Denton, TX

From its charming town square to Texas Motor Speedway, Denton, Texas, blends the old with the new. Home to Texas Woman's University and the University of North Texas, this diverse northeastern Texas city is considered a college town, with the student population having a strong influence on the city's culture, entertainment, and lifestyle.

Many students who attend college in Denton remain in the city after graduation. With a median age of 27, a large portion of the population consists of young, single professionals.

Named for the Texas minister and lawyer John B. Denton, the city is often referred to as the "Redbud Capital of Texas." Denton encompasses about 62 square miles and has a population of about 115,500. The city's population initially grew as a result of its agricultural trade, but today many people live there because of its proximity to Dallas and Fort Worth, both of which are fewer than 40 miles away.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The city of Denton accommodates an urban population of around 114,000 and a rural population of more than 1,500. Neighborhoods and districts of Denton accommodate approximately 32,000 houses, out of which more than 30,000 are occupied. Of the occupied houses, around 40 percent are owner-occupied while renters occupy the remaining 60 percent. The median home price in Denton is slightly higher than the statewide median price.

Denton's downtown area is the focus of the community where history is preserved and citizens and visitors dine, shop, live, and enjoy arts and entertainment. A downtown courthouse restoration was completed in time for the Texas Sesquicentennial in 1986, and more than $36.5 million has been invested in the area since that time.

The city is comprised of 17 neighborhoods, such as Teasley Lane, Bonnnie Brat Street, Lake Dallas and Oak Street.

The walkability of Denton is fair. Most places such as grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops, schools and drug stores are located near the center of the city.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Denton has an unemployment rate of 6.4 percent. Approximately 18 percent of residents are employed in administrative support, 12 percent in sales and 11 percent in teaching jobs.

Some of the most common industries for the residents of Denton include educational services, health care, social assistance, retail trade and accommodation and food services. Some of the major employers include Sally Beauty Holdings, University of North Texas, Presbyterian Hospital-Denton and the Denton Department of Mental Health.

GETTING AROUND

Denton County Transportation Authority operates bus service on a fixed route within the city, as well as transportation from Denton to downtown Dallas. The nonprofit organization Special Program for Aging Needs provides service for senior citizens as well.

Denton residents and visitors also fly in and out of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Dallas-Love Field.

BEST BETS

• Ray Roberts Lake State Park provides a playground, rollerblading and backpacking opportunities, and access to water sports.
• The Sky Theater is located on the campus of the University of North Texas. It features a 40-foot planetarium dome showcasing realistic depictions of the universe.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Denton is home to a dynamic art and music scene. Cultural attractions are typically found on the campuses of the city's two universities and Art Complex. Many musicians have moved to the Denton area because of its reputation as a music town. The city boasts four commercial recording studios, as well as several residential ones.

• The renovated Campus Theater offers live performances all year long.
• Murchison Performing Arts Center is an architecturally impressive structure and has been compared acoustically with concert halls across the globe.
• The Victorian Bayless-Selby House Museum has been restored to its original Queen Anne style and provides exhibits of turn-of-the-century life.
• Rare Book Room and Texana Collections include history books and English literature from the 18th century.
• Pecan Picasso: The Folk Art of B. W. Crawford is a unique collection of artistic figurines by the late B.W. Crawford made entirely out of pecans. Crawford's award-winning pecan people and humorous vignettes include famous figures, such as Ms. Piggy, Dolly Parton, Superman, Mr. T, and Elvis.

EVENTS

• The Denton Arts and Jazz Festival showcases musical performances on four stages throughout the two-day event held each spring. Visitors enjoy rhythm and blues, jazz, pop, choral, dance, theater, and storytelling.
• The North Texas State Fair and Rodeo, held in August, was started more than 80 years ago.

SPORTS TEAMS

There are no professional sports teams located in Denton, so residents cheer on Dallas's teams, which include:

• Baseball: Texas Rangers
• Football: Dallas Cowboys
• Arena Football: Dallas Desperados
• Basketball: Dallas Mavericks
• Hockey: Dallas Stars
• Soccer: FC Dallas

LOCAL MEDIA

Denton receives much of its media from Dallas and Fort Worth, but the city does have a few media outlets of its own, including three local newspapers:

• Denton News Media
• Denton Record Chronicle
• North Texas Daily (published by the university)

Radio stations broadcasting from Denton include:

• KTNO (1440 AM)
• KHCK (99.1 FM)
• KHKS (106.1 FM)

The only TV station that broadcasts from Denton is KDTN (Channel 2).