Balch Springs, Texas

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Balch Springs, Texas
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settlement_type = City
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map_caption = Location of Balch Springs in Dallas County, Texas


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subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Texas
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Dallas
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established_title3 = Incorporated
established_date3 = June 13, 1953
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unit_pref = Imperial
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area_total_km2 = 20.9
area_land_km2 = 20.9
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 8.1
area_land_sq_mi = 8.1
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
area_water_percent = 0.12
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population_as_of = 2000
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population_total = 19375
population_density_km2 = 927.0
population_density_sq_mi = 2392
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timezone = CST
utc_offset = -6
timezone_DST = CDT
utc_offset_DST = -5
latd = 32 |latm = 43 |lats = 3 |latNS = N
longd = 96 |longm = 36 |longs = 55 |longEW = W
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 152
elevation_ft = 499
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 75180
area_code = 972
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 48-05372GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1329964GR|3
website = http://www.cityofbalchsprings.com/
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Balch Springs is a city in Dallas County, Texas, United States. The population was 19,375 at the 2000 census. Balch Springs is a suburb of Dallas. Before being renamed to Balch Springs, the city was known as Zip City.

In the 1980s Balch Springs attempted to be annexed to another city, once to Mesquite, Texas, and another time to Dallas. Neither vote was successful.

Geography

Balch Springs is located at coor dms|32|43|3|N|96|36|55|W|city (32.717381, -96.615154)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (20.9 km²), of which, 8.1 square miles (20.9 km²) of it is land and 0.12% is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 19,375 people, 6,175 households, and 4,828 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,404.7 people per square mile (928.1/km²). There were 6,504 housing units at an average density of 807.2/sq mi (311.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 62.90% White, 18.52% African American, 0.98% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 14.05% from other races, and 2.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 25.72% of the population.

There were 6,175 households out of which 46.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.8% were non-families. 16.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.13 and the average family size was 3.49.

In the city the population was spread out with 34.1% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 32.2% from 25 to 44, 17.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,087, and the median income for a family was $38,750. Males had a median income of $29,256 versus $26,611 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,476. About 10.7% of families and 12.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

The southwest portion of Balch Springs is served by Dallas Independent School District, while the northeast portion is served by Mesquite Independent School District. The two portions are roughly each one half of the city.

Mesquite Independent School District

Mesquite ISD students are zoned to one of the following elementary schools:
* Floyd Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
* Gray Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
* Hodges Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
* Mackey Elementary School (PreK-5, Balch Springs)
* McWhorter Elementary School (PreK-5, Mesquite)
* Moss Elementary School (K-6, Mesquite)

Most Mesquite ISD students are zoned to A.C. New Middle School (grades 6-8) and West Mesquite High School (9-12). Some MISD students (in the portion zoned to McWhorter) are zoned to Wilkinson Middle School (6-8) and WMHS. A small portion (the portion zoned to Moss) of Balch Springs is zoned to Agnew Middle School (7-8) and Mesquite High School. All secondary schools mentioned are in the city of Mesquite.

Dallas Independent School District

Dallas ISD students are zoned to:
* Cuellar Elementary School (PK-6)
* Lagow Elementary School (PK-6)
* Runyon Elementary School (PreK-6)

Students zoned to Lagow continue on to E.B. Comstock Middle School (7-8) and H. Grady Spruce High School (9-12).

Students zoned to Cuellar and Runyon continue on to Fred F. Florence Middle School (7-8) and W.W. Samuell High School (9-12). All DISD schools mentioned are in the city of Dallas.

Some Balch Springs residents wish for the DISD portion to be rezoned into MISD [http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/city/mesquite/stories/DN-balchsecede_04met.ART0.North.Edition1.3db6615.html] .

Private schools

There is also a private Christian school within the Balch Springs city limits. Balch Springs Christian Academy serves students from Kindergarten to 12th grade.

Library

The Balch Springs Library-Learning Center opened its doors April 10, 2006. The building consists of an auditorium that seats 85 people as well as a classroom and the library portion of the building. The location is 12450 Elam Rd, Balch Springs, TX 75180, phone number is 972-913-3000. Hours are Monday-Friday 10:00am - 9:00pm. Saturday 10:00am. - 3:00 pm. For more information go to http://www.balchspringslib.tx.us

References

External links

* [http://www.cityofbalchsprings.com/ Balch Springs official website]