Population2,661,397 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
City Neighborhoods Meet Trails and Open Space
Dallas County, TexasDallas County combines a major urban center with a network of surrounding cities and protected natural spaces. Dallas is both the county seat and its largest city, but the county experience extends beyond downtown. The county’s open-space preserves offer opportunities to step away from busy streets and explore local landscapes. Start with a neighborhood, city or preserve, then connect nearby stops into an itinerary that suits the time you have available.
Dallas County at a Glance
Population2,661,397 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatDallas
Largest CityDallas
EstablishedMarch 30, 1846
ZIP Codes165
Total Area908.644 sq mi (2,353.38 km 2 )
Major RoutesI-20 I-30 I-35E I-45 I-45 BL (Ferris) I-345 I-635 US 67 US 75 US 77 US 80 US 175 SH 66 SH 78 SH 114 SH 121 SH 161 SH 180 SH 183 SH 190 SH 289 SH 310 SH 342 SH 352 SH 356 Loop 9 (under construction) Loop 12 Spur 244 Spur 303 Spur 348 Spur 366 Spur 408 Spur 482
Area Code214 / 469 / 682 / 817 / 945 / 972
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
Discover the County
Dallas County
Dallas County was established on March 30, 1846, shortly after Texas became a state. Dallas became its county seat and grew into the largest city within its boundaries. Over time, municipal expansion connected communities across the county and into neighboring counties, creating the continuous urban landscape familiar to many visitors today. That growth makes it useful to distinguish the county government from individual cities, even where the built environment gives little indication that a municipal boundary has been crossed.
The county’s open-space system provides a useful starting point for outdoor plans within an urban region. Cedar Ridge Preserve is one option, with visitor information supplied through the county and the City of Dallas. Select a specific preserve and review its trail information before traveling. Elsewhere, build a day around nearby destinations within one part of the county, leaving time for the journeys between cities and neighborhoods rather than judging distances from a regional map alone.
What Shapes Us
Beyond Downtown
Dallas is the county seat, but many other cities share the county. Use the relevant municipal source when looking for neighborhood parks, programs or services.
Protected Open Space
The county’s preserve system offers outdoor destinations across the region. Its official directory helps visitors identify specific sites and find the information needed to plan.
Cedar Ridge
Cedar Ridge Preserve provides an outdoor destination within the metropolitan landscape. Consult its official visitor information for trail access and any conditions affecting a visit.
Distinct neighborhoods and natural spaces connect a busy region.
My Local Guide
Dallas County
Our County. Our Stories.
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The Texas Tribune — Statewide
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
Read the Story Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
News & resources for Dallas County
Local reporting when available, plus statewide Texas news and official resources.
TribCast: Are Texas’ voter systems ready for a contentious election?
Votebeat's Natalia Contreras joins TribCast to explain the state of Texas’ voter rolls one month before election day.
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Democrat Jon Rosenthal outraises Bo French in Railroad Commission race in latest report
A big chunk of Rosenthal’s haul came after French’s racist social media comments following a UT-Austin football game…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Greg Abbott outraised Gina Hinojosa but burned through much of his campaign cash in Texas governor’s race
Abbott outspent Hinojosa 6-to-1 from July to late September, but the governor’s narrow polling lead was largely unchanged…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Law enforcement Democrat, GOP Air Force vet upend partisan script in race for new San Antonio U.S. House district
The 35th Congressional District was redrawn to elect a Republican, but Latino voters’ brewing leftward shift has put…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
These are the most competitive November races up and down Texas’ midterm ballot
Texas has an unusually large slate of competitive races for the state Legislature and U.S. House this year.…
The Texas Tribune — Statewide • Oct 6, 2026 • 2 min read
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Useful connections for everyday life
Find public information and services through the county and relevant service providers.
Government
County & local resources
Commissioner District 1
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Commissioner District 2
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Commissioner District 3
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Commissioner District 4
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Who is My Commissioner?
Commissioners court information, meetings and county business.
Food, housing & family support
North Texas Food Bank — food assistance
Regional food-bank network serving Dallas County. Find a nearby pantry or distribution and confirm its schedule before visiting.
North Texas Food Bank — food assistance — details and contacts
2-1-1 Texas — local assistance
Search community assistance by location and type of need, including food, housing and family support.
Texas HHS — local family support
Search family-support programs and local services for parents and caregivers.
Schools
County & local resources
Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Cedar Hill ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Duncanville ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Grand Prairie ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Highland Park ISD
School and district information, contacts and educational resources.
Child care & learning
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships
Review child-care scholarship information and the application process for families who need care while working or attending education or training.
Texas Child Care Connection — scholarships — details and contacts
Dallas County — AgriLife Extension
Find county Extension contacts, local educational programs and 4-H information.
Hospitals
County & local resources
Advanced Dallas Hospitals And Clinics — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott & White Heart & Vascular Hospital – Dallas — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott & White Medical Center At Irving — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Lake Pointe — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Sunnyvale — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Scott And White Medical Center Uptown — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor Surgical Hospital At Las Colinas — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Baylor University Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Crescent Medical Center Lancaster — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Dallas Medical Center — Acute Care Hospitals
Health services and information about finding local assistance.
Health, aging & caregiver support
Texas WIC — office locator
Find a nearby WIC office and contact it about appointments, nutrition support and eligibility.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers
Find the regional center that helps older adults, people with disabilities and caregivers explore services and support.
Aging and Disability Resource Centers — details and contacts
Local mental and behavioral health authorities
Use the Texas HHS directory to find the authority serving your county and its contact information.
Local mental and behavioral health authorities — details and contacts
Public Safety
County & local resources
Sheriff
Sheriff’s office information, public safety resources and non-emergency contacts.
Emergency Services
For an immediate emergency, call 911. These links provide emergency planning, coordination and recovery information.
County & local resources
Texas Division of Emergency Management — Region 2 serving Dallas County
Emergency preparedness, local alerts and response information.
Prepare before an emergency
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials
Download emergency plans, supply checklists and preparedness materials in English and Spanish.
Texas Ready — emergency planning materials — details and contacts
State Parks
County & local resources
Cedar Hill State Park
Park locations, visitor information and current access details.
Trails
Texas resources
Cedar Hill State Park — Trail Information
Outdoor recreation, routes and visitor planning information.
Utilities
Water utilities listed for the county. Confirm the provider for your specific address; service territories vary within county lines.
County & local resources
CITY OF BALCH SPRINGS
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
CITY OF COCKRELL HILL
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
CITY OF FARMERS BRANCH
Utility services, consumer information and provider contacts.
Help with household costs
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance
Find local providers for utility bills, housing, weatherization and accessibility repairs. Providers handle applications; availability and eligibility vary.
Help for Texans — housing and utility assistance — details and contacts
Libraries
County & local resources
Balch Springs Library-Learning Center
Library locations, collections and public services.
Cozby Library and Community Commons
Library locations, collections and public services.
Farmers Branch Manske Public Library
Library locations, collections and public services.
Accessible reading & library services
Texas Talking Book Program
Learn about accessible library services for qualifying Texans with visual, physical or reading disabilities.
Courts
Use the named county court links or search the official Texas courts directory by county and court name. Confirm the hearing or filing location directly; a regional court may serve more than one county.
County & local resources
Dallas County — County Court (County Constitutional Court)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 101st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 116th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 134th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 14th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 160th District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 162nd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 191st District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 192nd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Dallas County — 193rd District Court (District)
Court information, office contacts and public records resources.
Find legal assistance
TexasLawHelp — legal help directory
Search legal-aid organizations by counties covered and area of legal help. Each organization determines service availability and eligibility.
DMV
For local vehicle titles and registration, start with the county tax office. Texas DPS handles driver licenses.
County & local resources
Dallas County Tax Office
Tax office information, payments and available services.
Texas resources
Buying or selling a vehicle
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Apply for a Texas driver license
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Driver license appointments
Vehicle registration, licensing and office information.
Transportation
These agencies or county departments serve local transportation needs. Check routes, service boundaries, eligibility and advance booking with the provider.
County & local resources
Grand Prairie -The Grand Connection
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Dallas -Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART)
Transportation services, routes and travel information.
Postal Services
Local postal facilities listed in USPS property records. Confirm retail hours, available services and temporary closures with USPS before visiting.
County & local resources
Carrollton Post Office — Rosemeade Station
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
National resources
USPS — confirm local hours and services
Postal locations, mailing services and address information.
Veterans
County & local resources
Dallas County veterans service contact — (972) 692-4939
Veterans services, benefits information and support resources.
Employment
County & local resources
Career Opportunities
Employment opportunities, job-search assistance and workforce services.
Job search & employment support
Workforce Solutions — find an office
Find nearby workforce offices for job-search, training and employer services.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup
Find a vocational rehabilitation office to discuss employment services for people with disabilities.
Vocational rehabilitation — office lookup — details and contacts
A little local knowledge goes a long way
Find practical information before you visit or make a move.
Helpful Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the essentials, then follow the source links for more detail.
Dallas is the county seat of Dallas County, Texas.
The county overview lists Dallas as its largest community.
The total area is 908.644 sq mi (2,353.38 km 2 ), including land and water.
Use the Dallas County government website for county offices and public information.
The county’s open-space directory lists preserves and links to individual destinations. Start with the official preserve directory.
Use the county’s Cedar Ridge page to plan a visit and follow the linked management information for current trail conditions. Read the Cedar Ridge Preserve overview.
For office information, start with Dallas County — Tax Office. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
The county links residents to Dallas County — County Clerk. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
For departmental information, use Dallas County — Sheriff. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Use the official Dallas County — Commissioners Court. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Office information is available through Dallas County — County Judge. Check that page for current office details before a visit.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make time for a local discoveryPlan your day around places and experiences in the county.
Kids’ Fun
- Perot Museum of Nature and Science — Explore science exhibits and the Moody Family Children’s Museum. General admission is ticketed; check current hours and parking arrangements.
- Dallas Zoo — Plan a family zoo outing with animal exhibits. Check the zoo’s current ticket availability and daily schedule.
- Klyde Warren Park Children’s Park — A downtown play stop with equipment intended for children age 12 and younger. Children must be supervised; consult posted play and water-feature rules.
Restaurants
- Pecan Lodge — A Deep Ellum barbecue stop on Main Street; consult the restaurant for current menus and hours.
- Oddfellows — American dishes, seasonal menu options and specialty coffee in the Bishop Arts District.
- Lockhart Smokehouse — Dallas — Central Texas-style barbecue at the Bishop Arts location. Select Dallas on the restaurant’s site for the appropriate menu and hours.
Shopping & Retail
- Bishop Street Market — Shop gifts and locally made goods in the Bishop Arts District.
- Spinster Records — Browse music at this Bishop Arts record shop, listed by the Dallas tourism office.
- M’antiques — Explore antiques and smaller furniture pieces in Bishop Arts.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Indigo 1745 — A Bishop Arts boutique offering men’s and women’s denim, apparel and accessories.
- Dolly Python — Browse vintage apparel and collectibles at this Dallas shop.
- Wild Bill’s Western Store — Western clothing, boots and hats in Dallas’s historic West End.
Outdoor Fun
- White Rock Lake — Walk or cycle the lakeside trails and enjoy birdwatching and picnic areas. Check the city’s current trail closures and detours.
- Cedar Ridge Preserve — Hike marked trails through a protected natural area in southwest Dallas. Bicycles are prohibited; check opening status before traveling.
- Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden — Explore gardens beside White Rock Lake. Check admission, parking and seasonal garden access before visiting.
Free Things To Do
- Dallas Museum of Art — general admission — General admission is free, with tickets required for every visitor. Special exhibitions and parking may carry separate charges.
- Klyde Warren Park — Visit the downtown park without an admission charge. Check the current activity calendar for cancellations; parking and purchases are separate.
- Cedar Ridge Preserve — Admission is free, with donations encouraged for conservation. Follow marked trails, carry out trash and check current opening conditions.
Every place has a story.Find Your Next Favorite.