Van Alstyne, Texas

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Van Alstyne, Texas
City
Motto(s): 
"Proud Past, Bright Future"
Location of Van Alstyne, Texas
Location of Van Alstyne, Texas
Coordinates: 33°25′17″N 96°35′00″W / 33.42139°N 96.58333°W / 33.42139; -96.58333
CountryUnited States
StateTexas
CountiesGrayson, Collin
Government
 • TypeCouncil-manager
 • MayorJim Atchison
 • City ManagerLane Jones
Area
[1]
 • City
5.33 sq mi (13.81 km2)
 • Land5.33 sq mi (13.81 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
 • Metro
979 sq mi (2,536 km2)
Elevation
[2]
781 ft (238 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
4,369
 • Estimate 
(2023)[3]
8,500
 • Density820/sq mi (320/km2)
 • Metro
120,877
 • Metro density130/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
75495
Area codes903, 430
FIPS code48-74924[4]
GNIS feature ID2412145[2]
Websitewww.cityofvanalstyne.us

Van Alstyne is a small, affluent, and rapidly growing city in Grayson and Collin Counties in the U.S. state of Texas. The population was 3,046 at the 2010 census,[5] up from 2,502 at the 2000 census. As of the 2020 United States census, the population grew to 4,369 people. 2023 estimates place the resident count at 5,378.[6] The Grayson County portion of Van Alstyne is part of the Sherman–Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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Drawn by the economic promise of the Houston and Texas Central Railway,[7] Van Alstyne was founded in 1873 by settlers from the nearby community of Mantua. The community was named for Marie Van Alstyne, a Houston socialite and major shareholder in the railroad company.[8]

A post office was opened that same year, and by the time Van Alstyne officially incorporated in 1890, the town had grown to a population of 400, supported by a thriving rural economy, a local newspaper, and a college. By the turn of the century, the population had reached 1,940, and the town supported a range of businesses, including multiple banks, a grain elevator, a roller mill, and a chemical company.

Throughout the 20th century, Van Alstyne remained a vibrant rural hub for agriculture, trade, manufacturing, and banking. Its economy, along with strong community institutions, sustained the town through decades of slow, steady development and moderate population growth.[7]

In May 2022, citizens passed a resolution establishing the first city charter, making Van Alstyne a Texas home rule city.[9] Van Alstyne is a council/manager form of government with a mayor and 6 city council members each elected at large by place to three year terms.

Geography

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Van Alstyne is located in southeastern Grayson County. The city limits extend south slightly into Collin County.

The U.S. Route 75 freeway runs through the western side of the city, with access from Exits 50 and 51. US 75 leads north 27 miles (43 km) to Denison and south 50 miles (80 km) to the center of Dallas. Van Alstyne's immediate neighbors are Anna to the south and Howe to the north.

According to the United States Census, Van Alstyne has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.5 km2), all land.[5]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870213—
1880737246.0%
18907370.0%
19001,940163.2%
19101,441−25.7%
19201,58810.2%
19301,453−8.5%
19401,65013.6%
19501,649−0.1%
19601,608−2.5%
19701,98123.2%
19801,860−6.1%
19902,09012.4%
20002,50219.7%
20103,04621.7%
20204,36943.4%
2023 (est.)6,78255.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

[11]

Van Alstyne racial composition as of 2020[12]
(NH = Non-Hispanic)[a]
Race Number Percentage
White (NH) 3,220 73.7%
Black or African American (NH) 152 3.48%
Native American or Alaska Native (NH) 41 0.94%
Asian (NH) 37 0.85%
Some Other Race (NH) 3 0.07%
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) 206 4.72%
Hispanic or Latino 710 16.25%
Total 4,369

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,369 people, 1,307 households, and 1,108 families residing in the city.

Education

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Public schools

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Students are served by the Van Alstyne Independent School District. Schools in the district include Partin Elementary School (formerly Van Alstyne Elementary School), Sanford Elementary School, Van Alstyne Middle School, Van Alstyne Junior High School and Van Alstyne High School.[15]

Colleges

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Grayson County College operates a branch campus in Van Alstyne.

Grayson College's south campus in Van Alstyne

Transportation

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US Highway 75 and Texas State Highway 5 runs north-south through Van Alstyne with 75 being on the western edge while SH 5 runs straight through Van Alstyne. FM 121 runs east-west through Van Alstyne.

Roads

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References

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  1. ^ "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 7, 2020.
  2. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Van Alstyne, Texas
  3. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  4. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  5. ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Van Alstyne city, Texas". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved August 3, 2015.
  6. ^ "Census profile: Van Alstyne, TX". Census Reporter. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  7. ^ a b "Van Alstyne, Texas". Texas State Historical Association. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  8. ^ "Profile for Van Alstyne, Texas, TX". ePodunk. Retrieved July 27, 2012.
  9. ^ "LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE CHAPTER 9. HOME-RULE MUNICIPALITY". statutes.capitol.texas.gov. Retrieved August 6, 2025.
  10. ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  11. ^ "City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2023". Census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  12. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2022.
  13. ^ https://www.census.gov/ [not specific enough to verify]
  14. ^ "About the Hispanic Population and its Origin". www.census.gov. Retrieved May 18, 2022.
  15. ^ "Van Alstyne Independent School District". Van Alstyne Independent School District. Archived from the original on February 29, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
  16. ^ Texas Official Travel Map
  1. ^ Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.[13][14]
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