Plano, TX

Located in Collins County, Plano is a wealthy suburb of Dallas, Texas. With a population of about 222,000, Plano has been named one of the best places to live in the United States, thanks to its affluent neighborhoods and economy. This all-American city has more restaurants, bars, movie theaters, and golf courses than the average city, and more than 88 percent of residents have health insurance coverage.

Students at Plano's schools regularly earn some of the top scores in the nation, and more than 83 percent of residents have completed some college.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The median house value in Plano is well above the state average, and the average age of a house is below the state average. Neighborhoods in Plano include:

• Dallas North Estates
• Plano Park
• Park Forest
• Briarwood

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

The unemployment rate in Plano is below the state average, largely because of the city's stellar economy and rapid business growth. In fact, 80 percent of visitors to Plano come as the result of a business venture. While Plano's proximity to Dallas is one of the reasons behind this growth, the city is also home to several nationally known companies' headquarters, including:

• Capital One Auto Finance
• Dr Pepper Snapple Group
• Cinemark Theatres
• Frito-Lay
• Gearbox Software
• JCPenney
• Rent-A-Center
• Rug Doctor

FAMILY FUN

• Amazing Jake's: This facility features miniature golf, bumper cars, bowling, arcade games, laser tag, rock climbing, and go-karts.
• Fairview Farms: Visitors travel back to the good old days and experience the Fairview Corral Barn, where pony rides, games, and a petting zoo are all available for kids to enjoy. Fresh produce and other farm goods are also for sale.
• ArtCentre of Plano: This historic downtown building is home to vocal performances, art galleries, and national and local shows featuring artists' work. The center has introduced tens of thousands of students to art in Plano.
• Heritage Farmstead: This Victorian home is situated on a four-acre farm, allowing visitors to learn what life was like in the early 1900s. Guided tours are available.
• Interurban Railway Museum: Tourists can travel back in time to when Plano's main form of transportation was the Texas Electric Railway, where the Interuban was one of the electric cars that ran on the tracks. The Car 360, which carried mail and passengers, is also at the museum.
• Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary: This outdoor preserve is home to various birds, insects, and animals that allow guests to experience Collin County wildlife. Hands-on exhibits and laboratories are also available to guests.

FOR VISITORS

Plano has a significant amount of green space, including:

• Arbor Hills Nature Preserve: Right on the western border of Plano lies this park, which features hiking and walking trails, an off-road cycling trail, an observation tower, a playground, and picnic pavilions.
• Archgate Park: This park is an athletic recreation site with a playground, a pond, hiking and biking trails, and shaded pavilions.
• Bob Woodruff Park: Pavilions, a fishing pier, a hard-surface trail, a playground, and a sand volleyball court make up this park.
• Harrington Park: The park offers horseshoe pits, a sand volleyball court, a playground, and a hard-surface recreational trail.
• Preston Meadow Park: A popular neighborhood destination, this park features athletic fields, hiking and biking trails, a playground, and a picnic pavilion.
• Russell Creek Park: Several athletic complexes, including a soccer field and a basketball court, a small lake, a picnic pavilion, a playground, and hiking and biking trails are all at this park.
• Sgt. Mike McCreary Sports Fields: These various sporting fields are available for use by local athletic organizations and the general public. A reservation must be made for the general public to utilize these fields.
• Shawnee Park: This community park's highlight is a disc golf course. Other features include picnic tables, grills, a playground, a small lake, a fishing pier, and an athletic practice field.

GETTING AROUND

Plano takes advantage of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit system as one of its main modes of transportation. The city also has several major road systems, including such roadways and freeways as the Dallas North Tollway, State Highway 289, and the President George Bush Turnpike.

EDUCATION

DeVry University, Collin County Community College, and a University of Dallas branch campus are all located in the Plano city limits. Numerous colleges and universities are also nearby in the towns and communities that surround Plano.

LOCAL MEDIA

Plano's local television stations include:

• KDFW FOX
• KVII ABC
• KREX CBS
• KXAS NBC

Newspapers serving Plano include:

• Plano Insider
• Plano Profile
• Plano Star Courier
• Inside Collin County Business