View source for Dallas, North Carolina

{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Dallas, North Carolina
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nickname           = 
| named_for          = [[George M. Dallas]]<ref name=gazetteer>{{cite web |url=https://ncpedia.org/gazetteer/search/dallas/0 |title=North Carolina Gazetteer |accessdate=December 19, 2022 |archive-date=December 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221219151651/https://ncpedia.org/gazetteer/search/dallas/0 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = 
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = 
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map          = NCMap-doton-Dallas.PNG
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Dallas, North Carolina
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in North Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_name1  = [[North Carolina]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Gaston County, North Carolina|Gaston]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Hayley Beaty
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1846<ref name=gazetteer/>
| established_title1 = Incorporated
| established_date1  = 1863<ref name=gazetteer/>

<!-- Area -->| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 20, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 7.93
| area_land_km2      = 7.93
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_sq_mi   = 3.06
| area_land_sq_mi    = 3.06
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 5927
| population_density_km2 = 747.39
| population_density_sq_mi = 1935.66

<!-- General information -->| timezone           = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = EDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 787
| coordinates        = {{coord|35|19|02|N|81|11|00|W|region:US-NC|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 28034
| area_codes          = [[Area codes 704 and 980|704, 980]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 37-16180<ref name="GR2" />
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2406350<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2406350}}</ref>
| website            = {{URL|www.dallasnc.net}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| population_est     = 
}}
'''Dallas''' is a  town in [[Gaston County, North Carolina]], United States, and a suburb of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], located north of [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Dallas had a population of 5,927.<ref name="Census2020PLLede">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N&for=place%3A16180&in=state%3A37|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=February 20, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref> It was named for [[George M. Dallas]], [[Vice President of the United States]] under [[James K. Polk]].
==Geography==
Dallas is located approximately four miles north of the city of  [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]] and about {{convert|24|mi}} west of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]]. [[Lincolnton, North Carolina|Lincolnton]] is {{convert|13|mi}} north and [[Hickory, North Carolina|Hickory]] is {{convert|34|mi}} north of Dallas along [[US 321]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the town has a total area of {{convert|7.5|km2|disp=flip}}, all of it land.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3716180| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212190548/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US3716180| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Dallas town, North Carolina| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>

Dallas lies within the Long Creek watershed. Long Creek is a right tributary of the [[South Fork Catawba River]]. Dallas is drained by Long Creek tributaries Dallas Branch and Little Long Creek.<ref>[http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/NaturalResources/watersheds/WatershedMap.pdf Gaston County Watershed Map] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080911234646/http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/NaturalResources/watersheds/WatershedMap.pdf |date=September 11, 2008 }}</ref>

==History==
Dallas was officially incorporated in 1863 and is the oldest incorporated town in Gaston County. It served as the original [[county seat]] for Gaston County from 1846 until 1911. The old Gaston County courthouse, renovated in 1868 after a fire, still stands in the main square of the town and formerly served as the headquarters of the [[Dallas Police Department (North Carolina)|Dallas Police Department]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gastongov.com/departments/planning/connect-city |title=Gaston County official government website. Retrieved on 2011-10-25. |access-date=October 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331212638/http://www.gastongov.com/departments/planning/connect-city |archive-date=March 31, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.dallasnc.net/index.aspx?NID=66 |title=Dallas Police Department official web page. Retrieved on 2011-10-25. |access-date=October 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404224630/http://www.dallasnc.net/index.aspx?NID=66 |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The town government has renovated the courthouse.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gastongazette.com/news/courthouse-61475-dallas-aside.html |title="Historic courthouse to find new uses," Gaston Gazette, October 4, 2011. Retrieved on 2011-10-25. |access-date=October 25, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111107090939/http://www.gastongazette.com/news/courthouse-61475-dallas-aside.html |archive-date=November 7, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Dallas began to decline in importance when the town commissioners refused to appropriate money for construction of bridges over several creeks for the [[Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway]] in the 1872.<ref>[http://www.dallasnc.net/index.asp?NID=121 Brief History], Town of Dallas official government website. Retrieved on July 10, 2008.</ref> The commissioners said the reason was because residents thought that trains would wake them during the night and frighten their livestock.<ref>Link, William A. ''William Friday: Power, Purpose, and American Higher Education.'' Chapel Hill, N.C. University of North Carolina Press, 1995. {{ISBN|978-0-8078-2167-1}}</ref> In 1890, [[Whitecapping|White Caps]] attacked the town "'Kuklux' style", destroying entire portions of the town.<ref>{{cite news |title=Raided by white caps|url=https://www.loc.gov/resource/sn84024546/1890-09-06/ed-1/?sp=1.pdf&r=0.245%2C-0.017%2C0.51%2C0.309%2C0 |work=Pittsburg dispatch |date=September 6, 1890 |location=Pittsburg | via=The library of Congress | page=1}}</ref> After this the county seat was relocated to Gastonia in 1911.

The [[Dallas Graded and High School]], [[Dallas Historic District]], [[Hoyle Historic Homestead|Hoyle House]], and [[Eli Hoyle House]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 299
| 1880 = 417
| 1890 = 441
| 1900 = 514
| 1910 = 1065
| 1920 = 1397
| 1930 = 1489
| 1940 = 1704
| 1950 = 2454
| 1960 = 3270
| 1970 = 4059
| 1980 = 3340
| 1990 = 3012
| 2000 = 3402
| 2010 = 4488
| 2020 = 5927
| estyear = 2025
| estimate = 6392
| estref = <ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2025/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2025-POP-37.xlsxOrigin= |title=2025 City and town population estimates: North Carolina|website=U.S. Census Bureau |date=May 14, 2026 |access-date=May 22, 2025}}</ref> {{increase}}
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
| align = right
| align-fn = center
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:right"
|+Dallas racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US3716180&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 20, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!scope="col"| Race
!scope="col"| Number
!scope="col"| Percentage
|-
!scope="row"| [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
| 3,475
| 58.63%
|-
!scope="row"| [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
| 1,277
| 21.55%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
| 24
| 0.4%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
| 51
| 0.86%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
| 3
| 0.05%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
| 297
| 5.01%
|-
!scope="row"| [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
| 800
| 13.5%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], Dallas had a population of 5,927. The median age was 35.2 years. 26.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.8 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=place%3A16180&in=state%3A37|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=place%3A16180&in=state%3A37|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

99.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 0.3% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=place%3A16180&in=state%3A37|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=April 28, 2026|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 2,328 households in Dallas, of which 38.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 38.3% were married-couple households, 19.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 36.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 2,522 housing units, of which 7.7% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.9%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=January 31, 2008 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> of 2010, there were 4,488 people, 1,792 households, and 1,195 families residing in the town. The population density was {{convert|1,543|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,003 housing units at an average density of {{convert|690.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 76.4% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 15.9% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.4% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.6% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 4.9% [[Race (United States Census)|some other race]], and 1.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 8.0% of the population.<ref name="Census 2010 DP">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3716180| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212154028/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/1600000US3716180| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 12, 2020| title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Dallas town, North Carolina| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>

There were 1,792 households, out of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.7% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 19.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.3% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.5 and the average family size was 3.04.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>

In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 12.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.9 years. The male population was 47.7% and the female population was 52.3%.<ref name="Census 2010 DP"/>

===Income and poverty===
For the period 2007–11, the estimated median annual income for a household in the town was $35,625, and the median income for a family was $48,239. Male full-time workers had a median income of $32,203 versus $27,154 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $18,570. About 11.1% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.8% of those under age 18 and 6.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/1600000US3716180| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200210230133/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/11_5YR/DP03/1600000US3716180| url-status=dead| archive-date=February 10, 2020| title=Selected Economic Characteristics: 2007-2011 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (DP03): Dallas town, North Carolina| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=March 27, 2013}}</ref>
==Education==
Dallas is the site of the main campus of [[Gaston College]], a [[community college]] offering associate degree, Certificate, and Diploma programs. It is located on [[U.S. Highway 321]] west of the city's business district.

Dallas is home to Costner Elementary, Carr Elementary, W.C. Friday Middle School, and [[North Gaston High School]]. There is a private Christian school, Community Christian Academy.

The Dallas Branch of the Gaston County Public Library serves this community.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://gastonlibrary.org/index.cfm/about-us/locations-and-hours/dallas-branch/ |title=Dallas Branch |access-date=January 24, 2014 |archive-date=February 1, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201150625/http://gastonlibrary.org/index.cfm/about-us/locations-and-hours/dallas-branch/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Places of interest==
* The [[Hoyle Historic Homestead]] is an example of German-American architecture from the mid-late 18th century and is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].
* The Dallas Historic District, bounded by Holland, Main, Gaston and Trade streets, is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The district consists of eight buildings, including the former Gaston County Courthouse (built in 1848), former Gaston County Jail (1848), the Smyre-Pasour House (1850), Rhyne Store (1850), and the Hoffman Hotel (1852). The Hoffman Hotel is now home to the Gaston County Museum.<ref>[http://www.nationalregisterofhistoricplaces.com/nc/Gaston/districts.html National Register of Historic Places - Gaston County]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/HistoricPreservation/LocalDesignation.htm |title=Designated Gaston County Historic Properties |access-date=July 10, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081225165039/http://www.co.gaston.nc.us/HistoricPreservation/LocalDesignation.htm |archive-date=December 25, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* Biggerstaff Park in Dallas is the venue of the "Shelby Hamfest", a gathering of amateur radio operators. This is one of the oldest and largest such festivals in the country.

==Media==

===Television===
Dallas is in the [[Charlotte metropolitan area|Charlotte-Gastonia]] [[media market|viewing area]]. This is the list of the [[Television]] stations available in Dallas:
{{Charlotte TV}}

===Radio===
This is the list of the [[radio]] stations available in Dallas:
{{Charlotte AM}}

==Notable people==
* [[Jake Buchanan]], former [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] pitcher<ref>[https://sportsforecaster.com/mlb/p/79821 Jake Buchanan Stats, Profile, Bio, Analysis and More]. ''Sports Forecaster''. Retrieved December 28, 2025.</ref>
* [[Alfred L. Bulwinkle]], 14-term [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[United States House of Representatives]]
* [[Pearl Burris-Floyd]], member of the [[North Carolina House of Representatives]]<ref>(July 1, 2024). [https://www.northcarolina.edu/news/unc-board-of-governors-features-all-female-leadership/ UNC Board of Governors features all-female leadership]. ''UNC System''. Retrieved December 28, 2025.</ref>
* [[Caleb Costner]], professional [[stock car racing]] driver<ref>[https://www.arcaracing.com/drivers/caleb-costner/ Caleb Costner - ARCA Racing]. ''arcaracing.com''. Retrieved December 28, 2025.</ref>
* [[William C. Friday]], president of the [[University of North Carolina]] system from 1956 to 1986
* [[David W. Hoyle]], former mayor of Dallas and nine-term [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] member of the [[North Carolina State Senate]]
* [[Duane Ross]], [[track and field]] coach, and former athlete, specializing in the [[110 meters hurdles]]. Won bronze medal at [[1999 World Championships in Athletics|1999 World Championships]] and represented the United States at [[2004 Summer Olympics]].<ref>[https://utsports.com/sports/track-and-field/roster/coaches/duane-ross/5727 Duane Ross - Track & Field Coach]. ''University of Tennessee Athletics''. Retrieved December 28, 2025.</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Dallas, North Carolina}}
* {{official website|http://www.dallasnc.net}}
* [http://www.gastonchamber.com Gaston Regional Chamber] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108215552/http://www.gastonchamber.com/ |date=January 8, 2015 }}

{{Gaston County, North Carolina}}

[[Category:Towns in Gaston County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Towns in North Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1846]]
[[Category:1846 establishments in North Carolina]]
[[Category:George M. Dallas]]