Residents are not surprised that Allen was rated number 20 on Money Magazine's Best Places to Live in 2008. With highly rated Allen and Lovejoy school districts, close proximity to many area employers and numerous parks and recreation facilities, Allen is a family-friendly community and the growth of the city over the past decade proves it. You will find a sense of community here that is absent in many other cities.

Named after Ebenezer Allen, a former attorney general for the state and one of the promoters of the railroad, Allen was established by a purchasing agent in 1870 for the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. Allen's population has risen and declined with the advent and discontinuation of the electric railway, but by the late 1960s, the population began its steady upward growth due to the relocation of the technology industry to the area.

Following a huge population jump in the mid-1990s, Allen remains one of the fastest growing cities in Collin County and the North Texas area. In the last ten years the population of Allen has more than doubled and city representatives are expecting this growth trend to continue. Currently, the city's population stands at over 81,000 with build out reaching almost 98,000.

A major reason that Allen has attracted so many families is the school districts. Education is given a high priority and the school districts reflect the community's dedication to our youth.

Allen boasts one of the best parks and recreation systems in the state of Texas. New parks and recreation facilities are in abundance, offering high quality recreational and sports opportunities for all ages. With a dynamic and growing parks and recreation system, Allen residents currently enjoy over 40 community and neighborhood parks and a wealth of recreational activities such as Celebration Park, the Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium and the Edge at Allen Station Park-the largest outdoor skate park in Texas.

From traditional neighborhood parks to quiet greenbelt areas to the spacious sports complexes, Allen has park facilities to rival many larger communities. The participation in local sports by both youth and adults reflects the family spirit in Allen.

With its pro-development spirit and quality of life, Allen continues to see signs of positive growth. Over the last ten years, Allen has garnered statewide recognition as a premier location for high-tech industries and corporate campuses. With strategic alliances and a clear vision for the future, Allen leaders have worked to bring many projects to the community that have added a significant tax base and provided many jobs for our skilled workforce. Job growth since 2000 has averaged 69%. Retail growth continues in the area with projects such as The Village at Allen and Fairview and Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm. The Watters Creek project has been innovative from the start, showing a respect for the land and existing topography, which gives Montgomery Farm its charm and appeal along with the combination of shops, restaurants and residential space.

New homes are being built everywhere (99% of Allen is now less than forty-years-old) and new high tech businesses are locating here. Allen is now a bustling small city and still growing. More and more people are choosing Allen as the ideal place to raise their families.

The reason that Allen has been able to maintain its small town appeal amidst all the growth is because it is a community of involved residents who volunteer their time to help their neighbors, serve on committees and boards, coach youth sports and participate in activities and events that benefit the entire community.

We can all look forward to an exciting future because of the foundation laid on this part of our prairie by those who came before us. Allen has transitioned well from yesterday into today, and there is no doubt the transition from today into tomorrow will be equally as interesting.

If you live in Allen, TX you live in the greatest little city in America, an exciting place where history meets the future and our greatest achievements lie just ahead.