Euless

Euless (/ˈ j uː l ɪ s / YOO -liss) is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Dallas and Fort Worth. Euless is part of the Mid-Cities region between Dallas and Fort Worth. In 2020 Census, the population of Euless was 61,032.[5] The population of the city increased by 19.02% in 10 years. The city's population was 51,277 as of the 2010 census.[6]

The southwestern portion of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is inside the city limits of Euless.

Euless is named after Elisha Adam Euless, a native of Tennessee who moved to Texas in 1867 and later bought 170 acres (0.69 km2) of land on the current intersection of North Main St. and West Euless Boulevard. Euless started a cotton gin and a community center on his property and quickly became a prominent figure among other settlers. He was eventually elected county sheriff, both in 1892 and in 1894, after which Euless retired for health reasons. The community developed around the land Euless owned, and the locals decided to name the city in honor of him.[7]

In 2009 the US Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals sided against the City of Euless in Merced vs Kasson.[8] The City had tried to prohibit Mr. Merced (a Santeria priest) from practicing religious animal sacrifice in his home temple. The Court found that the city ordinances substantially burdened Mr. Merced's free exercise of religion and ordered that Mr. Merced could continue to practice his religious rituals. Also, the city was ordered to pay the plaintiff's court fees.[9]

Euless is located at 32°50′54″N 97°5′30″W  /  32.84833°N 97.09167°W  / 32.84833; -97.09167 (32.848253, –97.091782).[10]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.3 square miles (42.1 km2), all land.

According to the 2020 United States census, there were 61,032 people living in the city. There were 21,796 households with 2.55 people per household. 43.9% of the housing units were owned by the residents and the median value of the houses were estimated to be $200,500.[12] 56.1% population lived in rented dwellings with median gross rent estimated to be $1,1536 per month.[12] 6.1% of the population was under 5 years of age; similarly, 23% was under 18 years, 10.2% above 65% and 51% females.[12] There were 2,376 veterans residing in the city.[12]

In 2020, the racial distribution of the population was as follows: White 65.3%, White alone, not Hispanic or Latino 50.3%, Hispanic or Latino 21.3%, Black or African American alone 12.9%, Asian alone 11.6%, one or more races 4%, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islanders alone 1% and American Indian and Alaska Natives alone 0.5%.[12]

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 46,005 people, 19,218 households, and 11,626 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,828.3 people per square mile (1,091.7/km2). There were 20,136 housing units at an average density of 1,237.9 per square mile (477.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 75.52% White, 6.49% African American, 0.64% Native American, 7.15% Asian, 1.86% Pacific Islander, 5.38% from other races, and 2.96% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.31% of the population.

There were 19,218 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.05. 1.26% of Euless households are same sex couples, giving Euless the ninth highest percentage of same sex couples among cities in Texas with over 50 same sex couples.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.0% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 39.7% from 25 to 44, 19.7% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $49,582, and the median income for a family was $54,697. Males had a median income of $39,169 versus $32,370 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,764. About 5.7% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.5% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.

Euless is notable for having one of the largest concentrations of Tongans outside of Tonga, with a community of 3,000–4,000 people.[13][14][15]

The first Tongans to settle in Euless were either Siupeli Netane, an American Airlines employee, and his wife Halatono[16] or the brothers Sione and Tevita Havea, students at the University of Texas at Arlington,[17] depending on sources.

In some neighborhoods in Euless, the Nepalese community is quite culturally prevalent. Many people of Nepali origin have come as refugees from Bhutan. Due to a high concentration of Nepalese residents in the adjacent city of Irving,[18] many important Nepalese cultural and national holidays are celebrated throughout Euless.

Euless is located within the Mid-Cities region between Dallas and Fort Worth. Other cities within 10 miles (16 km) of Euless include Bedford to the west, Grapevine to the north, and Irving to the east.[19]

According to the city's 2007–2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $82.7 million in revenues, $73.7 million in expenditures, $239.5 million in total assets, $76.8 million in total liabilities, and $54.7 million in cash and investments.[20]

The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[20]

The Euless City Council as of Jan 2022 consisted of:[21]

The city of Euless 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.

Arbor Daze is a celebration of trees. It is usually held in the municipal complex on the last weekend of April from Saturday to Sunday. During Arbor Daze there is a business tent, an art tent and two concert stages, as well as a kids' tent called Kidz Zone. Parking is available anywhere in the municipal complex or at the nearby church, First Baptist Euless.[22]

The Arbor Daze festival has received over 47 awards and recognitions for excellent programs and publications, making it one of the most decorated festivals in Texas.[23]

Euless has eight elementary schools, two junior high schools, and one high school. Most of Euless is served by the Hurst-Euless-Bedford Independent School District, some parts of the city belong to Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District,[24] Most GCISD residents are zoned to Bear Creek Elementary, with some to Grapevine Elementary School and Heritage Elementary School.[25] Most GCISD grapevine students are zoned to Heritage Middle School, with some zoned to Colleyville Middle School.[26] All are zoned to Colleyville Heritage High School.[27]

There are two charter schools in the city: Harmony Science Academy (run by Harmony Public Schools) and Treetops School International.

The football team of Euless's Trinity High School has achieved national notoriety for its pre-game and post-game ritual dance, the New Zealand Māori Ka Mate haka, started by several players of Tongan descent.[28] The team won 5A Division 1 state football championships in 2005, 2007, and 2009 and was featured in an EA Sports commercial in 2010.[29][30]

According to the city's 2008 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[20] the top employers in the city are:

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Euless has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[35]