Daily Almanac for
Jul 9, 2008
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United States > U.S. Cities > Profiles of the 50 Largest Cities of the United States

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Fort Worth, Tex.

Mayor: Mike Moncrief (to May 2011)

City Manager: Charles Boswell

2000 census population (rank): 534,694 (27); % change: 19.5; Male: 263,720 (49.3%); Female: 270,974 (50.7%); White: 319,159 (59.7%); Black: 108,310 (20.3%); American Indian and Alaska Native: 3,144 (0.6%); Asian: 14,105 (2.6%); Other race: 75,100 (14.0%); Two or more races: 14,535 (2.7%); Hispanic/Latino: 159,368 (29.8%). 2000 percent population 18 and over: 71.7%; 65 and over: 9.6%; Median age: 30.9.

2005 population estimate (rank): 624,067 (19)

See additional census data

Land area: 293 sq mi. (759 sq km);

Alt.: Highest, 780 ft.; lowest, 520 ft.

Avg. daily temp.: Jan., 43.4° F; July, 85.3° F

Churches: 1,032, representing 72 denominations;

City-owned parks: 222 (10,380 ac.);

Radio stations:1 AM, 29; FM, 48;

Television stations: 13

Civilian Labor Force (PMSA) April 2006: 3,072,000;2

Unemployed: 143,300,2

Percent: 4.72;

Per capita personal income (MSA) 2004: $35,5022

Chamber of Commerce: Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, 777 Taylor Street, Suite 900, Fort Worth, TX 76102

1. Dallas–Fort Worth area. 2. Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, Tex.

Fort Worth, seat of Tarrant County, is situated in the north-central part of Texas on the Trinity River.

The city was founded by Maj. Ripley Arnold in 1849 as a military outpost on the Trinity River to protect settlers moving westward from frequent Indian attacks. It was named after Gen. William J. Worth, the commander of the Texas army. Fort Worth was incorporated in 1873. Its growth was stimulated in the 1870s by its proximity to the Chisholm cattle trail. It prospered as a meat-packing and shipping center when the Texas and Pacific Railway arrived in 1876 and later experienced a new boom when oil was discovered nearby in 1917. The establishment of military installations in the area during both world wars also spurred the economy.

Fort Worth has traditionally been a diverse center of manufacturing and is not dependent on the oil or financial sectors. The city's industries range from clothing and food products to jet fighters, helicopters, computers, pharmaceuticals, and plastics. Fort Worth is a national leader in aviation products, electronic equipment, and refrigeration equipment. It is home to a multitude of major corporate headquarters, offices, and distribution centers.

See also Encyclopedia: Fort Worth.

Selected famous natives and residents:

  • Robert Bass financier;
  • Mark Brooks golfer;
  • Betty Buckley singer and actress;
  • Kate Capshaw actress;
  • Ornette Coleman composer;
  • Sandra Haynie golfer;
  • Patricia Highsmith writer;
  • Spanky McFarland actor;
  • R. Bruce Merrifield Nobelist in chemistry;
  • Roger Miller singer;
  • Fess Parker actor;
  • Bill Paxton actor;
  • Rex Reed critic;
  • Johnny Rutherford auto racer;
  • Liz Smith columnist.

Information Please® Database, © 2007 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

El Paso, Tex.Profiles of the 50 Largest Cities of the United StatesFresno, Calif.
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