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Balch Springs, Texas

Coordinates: 32°43′3″N 96°36′55″W / 32.71750°N 96.61528°W / 32.71750; -96.61528
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Balch Springs
City
City of Balch Springs
Location of Balch Springs in Dallas County, Texas
Location of Balch Springs in Dallas County, Texas
Balch Springs is located in Texas
Balch Springs
Balch Springs
Location in Texas
Balch Springs is located in the United States
Balch Springs
Balch Springs
Balch Springs (the United States)
Balch Springs is located in North America
Balch Springs
Balch Springs
Balch Springs (North America)
Coordinates: 32°43′3″N 96°36′55″W / 32.71750°N 96.61528°W / 32.71750; -96.61528
CountryUnited StatesUnited States
StateTexasTexas
CountyDallas
IncorporatedJune 13, 1953
Government
 • TypeCouncil-Manager
 • City CouncilMayor Steven Gorwood
Mayor Pro Tem Dawn Seagroves
Sammy Moon
Helen Shelby
Charlene Rushing
Steve Tucker
Tartisha Hill
 • City ManagerSusan Cluse
 • Police ChiefJonathan Haber
 • Fire ChiefRandy Smith
Area
[1]
 • Total
9.04 sq mi (23.42 km2)
 • Land9.02 sq mi (23.37 km2)
 • Water0.02 sq mi (0.05 km2)  0.27%
Elevation
499 ft (152 m)
Population
 (2010)[2]
 • Total
23,728
 • Estimate 
(2019)[3]
25,007
 • Density2,771.17/sq mi (1,069.90/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75180
Area codes214, 469, 945, 972
FIPS code48-05372[4]
GNIS feature ID1329964[5]
Websitecityofbalchsprings.com

Balch Springs (/bɑːlk/ BAHLK, /bɑːltʃ/ BAHLTCH) is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. It is an inner-ring suburb of Dallas and part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The population was 23,728 at the 2010 census,[6] and 25,007 at 2019's census estimates.[7]

History

The area was first settled in the 1840s. Around 1879 John M. Balch and his family settled south of Mesquite in unincorporated Dallas County. Mr. Balch found several springs on his land, one of which ran year-round. Local residents began referring to the springs on Mr. Balch's property as Balch Springs, and use of the name continued even after he moved away a few years after his arrival. Around 1885, a county school was named after the springs. A small church and a cemetery were near the school.[citation needed] During the early 1900s, the community was widely dispersed and consisted mostly of farms. Electricity, provided by Texas Power and Light, was introduced in 1939. Gas and telephone service arrived shortly after World War II.[8]

The community began to grow rapidly along with the city of Dallas and other Dallas County towns. To avoid annexation by Dallas, Balch Springs incorporated as a city on June 13, 1953.[8] The new city encompassed the communities of Balch Springs, Zipp City, Five Points, Jonesville, and Triangle as well as portions of Rylie and Kleberg.[9] A mayor-council form of government was adopted after incorporation. By 1956, Balch Springs had a population of around 3,500. The city was home to 6,821 residents at the 1960 census. In September 1964, a post office opened in the city and in 1965, the first taxes were levied. A 1966 attempt to disincorporate the community was unsuccessful. By 1970, the population had risen to 10,464 as the construction of new roads made commuting to surrounding cities easier. In 1988, residents voted to become part of the neighboring city of Mesquite, but the election was declared invalid.[8] Two years later, the 1990 census reported a total of 17,406 people living in the city. The 2000 population was 19,375.

The murder of Jordan Edwards occurred in Balch Springs in 2017.[10]

Geography

Balch Springs is located at 32°43′3″N 96°36′55″W / 32.71750°N 96.61528°W / 32.71750; -96.61528 (32.717381, -96.615154).[11] It is situated approximately 16 miles (26 km) east of Downtown Dallas and 34 miles (55 km) southeast of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. The city is bordered by Mesquite to the north and east, and Dallas to the south and west.

Major highways running through Balch Springs include Interstate 635, which bisects the city into two nearly equal halves. Interstate 20 and U.S. Highway 175 run along Balch Springs' southern border.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.0 square miles (23.3 km2), of which 9.0 square miles (23.2 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.06 km2), or 0.27%, is water.[12]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
19606,821—
197010,46453.4%
198013,74631.4%
199017,40626.6%
200019,37511.3%
201023,72822.5%
2019 (est.)25,007[3]5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[13]

As of the 2010 census Balch Springs had a population of 23,728. The median age was 29. The racial and ethnic makeup of the population was 27.7% non-Hispanic white, 23.7% non-Hispanic black, 1.4% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% non-Hispanic reporting some other race, 3.3% reporting two or more races and 45.8% Hispanic or Latino of any race.[14]

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 19,375 people, 6,175 households, and 4,828 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,404.7 people per square mile (928.1/km2). There were 6,504 housing units at an average density of 807.2 per square mile (311.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 62.90% White, 18.52% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 14.05% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 25.72% of the population.

There were 6,175 households, out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.49.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,087, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $29,256 versus $26,611 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,476. About 10.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

The southwest portion of Balch Springs is served by Dallas Independent School District, while the northeast portion is served by Mesquite Independent School District. The two portions are roughly each one half of the city.[15][16]

Mesquite Independent School District

Mesquite ISD students are zoned to one of the following elementary schools:[16]

  • Floyd Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
  • Gray Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
  • Gentry Elementary School (PreK-5, Mesquite)
  • Hodges Elementary School (PreK-6, Balch Springs)
  • Mackey Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
  • McWhorter Elementary School (PreK-5, Mesquite)
  • Moss Elementary School (K-6, Mesquite)

Most Mesquite ISD students are zoned to A.C. New Middle School (grades 6–8, Balch Springs) and West Mesquite High School (9-12). Some MISD students (in the portion zoned to McWhorter) are zoned to Wilkinson Middle School (6-8) and WMHS. A small portion (the portions zoned to Moss and Gentry) of Balch Springs is zoned to Agnew Middle School (7-8) and Mesquite High School.[16]

Dallas Independent School District

W. W. Samuell High School serves a portion of the DISD section of Balch Springs.

Dallas ISD students are zoned to:

  • Gilbert Cuellar Sr. Elementary School (PK-5)[17]
  • Richard Lagow Elementary School (PK-5)[18]
  • John W. Runyon Elementary School (PreK-5)[19]
  • Kleberg Elementary School (PreK-5)[20]

Young Women's STEAM Academy at Balch Springs Middle School is in the city limits.[21][22] The school, which opened in 2012,[23] previously was a coeducational middle school serving most of the DISD portion, while other portions were zoned to Fred F. Florence Middle School.[24] In the fall of 2016 Balch Springs was converted into a girls-only middle school; boys in its zone were zoned to Florence, now an all-boys school. Students from the former Balch Springs MS zone who wish to attend a coeducational middle school would go to E. B. Comstock Middle School, while those from the former Florence zone would go to Piedmont G.L.O.B.A.L. Academy (formerly John B. Hood Middle School) in Pleasant Grove.[25][26] In addition Seagoville Middle School serves both genders in a portion of Balch Springs.[27]

Prior to the opening of Balch Springs MS, Comstock and Florence served portions of the city.[28][29]

H. Grady Spruce High School,[30] W. W. Samuell High School,[31] and Seagoville High School serve portions of the DISD area of Balch Springs.[32]

As of 2006 some Balch Springs residents wished for the DISD portion to be rezoned into MISD.[33]

Private schools

Balch Springs Christian Academy is a private school within the city limits that serves students from kindergarten to 12th grade, and uses the A Beka curriculum. Balch Springs Christian Academy is a subsidiary of Seagoville Road Baptist Church, which was established in 1974.[34] Ten members of the school and church died in a flood in central Texas in 1987.[35]

Colleges and universities

Dallas County residents are zoned to Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College or DCCCD).[36]

Public safety

Balch Springs Fire Department serves the city with one fire station. This station runs one ladder truck, two engines, one fire chief and three battalion chiefs. The department has a minimum manning of eight fire fighters on shift 24/7. All firefighters are certified as EMTs or paramedics. Balch Springs has 30 professional firefighters, one chief, and an inspector. The Balch Springs Fire Department is a civil service department. The department responds and manages all fire and EMS.[citation needed]

The city maintains a police department.[37]

Library

The Balch Springs Library-Learning Center is located at 12450 Elam Road in Balch Springs.[38] The library, which has over 26,000 items, including over 25,000 books and over 1,000 audio and visual items, opened in April 2006.[39]

Healthcare

Dallas ISD and Parkland Balch Springs Youth & Family Health Center is on a site next to the Balch Springs Middle School building,[40] on the school property.[41][42] It serves disadvantaged children who do not have primary care physicians.[40] Previously the center was known as the Spruce Youth and Family Health Center and was housed on the grounds of H. Grady Spruce High School in Dallas. On June 3, 2013, it moved to its current location.[41]

References

  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ "State and County Quick Facts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 3, 2012. Retrieved March 4, 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ^ "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Balch Springs city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  7. ^ "ACS 2018 Housing and Demographic Estimates". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2020-02-03.
  8. ^ a b c d "Balch Springs, Texas". The Handbook of Texas online. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
  9. ^ "Balch Springs: The Early Days" (PDF). Balch Springs Chamber of Commerce. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2007-09-02. Retrieved 2009-09-22.
  10. ^ Hoyt, Joseph (2019-11-07). "Jordan Edwards was murdered 31 months ago. The Mesquite football team can finally honor their fallen brother on their own terms". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2019-11-08.
  11. ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
  12. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Balch Springs city, Texas". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 11, 2012.
  13. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  14. ^ 2010 general profile of population and housing characteristics of Balch Springs from the US census
  15. ^ "Updated Street Map Archived 2016-06-02 at the Wayback Machine." City of Balch Springs. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  16. ^ a b c "ATTENDANCE ZONES 2015/2016." Mesquite Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  17. ^ "2015-16 Gilbert Cuellar Sr. Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  18. ^ "2015-16 Richard Lagow Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  19. ^ "John W. Runyon Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  20. ^ "Kleberg Elementary Attendance Zone Grades PK-5." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 8, 2016.
  21. ^ "Home". Young Women's STEAM Academy at Balch Springs Middle School. Retrieved 2019-10-21. 710 Cheyenne Road, Dallas, TX 75217
  22. ^ "Zoning Map" (PDF). City of Balch Springs. Retrieved 2019-10-21. - linked from the GIS map index
  23. ^ "New Schools-2008 Bond Program Archived 2010-05-09 at the Wayback Machine." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.
  24. ^ "2015-16 Balch Springs Middle Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  25. ^ "BalchSpringsFlorenceMS.pdf." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  26. ^ Porter, Lawana. "Piedmont G.L.O.B.A.L. Academy celebrates a new name and academic focus (video)." Dallas Independent School District. October 12, 2016. Retrieved on October 16, 2016.
  27. ^ "2015-16 Seagoville Middle Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 8, 2016.
  28. ^ "Fall 2011 Fred F. Florence Middle Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  29. ^ "Fall 2011 E.B. Comstock Middle Attendance Zone Grades 6-8." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  30. ^ "2015-166 H. Grady Spruce High School Attendance Zone Grades 9-12." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  31. ^ "2015-16 W. W. Samuell High School Attendance Zone Grades 9-12." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  32. ^ "2015-16 Seagoville High School Attendance Zone Grades 9-12." Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved on June 3, 2016.
  33. ^ Smith, Andrew D. "Secession from DISD is sought." The Dallas Morning News. Wednesday December 6, 2006. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.
  34. ^ http://srbc-bsca.com/
  35. ^ BEARAK, BARRY (18 July 1987). "10 Are Feared Dead at Texas River : 2 Youths Killed, 8 Reported Missing as Bus, Van Are Swept Into Water". Retrieved 22 July 2017 – via LA Times.
  36. ^ Texas Education Code, Sec. 130.176. DALLAS COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT SERVICE AREA.
  37. ^ "Balch Springs Police Department". Balch Springs Police Department. Retrieved 3 May 2017.
  38. ^ "Public Library Archived 2010-09-19 at the Wayback Machine." City of Balch Springs. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.
  39. ^ "Who We Are." Balch Springs Public Library. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.
  40. ^ a b Jacobson, Sherry (2013-05-02). "Balch Springs to get new Parkland youth and family health center". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  41. ^ a b Cummings, Tommy (2013-05-28). "Health center will move to Balch Springs Middle School campus". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 2019-10-21.
  42. ^ The school and the center have the same address: "Balch Springs Youth & Family Center". Dallas Independent School District. Retrieved 2019-10-21. Balch Springs Youth & Family Center is located at Young Women's STEAM Academy @ Balch Springs[...]710 Cheyenne Road Dallas, TX 75217 // Instances of "701 Cheyenne" seem to be errors.
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