Rockwall, Texas

Rockwall is a city in Rockwall County, Texas, United States, which is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. It is the county seat of Rockwall County.[7] The population was 37,490 at the 2010 census. The name Rockwall is derived from a naturally jointed geological formation, which has the appearance of an artificial wall.[8][9]

Rockwall, Texas
City
City of Rockwall
Rusk Street in Rockwall
Location of Rockwall in Rockwall County, Texas
Coordinates: 32°55′52″N 96°27′35″W[1]
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountyRockwall
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor: Jim Pruitt (R)[2]
Mayor Pro Tem Kevin Fowler
John Hohenshelt
Dana Macalik
Bennie Daniels
Trace Johannesen
Anna Campbell
 • City ManagerRick Crowley
Area
 • Total29.97 sq mi (77.62 km2)
 • Land29.47 sq mi (76.33 km2)
 • Water0.50 sq mi (1.29 km2)  1.63%
Elevation591 ft (180 m)
Population
 • Total37,490
 • Estimate 
(2019)[5]
45,888
 • Density1,556.95/sq mi (601.15/km2)
Demonym(s)Rockwallian, Rockwallite
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
75032, 75087
Area code(s)214, 469, 972
FIPS code48-62828[6]
GNIS feature ID1345424[1]
Websitewww.rockwall.com

History

The association of Paleo-Indian artifacts with extinct Pleistocene mammal remains in various archeological sites within in the Texas Prairie-Savannah Region of eastern North Central Texas, including a site in Collin County and Clovis points recovered from the Brushy Creek Clovis Site in Hunt County, demonstrates that Rockwall region was occupied by prehistoric Native American cultures at least as far back as 13,500 to 13,000 years ago.[10][11][12] More recently, the Rockwall region was occupied by Caddo Indians. Creek Indians moved to the area in the early 19th century.

In 1851, as the first Anglo-American settlers moved to the area, they started to dig wells. During the digging, they found large underground rock walls that were initially believed to be manmade. Later study of the wall-like features by geologists and archaeologists found them to be jointed, natural sandstone dikes that had intruded Cretaceous marl.[8][9] In 2013, forensic geologist, Scott Wolter, on the television show America Unearthed, visited Rockwall to investigate the claims that the wall might have been manmade, and the conclusion of the episode was that the underground structure was natural and not man-made.[13]

The town was established April 17, 1854 and named after these natural rock walls. While originally part of Kaufman County, in 1873, Rockwall County was formed with Rockwall being the county seat.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.6 square miles (82 km2), of which, 22.3 square miles (58 km2) of it is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) of it (1.63%) is water.

Rockwall is on the east shore of Lake Ray Hubbard about 20 miles northeast of Dallas. It is on state highways 205 and 66, north of Interstate 30.[14]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rockwall has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[15]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880215—
1890843292.1%
19001,24547.7%
19101,136−8.8%
19201,38822.2%
19301,074−22.6%
19401,31822.7%
19501,50113.9%
19602,16644.3%
19703,12144.1%
19805,93990.3%
199010,48676.6%
200017,97671.4%
201037,490108.6%
Est. 201945,888[5]22.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 17,976 people, 6,605 households, and 5,158 families residing in the city. The population density was 806.9 people per square mile (311.5/km2). There were 7,089 housing units at an average density of 318.2 per square mile (122.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.35% White, 3.00% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.57% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.44% of the population.

There were 6,605 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $65,411, and the median income for a family was $75,121. Males had a median income of $55,370 versus $35,139 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,843. About 3.2% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.

Though Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas, it is also one of the top five fastest-growing counties in the United States. As of the 2006 census by the North Texas Central Council of Governments, the city had a population of 29,500. In 2006, Rockwall County was the fastest-growing county in the United States by population.

Economy

According to the City's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[17] the top employers in the city are:

# Employer # of Employees
1 Rockwall Independent School District 1,556
2 Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Rockwall 592
3 Wal-Mart Superstore 492
4 Rockwall County 299
5 Texas Star Express 275
6 City of Rockwall 262
7 Hilton Bella Harbor 250
8 Costco 250
9 Special Products and Manufacturing 205
10 Target Corporation 200

Government

Local government
The Rockwall County Courthouse in Rockwall

According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fund Financial Statements, the city's various funds had $39.0 million in Revenues, $42.2 million in expenditures, $32.3 million in total assets, $3.6 million in total liabilities, and $25.9 million in investments.[18]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[19]

Department Director
City Manager Rick Crowley
Assistant City Manager Mary Smith
Assistant City Manager Joey Boyd
Director of Administrative Services Vacant
Chief of Police Max Geron
Fire Chief Kenneth Cullins
Director of Planning Ryan Miller

The city of Rockwall is a voluntary member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments association, the purpose of which is to coordinate individual and collective local governments and facilitate regional solutions, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and enable joint decisions.

State government

Rockwall is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Bob Hall, District 2,[20] and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Justin Holland, District 33.[21]

Federal government

At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; Rockwall is part of Texas' US Congressional 4th District, which is currently represented by Republican John Ratcliffe.

Education

Public schools

The city is served by the Rockwall Independent School District. There are two public high schools in Rockwall: Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School. There are eleven elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools in Rockwall.

Higher education

The city is home to the Higher Education Center at Rockwall, which is part of the community college district, Collin College. The campus is the District's first campus outside of Collin County itself. Texas A&M University-Commerce holds classes at the Center. Texas A&M University-Commerce also has a campus located at the Rockwall Technology Park.

Transportation

Rockwall is served by the following highways that run through the city:

  • Interstate 30
  • U.S. Highway 67 (runs concurrent with Interstate 30)
  • State Highway 66
  • State Highway 205
  • State Highway 276
  • Farm to Market 549
  • Farm to Market 552
  • Farm to Market 740

Ralph M. Hall/Rockwall Municipal Airport is located two miles east of the city and is used mostly by small general aviation aircraft.

Sports

Rockwall offers many different sports complexes as well as activities. Airport Road boasts baseball fields, as well as the Landing Point complex containing the Texas International Fencing Center, zipline and dance facilities. The Rockwall Indoor Sports Expo is located on South 205. Lake Ray Hubbard has several boating marinas and is used for jet skiing.

Rockwall also offers 22 different Golf Courses within 17 miles of the center of Rockwall.

Notable people
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References
  1. "Rockwall". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
  2. "Towleroad News #gay – Page 527". Bulgebull.com. Retrieved September 2, 2019.
  3. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  4. "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  8. Monroe, J.N., 1950, Origin of the clastic dikes in the Rockwall area, Texas. Field and Laboratory. v. 18, no. 4, pp. 133-143.
  9. Ellwood, B.B., J. Payne, and G.J. Long, 1989, The Rockwall, Texas: A study of unusual natural magnetic effects in geoarcheological surveys produced by mineral oxidation. Geoarchaeology. v. 4, no. 2, pp. 103-118.
  10. Crook, W.W. III, M.D. Hughston and J.L. McCraw, 2009, The Brushy Creek Clovis Site (41HU74): An Early Paleoindian Occupation in Hunt County, Texas. The Record, Dallas Archeological Society 56(1):1-18.
  11. Crook, W. W., III, 2011, A Possible Association of Worked Flakes with Probosidian Bones near Lake Lavon, Collin County, Texas. Archeological Journal of the Texas Prairie-Savannah 1(1):4-8.
  12. Ferring, C.R., 2000, The Archeology and Paleoecology of the Aubrey Clovis Site (41DN79) Denton County, Texas. Center for Environmental Archeology, Department of Geography, University of North Texas, Denton.
  13. "Great Wall of Texas". America Unearthed. Season 2. Episode 3. December 14, 2013. A&E Television Networks. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
  14. Rockwall, Texas, 7.5 Minute Topographic Quadrangle, USGS, 1963 (1973 rev)
  15. Climate Summary for Rockwall, Texas
  16. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved May 30, 2019.
  17. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report" (PDF). September 30, 2014. p. 132. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  18. City of Rockwall 2009 CAFR Archived 2011-07-15 at the Wayback Machine retrieved 2010-11-17
  19. "Comprehensive Annual Financial Report" (PDF). September 30, 2012. p. 19. Retrieved June 3, 2013.
  20. "Senator Bob Hall: District 2". Archived from the original on March 12, 2015. Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  21. "Texas House Member". Retrieved April 24, 2015.
  22. Cliff Harris Football All-time Great & Author Retrieved 2018-04-16.
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