employment).Template:Sfn The Town of Flower Mound employs 455. Between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2009, the town experienced job growth of 26.53%.Template:Sfn Due to the town's proximity to the DFW airport and many various major highways, a great number of businesses have recently moved some of their local operations into the town.

Adeptus Health was founded in 2002, with its first emergency room located in Flower Mound.<ref name=dallasnews>Template:Cite web</ref>

Lakeside Business District

The town of Flower Mound recognizes two major areas of current economic development: the Lakeside Business District and the Denton Creek District. The Template:Convert Lakeside Business District includes plots of land zoned for various commercial and residential uses at the southern edge of town near the Grapevine Lake.Template:Sfn The project filed for bankruptcy in the year 2010,Template:Sfn but in February of the year 2012, the company Realty Capital unveiled a $1 billion and two dollar plan for a mixed-use development project within the district.Template:Sfn The members of the Flower Mound town council voted to approve the project in November of the year 2012,Template:Sfn and development of the Template:Convert project was scheduled in six phases.Template:Sfn Construction on the first phase, which includes Template:Convert of commercial space, 170 loft apartments, and 170 home lots, began in April 2013.Template:Sfn

Denton Creek District

In 2006, the town began to consider mixed-use development plans for the Template:Convert Denton Creek District at the western edge of the town.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn In 2010, the town began to provide infrastructural support to the area.Template:Sfn Additionally, developers broke ground on a Template:Convert mixed-use riverwalk project in August 2013.Template:Sfn Residents were scheduled to vote on whether to approve public funding for the district for the 2013 general election.Template:Sfn

Parker Square

The University of Las Colinas (2020) filmed at a shopping mall, the 2003 Society of American Registered Architects Design Award winning, David M. Schwarz Architects, Inc. designed, Parker Square, "a compact neighborhood center" "inspired by the traditional developments of American “main streets” and Texas small towns".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>

</ref>

Top employers

According to Flower Mound's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the top private sector employers in the town were:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1	Communications Test Design, Inc. (CTDI)	1,340
2	MI Windows & Doors	771
3	Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Flower Mound	700
4	Stryker Communications	480
5	Likewize	400
6	Thirty-One Gifts	375
7	Best Buy Distribution Center	250
7	FUNimation Entertainment	250
9	HD Supply	200
10	Ivie & Associates	190
X	Top employer total	4,956

Parks and recreation

File:Flower Mound Community Activity Center.png

The Flower Mound Community Activity Center, which opened in 2008Template:Sfn

The Town of Flower Mound operates 54 public parks and recreation facilities on Template:Convert of space, nine of which (comprising Template:Convert) are undeveloped as of 2012.Template:Sfn In June 2008, the town held the grand opening for its new $13.825 million community activity center, which includes meeting rooms, a day care facility, weight lifting equipment, an outdoor pool, and a Template:Convert competition indoor pool.Template:Sfn In honor of Lance Corporal Jacob Lugo, the first military serviceman from Flower Mound to die in the line of duty, the town renamed Hilltop Park to Jake's Hilltop Park in 2008. Jake's Hilltop Park is made up of baseball/ softball fields.Template:Sfn

In 2016 Flower Mound completed and opened its first dog park, a 5-acre Hound Mound Dog Park, costing over $1 million.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2018 the Town of Flower Mound opened a 2000 sq. ft. splash pad as part of an addition to Heritage Park.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Trail system

In 1976, in response to environmental concerns and automobile traffic congestion, Flower Mound residents proposed adding a system of recreational bike paths around the town.Template:Sfn Initially, funding proved elusive, but by 1989 the first Template:Convert of multi-use trails had been constructed, partly funded by a grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. In 2010, the town maintained Template:Convert of paved hiking and bicycling paths and Template:Convert of equestrian trails. The Purple Cone Flower trail starts in Stone Creek Park and is used by runners, walkers and dog walkers and bikers.

Additionally, the United States Army Corps of Engineers maintains Template:Convert of natural surface trails and Template:Convert of equestrian trails within the town limits, most of which are located around Grapevine Lake.Template:Sfn The North Shore trail starts at Rock Ledge Park and travels west through Murrell Park and Twin Coves Park. (now owned by Flower Mound). A dirt and rock surface trail used predominantly by mountain bikers,<ref>http://www.dorba.org DORBA.org</ref> hikers, trail runners and dog walkers.

Government

The Town of Flower Mound has been a home rule municipality since 1981, and it has operated under a council–manager type of municipal government since 1989.Template:Sfn Residents elect five at-large members to the Flower Mound Town Council and one mayor. Members serve two-year terms.Template:Sfn In 1999, the town adopted a Strategically Managed And Responsible Town (SMART) Growth Program to manage both the rate and character of development in the community, and in 2000, the town officially adopted its SMARTGrowth management plan.Template:Sfn The program's goal was to create environmentally sensitive development and to mitigate the effects of urban sprawl.<ref group="Note">In November 1999, then Texas Attorney General John Cornyn advised Texas House of Representatives member Bill G. Carter that under the SMARTGrowth program, the town could "cap" the number of building plans the town approves.Template:Sfn</ref> Political scientist Allan Saxe and attorney Terrence S. Welch have used Flower Mound's program as an example of a municipality attempting to slow growth.Template:Sfn Template:Sfn In 2013, the town amended the portion of the plan pertaining to public schools; the changes spurred public debate between candidates for town council.Template:Sfn

According to the town's 2013–2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the town's various funds had $114.6 million in revenues, $101.8 million in expenditures, $513.3 million in total assets, $155.9 million in total liabilities, and $68.1 million in cash and investments.<ref name=" Town of Flower Mound CAFR">Town of Flower Mound 2013-14 CAFR Retrieved July 2, 2015</ref>

The structure of the management and coordination of town services is led by a town manager, deputy town manager and other roles.<ref name=" Town of Flower Mound FY2014-15 Budget">Town of Flower Mound FY2014-15 Budget Retrieved July 2, 2015</ref>

Education

The town is mostly served by the Lewisville Independent School District. the western portion of Flower Mound is divided between the Argyle, Denton and Northwest Independent School Districts and the portion of Flower Mound that falls into Tarrant County is in the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The town is home to three separate high schools, Edward S. Marcus High School, Flower Mound High School, (both part of the Lewisville district) and Argyle ISDs new Argyle High School campus.

Private schools in the town include such educational facilities as:

Coram Deo Academy
Lewisville Christian School<ref>Lewisville Christian School</ref>
Grace Christian Academy<ref>Grace Christian Academy</ref>
Temple Christian Academy<ref>Temple Christian Academy</ref>

ResponsiveEd, the Lewisville-based charter school operator, operates a Founders Classical Academy in Flower Mound; the campus is located in west Flower Mound at FM1171 (Cross Timbers) and Flower Mound Road.

North Central Texas College has a community college branch campus within Parker Square in the town of Flower Mound.Template:Sfn Midwestern State University has a branch facility, in conjunction with NCTC in the Parker Square location, which will offer master's degree programs amongst other services.

Infrastructure

Transportation

At the western edge of the town, U.S. Route 377 extends north–south parallel to Interstate 35W towards Denton and Fort Worth. Two of the major thoroughfares in the town of Flower Mound are farm-to-market roads: FM 1171, known in Flower Mound as the Cross Timbers Road, which runs east–west across the entire town towards Interstate 35E to the east and Interstate 35W to the west.Template:Sfn FM 2499 (which is known locally as Long Prairie) runs north–south and furnishes access to State Highway 121 and Interstate 635, north of DFW Airport.Template:Sfn

In the June 2012, the members of the Flower Mound Town Council approved a plan to develop and regulate a series of various bike lanes around the town.Template:Sfn

In the year 2012, the National Motorists Association released a poll listing Flower Mound as the "worst speed trap city" in North America with a population of over 50,002. Locals say it is not one anymore.Template:Sfn