The North Fort Worth area profile was once dominated by cattle and feed yards. Now nationally recognized and ranked as a progressive place to live and work. Fort Worth is still like the Old West but with a multitude of modern amenities. Otherwise known as “Cowtown,” Fort Worth combines its frontier heritage seamlessly with burgeoning industries and a varied culture.
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States and the fifth-largest city in Texas. The trail-blazing spirit remains with Fort Worth today, but attention has turned to the high-tech and service industries of a developing western metropolis. Fort Worth is a business-friendly environment, centrally located in the United States, and has a world-class international airport and an enterprising spirit.
Fort Worth has an area of approximately 350 miles and is located in the rolling hills of the Great Plains region of north-central Texas. It is the seat of Tarrant County and the major city in the western half of the Fort Worth/Dallas Metroplex. Fort Worth is 30 miles from Dallas and separated from it by the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and several smaller central cities, such as Irving, Arlington, and Grand Prairie.
Fort Worth’s climate is continental and humid subtropical, characterized by long, hot summers, and short, mild winters. Fort Worth has a mean elevation of 670 feet. Average temperatures range from 44.1° F to 84.4° F, with average annual precipitation of 34.73 inches and average annual snowfall of 2.6 inches.
Fort Worth is the 16th-largest city in the United States and the fifth-largest city in Texas. The city is in North Central Texas and covers nearly 350 square miles in the counties of Denton, Parker, Wise, and Tarrant, (the county seat) with a population of 833,319. Much of the growth continues to be in North Fort Worth, where a skyline of downtown is still visible. Fort Worth has added more people than any city in North Texas, including Dallas, showing that it still has serious captivating power. Growth in North Fort Worth can be seen at the Alliance Town Center, which sits across I-35W from the Presidio Shopping Center.
Fort Worth is a city perfectly situated to grow a company as it is a major center for industry, technology, distribution and transportation. Due to the abundant land and low operating costs, corporations find Fort Worth to be an ideal place to do business. It offers a combination of partnership and progress, merged with a stupendous quality of life and thriving business opportunities. Major companies based in Fort Worth include American Airlines Group, D. R. Horton, Pier 1 Imports, RadioShack, and the BNSF Railway, along with a major FedEx hub.
The Dallas/Fort Worth labor force population has grown by 129,715 people (3.6%) in the last year. The labor force in Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington has grown at a fast rate, with positive economic conditions continuing to improve. The labor force is diverse, with varying employee skill levels and wage rates are competitive due to the low cost of living. The labor force is enhanced by the area’s large number of active and retired military population, along with over 150,000 college students. Less than 20 states have a metro market as large as Fort Worth.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is a major commercial airport located between Fort Worth and Dallas. It is the world’s third-busiest airport based on operations and tenth-busiest airport based on passengers. Fort Worth is home to the following four airports within city limits: Fort Worth Alliance Airport, Fort Worth Meacham International Airport, Fort Worth Spinks Airport, Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth.
Utility costs in Fort Worth are approximately three points lower than the national average. Utility companies in North Texas vary according to area, and several companies offer service to the entire Metroplex. In Dallas and Fort Worth, water, sewage, and trash collection are all city services. In surrounding towns, utility billing is usually handled at the city offices, even if a service originates from Fort Worth or Dallas.
Texas is one of seven states with no taxes on income of any kind, nor does it have state property tax. The Comptroller’s office does not collect property tax or set tax rates as it is up to local taxing units, which use tax revenue to provide local services including schools, streets and roads, police and fire protection and many others.
The Texas franchise tax is a privilege tax imposed on each taxable entity formed or organized in Texas or doing business in Texas. Texas’s statewide sales tax rate is relatively moderate at 6.25%, but total sales taxes (including county and city taxes) of up to 8.25% are allowed.
According the American Petroleum Institute, state fees and taxes on purchases of regular gasoline in Texas total 20 cents per gallon – equaling the ninth lowest in the country.
As of January 1, 2005, there is no inheritance tax in Texas, however, estates with a date of death before then must still pay the previously existing tax.
Fort Worth, incorporated in 1873, adopted a council-manager form of government when it received its charter from the Texas Legislature in 1924. The council also appoints the city secretary, city attorney, city auditor, municipal court judges and citizens who serve on city boards and commissions. Council members are elected from the district in which they reside, except the mayor who is elected at large. The mayor is the official head of the city’s government and represents Fort Worth on public occasions. The mayor is a voting member of the City Council. Duties of the council also include setting the tax rate, approving the budget, planning for capital improvements, adopting all city ordinances, selecting citizens to serve on boards and commissions, and approving major land transactions, purchases and contracts.
The overall cost of living in Fort Worth is affordable and just below the national norm and over 4% lower than the national average. While goods and services in Fort Worth are expensive, grocery prices are reasonable, and housing costs are very low. Home appreciation in the last 10 years has been over 21%. Recent job growth is positive. Read more: Community impact.
Railhead Industrial Park can provide two rail switches per day. This includes service from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway with direct access to one of its main NAFTA operations yards (on the eastern side) and has additional capacity for secondary service from the Union Pacific Railroad which borders the Industrial Park to the west. This enhances the potential for a low-cost turnaround and the best rail service in all of North Texas.
Railhead Industrial Park area profile is known for its location, less than two miles west of Interstate 35W, otherwise known as the NAFTA Superhighway. It is located in North Fort Worth at Northeast Loop 820 and Blue Mound Road (FM 156), occupying both the northwest and southwest corners of the intersection. Railhead is only 25 minutes from DFW International Airport and 10 minutes from downtown Fort Worth.
Railhead Fort Worth is an approximately 633-acre industrial park that includes a multi-tenant property at the SE corner of North Main Street and Industrial Road, along with build-to-suit options that will allow businesses to purchase land. Lease space options are also available.
Railhead Industrial Park will include ± 10 million square feet of industrial, office and warehouse space.
The City of Fort Worth Public Works Department provides water and sewer services. TXU Energy, TXU Gas and SBC Southwestern Bell serve the Park.