Frisco, Texas, is a thriving metropolis situated in the counties of Collin and Denton, nestled within the dynamic Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Located approximately 25 miles (40 km) from both Dallas Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Frisco enjoys a prime position for easy access to these major transportation hubs.
Frisco experienced the highest rate of growth among all U.S. cities in both 2017 and the years spanning from 2000 to 2009.
In 1904, the town’s residents decided to name their town “Frisco City” in tribute to the St. Louis–San Francisco Railway, which had brought significant development to the area. The name was later abbreviated to Frisco.
Frisco is situated within the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area, straddling Denton and Collin counties in North Texas. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city encompasses an area of 62.4 square miles, with 160.1 square miles being land and 0.58 square miles, or 0.92%, consisting of water.
San Francisco belongs to the humid subtropical climate zone. Annually, the city receives approximately 990 mm of precipitation. It enjoys 230 days of sunshine per year on average. The high temperature in July reaches 36 °C, while the low temperature in January drops to 1 °C.
According to the 2020 US census data, the city’s population had increased to 200,509 individuals, with 64,151 households and 48,519 families living there, compared to the count of 116,989 in 2010.
There are numerous retail properties in Frisco, such as Stonebriar Centre, a regional mall with 165 stores; IKEA, a furniture store spanning 28,800 m2 (310,000 sq ft); and The Star, which serves as the Dallas Cowboys’ headquarters. Preston Road, a primary north-south thoroughfare in the city, is also home to various retail stores and dining options.
In 2019, the leading employers in Frisco included the Frisco Independent School District with 7,048 employees, followed by the City of Frisco with 1,641 employees. Other significant employers were Conifer Health Solutions with 903 employees, T-Mobile USA with 900 employees, and Baylor Medical Center of Frisco with 663 employees. Additionally, Mario Sinacola & Sons Excavating had 603 employees, Oracle Corporation had 500 employees, IKEA had 423 employees, Baylor Scott White / Centennial Hospital had 400 employees, and the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center had 300 employees.
Frisco Square is a hub of activity, with a diverse range of events taking place throughout the year. The square hosts Arts in the Square, Music in the Square, and the popular Christmas in the Square holiday light show, which is the largest choreographed lights and music display in North Texas. Additionally, the city hall features a Music in the Chamber concert series in the city council chamber, providing even more opportunities for entertainment and cultural engagement.
Frisco is known for its numerous sports facilities, the headquarters of several major sports teams, and an NCAA Division I conference headquarters. Frisco was recognized as the Best Place to Raise an Athlete by Men’s Journal in April 2011.
The Ford Center at the Star is an indoor stadium with a capacity of 12,000 seats. It is part of the larger Dallas Cowboys project known as “The Star,” which covers 91 acres and includes the team’s headquarters and training facilities. The Ford Center is used by the Cowboys for practice sessions and is also utilized by high school teams from the Frisco ISD on a rotating basis. Located on Gaylord Parkway, just one block west of the Dallas North Tollway, the Ford Center has hosted various professional teams such as the Texas Revolution of Champions Indoor Football and the Dallas Rattlers of Major League Lacrosse.
Frisco boasts a cutting-edge natatorium that meets Olympic standards. The local baseball and softball community has been thriving since the establishment of the Frisco Baseball and Softball Association in 1984. Young athletes can develop their football skills in a fun, recreational setting through the Frisco Football League before joining school teams. The Flagfootball4fun Flag Football League (FF4FUN) offers a similar opportunity for children to engage in youth flag football. Additionally, the popular sports entertainment company Dude Perfect has made Frisco its home.
The Frisco Athletic Center boasts an impressive 18,000 square feet of indoor aquatic amenities, complemented by approximately 40,000 square feet of outdoor aquatic spaces. In addition to its aquatic offerings, the center is equipped with state-of-the-art exercise equipment, basketball courts, and a variety of group exercise classes.
Frisco is a willing participant in the North Central Texas Council of Governments, which aims to organize and support local governments, find regional solutions, reduce redundant efforts, and make decisions together.
Following the redistricting in 2021 at both the state and federal levels, Frisco now includes the majority or portions of Texas State House of Representatives districts 57, 61, 66, and 106. Frisco also encompasses portions of Texas State Senate districts 8 and 30.
Frisco’s education system is primarily served by the Frisco Independent School District (Frisco ISD), with some areas falling under the jurisdiction of the Lewisville Independent School District, Little Elm Independent School District, and Prosper Independent School District. While Lewisville ISD has one elementary school within Frisco’s boundaries, Prosper ISD operates an elementary school, middle school, and high school within the city limits.
Frisco ISD comprises a total of 73 schools, including 12 high schools, 18 middle schools, 43 elementary schools, and 3 special programs centers. While the majority of these schools are located within the city limits of Frisco, some are situated in neighboring suburbs like Plano. The high schools in Frisco ISD generally participate in UIL Class 5A competitions, except for Panther Creek High School, which competes in Class 4A.
The Frisco ISD Early Childhood School offers educational opportunities for young children aged three and four who meet the necessary criteria for programs such as Headstart, Prekindergarten, or the Preschool Program for Children with Disabilities.
High school students at the Frisco ISD Career and Technical Education Center have the opportunity to explore a variety of career options, ranging from veterinary services to advertising and graphic design.
Collin College was selected by the Texas Legislature to serve as the community college for both Frisco and the entire Collin County region. The Preston Ridge campus of the college district was established in Frisco in 1995 on Wade Boulevard. Amberton University also has a campus situated on Parkwood Boulevard, located north of Warren Parkway. Additionally, in 2008, Frisco ISD inaugurated the Career and Technology Education Center.
The University of Dallas relocated its Carrollton campus to Frisco, where UT Arlington also has a professional MBA campus. The core MBA courses of the University of North Texas are available at the Frisco campus.
Key roadways in the area include the Dallas North Tollway (also known as the Service Road and Dallas Parkway), Sam Rayburn Tollway (with a service road along SH 121), SH 289 (Preston Road), US 380 (University Drive), and FM 423 (U.S. Army Sergeant Enrique Mondragon Memorial Highway).
Prominent individuals
Political figures
Pat Fallon, serving in the United States House of Representatives for Congressional District 4 since 2021 and previously on the Frisco city council from 2009 to 2013
Jared Patterson, representing District 106 in the Texas State House of Representatives since 2018
Notable figures from various fields include:
* King Diamond, a renowned heavy metal musician and vocalist of Mercyful Fate
* Courtney Gibbs, a former beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss Texas USA 1988 and Miss USA 1988
* Maelyn Jarmon, the winner of the 16th season of the reality TV show The Voice
* Cheyenne Kimball, a former member of the country music group Gloriana
* Dude Perfect, a popular YouTube influencer group known for their sports and entertainment content
* Jay Ajayi, a former National Football League running back who played for the Miami Dolphins and Philadelphia Eagles
* Jack Anderson, a professional American football player currently playing for the Philadelphia Eagles
* Marion Barber III, a former National Football League running back who played for the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears
* Ben Bishop, a professional ice hockey goaltender for the Dallas Stars
* Nick Bolton, a professional football player for the Kansas City Chiefs
* Bobby Crues, an American baseball player
* Dawson Deaton, a professional American football player for the Cleveland Browns
* Elliott Fry, a professional football player who is currently a free agent
* Lamar Jordan, a former professional football player who played for the Atlanta Falcons
* Matt Lepsis, a former National Football League player who won Super Bowl XXXIII with the Denver Broncos
* Kene Nwangwu, a professional football player for the Minnesota Vikings
* Ryan O’Hearn, a professional baseball player for The Baltimore Orioles
* Red Patterson, a former professional baseball player who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The inaugural season of Dallas was shot at Frisco’s Cloyce Box Ranch, now known as the Brinkmann Ranch, in 1978. The ranch’s residential property served as the Ewing family’s on-screen abode. Unfortunately, the house experienced a devastating fire during renovations in 1987, leaving only its steel framework still standing. Today, the Brinkmann Ranch remains the largest family-owned estate in Frisco, bearing witness to the remnants of the Ewing family’s former dwelling.