Page 165 - Haltom City FY20 Approved Budget

City of Haltom City Annual Budget, FY 2020
Supplemental Information

The permanent courthouse was never completed because in November, 1856, in a highly
contested special election, Fort Worth won the county seat by a margin of three to thirteen votes
(the official count varies). Jubilant Fort Worth citizens took the county records, equipment, and
furniture back to Fort Worth for deposit in their own temporary courthouse. All early Tarrant County
records were later lost in a courthouse fire on March
29, 1876.

Birdville, until 1856, had the Monday county court
sessions and the associated commercial benefits.
It also had two newspapers, the Birdville Western
Express, with John J. Courtney as its editor; and
The Birdville Union, with Colonel A. G. Walker as its
editor. Walker killed Courtney in a shoot-out
stemming from disagreements concerning the
elections and states' rights regarding slavery.

Haltom City's population was reported at 107 in
1930 and at 40 with seven businesses in 1936, just
four years after the business district moved south to the new location. In 1950, the population rose
to 3,000 within an incorporated area of four-square miles, and in 1960 to 23,000, the result of
continuing growth and annexations.

Haltom City continued to grow through the 1960’s and the City’s population reached 28,000 by
1970. Growth during the 1970’s was more modest as developments to the east around the
Dallas-Fort Worth airport drew residential and commercial development.

Haltom City was rediscovered as a place to live in the 1980’s. Despite the recession of the early
1980’s and the real estate bust of the late 1980’s Haltom City grew from 29,000 in 1980 to nearly
33,000 in 1990. The north end of town, north of Loop 820 became a focal point of real
development in the 1990’s and the population in the City climbed to 39,000 in 2000.

Today the City is home to an estimated 42,740 residents and some 3,468 businesses. Estimates
by demographic experts are that the City is 88% developed and should achieve build-out prior to
2030. The population at build out is estimated to reach 44,000.

The composition of the population has changed markedly over the years. For much of its early
history Haltom City was primarily white. Since the more recent growth spurt of the past 25 years
the demographics have changed. The 2010 Census indicates Hispanics make up 39% of the
population and Asians another 8%. African-Americans comprised 4% of the population and
whites 47%.

City is the Sara Lee (Hillshire Brands) plant responsible for the State Fair Corndogs and
Medtronics, a major medical supplier. Today, Haltom City is the location of a rapidly growing
Asian community and a vibrant Asian commercial district, which is redeveloping Belknap Street
on the south side of Haltom City.

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