Rockwall is a city in Rockwall County, Texas, United States, which is part of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. It is the county seat of Rockwall County. The U.S. Census Bureau estimate's Rockwall's 2019 population to be 45,888. The name Rockwall is derived from a naturally jointed geological formation, which has the appearance of an artificial wall.
History
The association of Paleo-Indian artifacts with extinct Pleistocene mammal remains in various archeological sites within the Texas Prairie-Savannah Region of eastern North Central Texas, including a site in Collin County, and Clovis points recovered from the Brushy Creek Clovis Site in Hunt County demonstrates that the Rockwall region was occupied by prehistoric Native American cultures at least as far back as 13,500 to 13,000 years ago. More recently, the Rockwall region was occupied by Caddo Indians. Creek Indians moved to the area in the early 19th century.
In 1851, the first Anglo-American settlers moved to the area, and wells were dug. During the digging, they found large underground rock walls that were initially believed to be manmade. Later study of the wall-like features by geologists and archaeologists found them to be jointed, natural sandstone dikes that had intruded Cretaceous marl.
The town was established April 17, 1854 and named after these natural rock walls. While originally part of Kaufman County, in 1873, Rockwall County was formed with Rockwall being the county seat.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it (1.63%) is water.
Rockwall is on the east shore of Lake Ray Hubbard about 20 miles northeast of Dallas. It is on state highways 205 and 66, north of Interstate 30.
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Rockwall has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 47,251 people, 16,151 households, and 12,771 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 17,976 people, 6,605 households, and 5,158 families residing in the city. The population density was 806.9 people per square mile (311.5/km2). There were 7,089 housing units at an average density of 318.2 per square mile (122.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.35% White, 3.00% African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.57% from other races, and 1.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.44% of the population.
There were 6,605 households, out of which 39.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.9% were non-families. 18.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $65,411, and the median income for a family was $75,121. Males had a median income of $55,370 versus $35,139 for females. The per capita income for the city was $29,843. About 3.2% of families and 3.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 3.0% of those age 65 or over.
Though Rockwall County is the smallest county in Texas, it is also one of the top five fastest-growing counties in the United States. As of the 2006 census by the North Texas Central Council of Governments, the city had a population of 29,500. In 2006, Rockwall County was the fastest-growing county in the United States by population.
Economy
According to the city's 2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
Government
Local government
According to the city's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report Fund Financial Statements, the city's various funds had $39.0 million in Revenues, $42.2 million in expenditures, $32.3 million in total assets, $3.6 million in total liabilities, and $25.9 million in investments.
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:
The city of Rockwall 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.
State government
Rockwall is represented in the Texas Senate by Republican Bob Hall, District 2, and in the Texas House of Representatives by Republican Justin Holland, District 33.
Federal government
At the Federal level, the two U.S. Senators from Texas are Republicans John Cornyn and Ted Cruz; Rockwall is part of Texas' US Congressional 4th District, which is currently represented by Republican Pat Fallon.
Education
Public schools
The city is served by the Rockwall Independent School District.
There are two public high schools in Rockwall: Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School. There are eleven elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools in Rockwall.
Higher education
The city is home to the Higher Education Center at Rockwall, which is part of the community college district, Collin College. The campus is the District's first campus outside of Collin County itself. Texas A&M University-Commerce holds classes at the center. Texas A&M University-Commerce also has a campus located at the Rockwall Technology Park.
Transportation
Rockwall is served by the following highways that run through the city:
Interstate 30
U.S. Highway 67 (runs concurrent with Interstate 30)
State Highway 66
State Highway 205
State Highway 276
Farm to Market 549
Farm to Market 552
Farm to Market 740
Ralph M. Hall/Rockwall Municipal Airport is located two miles east of the city and is used mostly by small general aviation aircraft.
Sports
Rockwall offers many different sports complexes as well as activities. Airport Road boasts baseball fields, as well as the Landing Point complex containing the Texas International Fencing Center, zipline and dance facilities. The Rockwall Indoor Sports Expo is located on South 205. Lake Ray Hubbard has several boating marinas and is used for jet skiing.
Rockwall also offers 2 different Golf Courses [http://www.rockwalltoday.com/community/rockwall_texas_golf_courses.php] within 17 miles of the center of Rockwall.
Notable people
Jason Castro, top 12 contestant on American Idol (season 7)
Joe Driver, Texas State Representative from 1993 to 2013
Allie Gonino, singer, actress, and violinist who played Laurel Mercer in The Lying Game
Cliff Harris, professional football safety who played for the Dallas Cowboys
Alex Jones, conservative radio show host and conspiracy theorist who grew up in Rockwall during the 1980s and early 1990s
Larry Lea, former televangelist whose ministry was based in Rockwall during the 1980s and early 1990s
Mason Musso, lead singer and guitarist in Metro Station
Mitchel Musso, actor
Marina Oswald Porter, widow of Lee Harvey Oswald
Amar Sandhu, first American-born Punjabi singer
Andy Tanner, former wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints
Travis Tedford, former child actor best known for portraying Spanky McFarland in the 1994 feature film The Little Rascals
Popular culture
In 2013, forensic geologist, Scott Wolter, on the television show America Unearthed, visited Rockwall to investigate the claims that the wall might have been manmade, and the conclusion of the episode was that the underground structure was natural and not man-made.
