FACTS ABOUT THE DALLAS AREA

Overview

Dallas-Fort Worth’s location, infrastructure, entrepreneurial culture and strong tradition of philanthropy and corporate giving are all part of the area’s ambitious, positive approach to new opportunities. In addition, Dallas has the security infrastructure and experience to accommodate high-profile dignitaries and events. One of the nation’s top convention centers, Dallas hosts more than 3.5 million convention visitors and 25 million additional tourists annually.

Population and Size

The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, the nation's fifth largest metropolitan area, is home to more than five million residents, almost two million of them first- and second-generation Americans. A million are schoolchildren, and 175,000 are college and university students. The minority population of Dallas is about 41 percent. By 2030, the total population is expected to reach almost eight million.

Industry

Twenty-two Fortune 500 companies located in the Metroplex include such industry giants as ExxonMobil, JC Penney, EDS, AMR (American Airlines), TXU, Kimberly-Clark, Texas Instruments, Southwest Airlines, RadioShack, Neiman Marcus and Fluor Corporation. Dallas ranks fourth in the number of Fortune 500 company headquarters and is the fifth largest media market in the United States.

Philanthropy

The top 200 businesses in the Dallas area overwhelmingly support causes related to education, and 84 percent of area foundations report giving to educational institutions. Dallas has been a major source of support for the presidency of George W. Bush. Donors in two zip codes adjacent to SMU (75205 and 75225) were among the highest contributors to both his presidential campaigns and gubernatorial races.

Transportation

D/FW International Airport connects the city directly with 133 U.S. markets and 36 international destinations. A new international terminal opened in October 2005. By 2010, D/FW is expected to serve 100 million passengers a year. Love Field, 15 minutes from SMU, is the primary hub of Southwest Airlines and serves six million passengers annually. One of the busiest rail stations of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit System (DART) is adjacent to SMU.

Arts and Culture

Dallas offers top-tier cultural centers including the Nasher Sculpture Center, Dallas Museum of Art, Meyerson Symphony Center and SMU’s Meadows Museum. The new Dallas Center for the Performing Arts, a multi-venue center for music, opera, theatre and dance, is scheduled to open in downtown Dallas in 2009.

Sports

The Dallas area is home to the Dallas Cowboys, Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Dallas Burn, Lone Star Park, Texas Motor Speedway and professional golf tournaments.

# # #