Quick Fact: As of 2026, Dallas, Texas, covers 385 square miles (997 square kilometers) with a population of 1.36 million residents within the city limits. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, which extends into surrounding counties, has grown to nearly 8.2 million people. The city sits at 32.7767° N, 96.7970° W.
What’s the geographic context of Dallas?
You’ll find it smack in the middle of one of the country’s biggest metro areas. Picture a sprawling urban network where highways crisscross like veins. That’s Dallas. Roughly 240 miles north of Houston and 270 miles south of Oklahoma City, it’s a major commercial crossroads. The Trinity River winds through the city, offering a green escape right in the middle of all that concrete.
What are the key details about Dallas?
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| City Area | 385 sq mi (997 sq km) |
| City Population (2026 est.) | 1.36 million |
| Metro Population (2026 est.) | 8.2 million |
| Counties in Metro | 12 counties including Dallas, Collin, Denton, Ellis, Kaufman, Rockwall |
| Elevation | 463 ft (141 m) above sea level |
| Climate Zone | Humid subtropical |
| Average January Temp | 44°F (7°C) |
| Average July Temp | 96°F (36°C) |
| Notable Landmarks | Reunion Tower, Perot Museum, AT&T Discovery District |
Any interesting background on Dallas?
Founded in 1841 by John Neely Bryan near a natural ford on the Trinity River, it started as a tiny trading post on the edge of Comanche territory. The city’s name? A nod to George M. Dallas, who happened to be Vice President under James K. Polk at the time. Then came the railroads in 1873—suddenly, Dallas wasn’t just a blip on the map anymore. It became a distribution powerhouse and grew into a full-blown metropolis. By the early 1900s, oil, banking, and tech had put Dallas on the map as “Big D.”
Dallas also holds a heavy place in American history. In 1963, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated during a motorcade through Dealey Plaza. That moment reshaped the city’s identity—and its global reputation—forever.
What should I know about Dallas’ day-to-day operations?
Dallas runs on Central Time (UTC-6) and springs forward for daylight saving from mid-March to early November. As of 2026, libraries, museums, and parks are back to their regular schedules. Government offices like City Hall? They mostly need appointments now. Hotels, restaurants, and big attractions have bounced back since pandemic restrictions lifted in 2020–21.
Getting around? DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) has you covered with light rail, buses, and even a free streetcar downtown. Flying in? Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) are both humming. DFW alone handles over 70 million passengers a year DFW Airport.
And if you’re hungry, Dallas won’t disappoint. Barbecue, Tex-Mex, and chili (the official Texas state dish since 1977 Texas State Library) are must-tries. The food scene’s also gotten a lot more global lately, with strong Vietnamese, Korean, and West African influences popping up everywhere.
