How Big is Dallas? Bigger Than Your Texas-Sized Ego (Probably)
You might be thinking of visiting the Big D, or maybe you're a resident wondering just how much sprawl you actually contribute to. Either way, the question on your mind is: how big is Dallas, really?
Well, buckle up, partner, because the answer might surprise you. Dallas isn't exactly shrinking violets in the land of wide-open spaces. Here's the lowdown on the square footage of this Texas titan:
The Big Numbers: We're Talkin' Square Miles, Y'all
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Dallas clocks in at a whopping 385.8 square miles (that's 999.3 square kilometers for our international friends). Now, that might not sound impressive compared to, say, the state of Alaska (because seriously, Alaska, that's just showing off). But here's the thing: that's a whole lot of space to house over a million people (and their ten-gallon hats, we presume).
Land vs. Water: The Neverending Debate (Except It's Not Really a Debate)
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Now, not all of those square miles are created equal. Dallas, like any self-respecting Texan city, has a healthy dose of water coursing through it. We're talking about 45.3 square miles (117.4 square kilometers) to be exact. That's a lot of potential real estate for those dream waterfront mansions (although, let's be honest, the Texas heat might make you reconsider that dream).
But Wait, There's More! The Great Dallas sprawl
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Dallas isn't an island (geographically speaking, at least). It's the heart of a much larger metropolitan area known as the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. This sprawl-tastic beast covers a mind-boggling 9,286 square miles (24,100 square kilometers). That's bigger than Rhode Island and Connecticut combined! So, if you ever feel like you've driven forever and you're still in the metroplex, well, you're not wrong.
So, How Big is Dallas? Big Enough for Whatever You Need (Except Maybe Peace and Quiet)
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Whether you're looking for a bustling downtown experience or a place to spread out with a little elbow room, Dallas has you covered. Just remember, with all that space comes a whole lot of people (and maybe a little traffic). But hey, that's just the price you pay for living in a city that's truly Texan-sized.