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West

 Dallas  Community  Collaborative  


for  Schools,  Jobs  and  Housing:  
West  Dallas  Demographic  Data  and  Analysis  
 
 

11.5 Sq. Miles


55 Organizations
13 Schools
= 1 Project
ACCION  Texas    
AVANCE  Dallas    
ƌŽƚŚĞƌŝůů͛Ɛ,ĞůƉŝŶŐ,ĂŶĚ  
Builders  of  Hope    
Dallas  Faith  Communities  Coalition  
Education  Is  Freedom    
Marillac  Social  Center    
Mary  Saner  Child  Development  Center  
Mercy  Street    
Serve  West  Dallas    
The  ARK  Group  (Adults  Relating  to  Kids)    
Trinity  River  Mission    
Vickery  Meadow  Learning  Center    
Voice  of  Hope    
Wesley  Rankin  Community  Center    
West  Dallas  Community  Centers    
West  Dallas  Weed  and  Seed    
Dallas  Independent  School  District  
St.  Mary  of  Carmel  Catholic  School  
The  Heights  Preparatory  School  (Uplift)  
West  Dallas  Community  School  
 
 
 

 
About  the  West  Dallas  Community  Collaborative
 
The  purpose  of  the  West  Dallas  Community  Collaborative  for  Schools,  Jobs  and  Housing  (the  Collaborative)  is  
to  bring  into  focus  a  coordinated  array  of  resources  in  one  clearly  defined  geographic  area.    It  is  a  compilation  of  
the  work  and  plans  of  many  of  the  not-­‐for-­‐profit  organizations  working  in  West  Dallas.    Their  mutual  intention  is  
that  children  and  their  families  may  grow  into  engaged  citizens,  attending  great  schools  and  living  and  working  
in  healthy  communities.    
This   Demographics   information   is   an   excerpt   from   the   full   Collaborative   document,   available   on   the   DFCC  
website,  www.dfcc.us.    
 
Contacts                      
Dallas  Faith  Communities  Coalition  (DFCC)  
4514  Travis,  Suite  350  
Dallas,  TX  75205  
(o)  214.269.3340  
www.dfcc.us    
Regina  Nippert,  Executive  Director  regina@dfcc.us    
Brooke  Cohen,  Director  of  Legislative  and  Corporate  Relations  brooke@dfcc.us    
Esmeralda  Ortiz,  Director  of  Community  Relations  esmeralda@dfcc.us    
Michelle  Edmond,  Faith  and  Community  Advocacy  Coordinator  michelle@dfcc.us    
Shree  N.  Moffett,  Community  Engagement  Coordinator  shree@dfcc.us    
Cameron  Mason  Vickrey,  Faith  Community  Coordinator  cameron@dfcc.us      
Tara  Powell,  Communications  Coordinator  tara@dfcc.us  
   
Demographics3  
 
Note:  Comparisons  are  to  City  of  Dallas  data  unless  otherwise  indicated.    Zip-­‐code  level  census  data  for  2010  is  
not  yet  available.  
TABLE  1  
West  Dallas  Community  Demographics   West   City  of  
(some  numbers  rounded)   Dallas   Dallas  
POPULATION4  except  where  noted      
         Total  population   24,063   1.2MM5  
         Median  age   26   33  
 
         Age  17  and  under   38% 27%  
         Hispanic/African-­‐American   72/25%   46/23%  
 
         Speak  Spanish  at  home   63.3% 39.5%  
INCOME4      
         Per  capita  income   9,813   24,273  
         Median  household  income             27,773   43,066  
 
         Households  earning  less  than  $15,000   33.2% 14.6%  
         Households  earning  less  than  $35,000   60.2%   40.6%  
 
         Families  with  children  living  below  poverty  level   37.5% 16.8%  
EDUCATION4      
         All  residents  age  25+  who  never  completed  high  school   67.1%   30.6%  
         Hispanic  residents  age  25+  who  never  completed  high  school   72.6%   61.9%  
         Residents  who  are  college  graduates   2%   27%  
6
   Pinkston  compared  to  DISD :      
         2009  graduates  who  took  SAT  or  ACT   40.5%   64.5%  (DISD)  
 
         2009  examinees  scoring  at  or  above  criterion  (1100  SAT  or  24  ACT)   3.2% 10.5%  (DISD)  
         Average  SAT  for  Class  of  2009   798   861  (DISD)  
         Class  of  2009  completion  statistics:      
                   Percent  of  class  who  earned  high  school  diploma  in  4  years   59.6%   67.6%  (DISD)  
                   WĞƌĐĞŶƚǁŚŽĚŝĚŶ͛ƚĞĂƌŶĚŝƉůŽŵĂŝŶϰLJĞĂƌƐĂŶĚwhere  they  went:   40.4%   32.4%  (DISD)  
                             -­‐  Earned  GED    1.2%      0.6%  (DISD)  
th  
                             -­‐  Continued  H.S.  for  5  year  (many  will  drop  out)   18.8% 12.7%  (DISD)  
                             -­‐  Dropped  out  during  those  4  years   20.4%   19.1%  (DISD)  
7 (except  where  noted)  
EMPLOYMENT-­‐RELATED      
         Unemployment  rate  (not  official)  counting  only  those  looking  for  work   12.59%   7.9%  
         Age  16+  employed  or  in  military  as  %  of  total  population   52.26%   63.12%  
         Age  16+  not  employed  as  %  of  total  population  (incl.  those  not  looking)   47.74%   36.88%  
8
         Employment  density  (jobs  per  square  mile)   1,649   2,2858  
         Households  not  owning  at  least  one  car   23%4   10%4  
9 except  where  noted
HEALTH        
         Births  per  1,000  females  age  15-­‐19   63-­‐10010   41.511  (U.S.)  
         Percent  of  births  to  mothers  under  20   44%   28%  (county)  
 
         Percent  of  births  to  unmarried  mothers   67% 51%  (county)  
         Percent  of  births  to  mothers  without  a  high  school  degree   30%   21%  (county)  
6  
         Percent  uninsured   60%  
HOUSING  (see  Table  3  for  census  tract  data)4      
 
         Median  owner-­‐occupied  housing  value   $46,863 $125,526  
 
         Median  age  of  housing  units   47 37  
 

Richardson    
TABLE  2  

Highland  
Pinkston  
 

Dallas      

Plano    
Comparisons    of  Pinkston  to  Dallas  ISD  and  other  North  Texas  

Park    
School  Districts12  

2009  graduates  who  took  SAT  or  ACT   40.5%   64.5%   74.8%   78.0%   ?13  
2009   examinees   scoring   at   or   above   criterion   (1100   SAT   or   24  
ACT)   3.2%   10.5%   41.8%   64.4%   75.4%  
Average  SAT  for  Class  of  2009   798   861   1054   1165   1203  
Class  of  2009  completion  statistics:            
       Percent  of  class  who  earned  high  school  diploma  in  4  years   59.6%   67.6%   87.2%   92.1%   99.2%  
       WĞƌĐĞŶƚǁŚŽĚŝĚŶ͛ƚĞĂƌŶĚŝƉůŽŵĂĂŶĚǁŚĞƌĞƚŚĞLJǁĞŶƚ͗   40.4%   32.4%   12.8%    7.9%    0.8%  
   -­‐  Earned  GED      1.2%      0.6%    0.6%    0.6%    0.0%  
             -­‐  Continued  high  school  for  5th  year  (many  will  drop  out)   18.8%   12.7%    7.4%    5.2%    0.6%  
             -­‐  Dropped  out  during  those  4  years   20.4%   19.1%    4.8%    2.1%    0.2%  
 
 
TABLE  3  

CT  102    includes  

CT  105  includes  
Greenleaf  Village  

City  of  Dallas  


 

Westmoreland  
CT  101.01  

CT  101.02  

CT  106.01  

CT  106.02  
 
La  Bajada  
Los  Altos  

Housing  comparisons  in  

Heights  
CT  43  

West  Dallas  census  tracts14    

Total  housing  units   839   1,387   982   1,324   917   1,639   892   537,378  
         Vacant  housing  units     13.3%   11.9%   10.2%   3.1%   17.6%   0.4%   1.2%   12.6%  
         Occupied  housing  units   86.7%   88.1%   89.8%   96.9%   82.4%   99.6%   98.8%   87.4%  
                   Owner-­‐occupied   56.8%   67.5%   61.6%   27.4%   63.8%   68.2%   36.7%   46.1%  
                   Renter-­‐occupied   43.2%   32.5%   38.4%   72.6%   36.2%   31.8%   63.3%   53.9%  
Median  value  of  owner-­‐
15
occupied  units   $65,800   $58,000   $49,800   $86,200   $55,400   $64,300   $63,800   $125,526  
Selected  monthly  owner  
costs  as  a  percentage  of  
household  income  ʹ  housing  
units  with  a  mortgage  paying  
35.0%  or  more   20.2%   74.7%   42.0%   43.9%   51.4%   28.8%   33.6%   30.8%  
Gross  rent  as  a  percentage  
of  household  income  ʹ  
percent  of  renters  paying  
35.0%  or  more  

36.8%   68.2%   54.8%   46.6%   42.7%   31.5%   45.4%   39.9%  


                                                                                                                     
3
 The  starting  place  for  many  of  these  statistics  is  the  report  from  the  J.  McDonald  Williams  Institute,  Research  Compilation  
West  Dallas  (Zip  Code  75212),  December  2006.  Statistics  are  generally  2005.  For  a  copy  contact  info@dfcc.us.  
4
 Most  of  the  Williams  Institute  statistics  have  been  updated  with  2010  estimates  from  Claritas  MarketPlace  Pop-­‐Facts:  
Demographic  Snapshot  2010  Reports  for  zip  code  75212  and  for  the  City  of  Dallas,  
http://www.claritas.com/sitereports/basic-­‐demographics-­‐report-­‐package.jsp    
5
 2010  Census,  http://factfinder.census.gov  
6
 Texas  Education  Agency  2009-­‐10  School  Report  Card  for  Pinkston  H.S.,  
http://www.dallasisd.org/inside_disd/depts/evalacct/data/aeis.htm,  item  #6  under  2009-­‐10  Annual  Educational  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Performance  Reporting.    College-­‐ready  scores  are  defined  as  1100  on  SAT  or  24  on  ACT  composite.    Comparisons  are  to  
DISD  overall.  
7
 These  rates  are  calculated  from  West  Dallas  census  tract  and  City  of  Dallas  data  for  ages  16+  reported  in  the  U.S.  Census  
Bureau  2005-­‐2009  American  Community  Survey  5-­‐Year  estimates,  Data  Profiles  for  census  tracts  43,  101.01,  101.02,  102,  
104,  105,  106.01,  106.02,  and  City  of  Dallas,  
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_lang=en&_ts=319995012908&_ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G00_&_program .    The  
unemployment  rate  reflects  persons  who  are  in  the  labor  force  but  neither  employed  nor  in  the  military.    To  calculate  a  
West  Dallas  unemployment  rate,  the  total  number  of  unemployed  for  all  census  tracts  was  divided  by  the  total  number  in  
the  labor  force  in  those  tracts.    The  same  calculation  was  made  for  the  City  of  Dallas.    This  has  the  same  weakness  that  the  
official  unemployment  rate  calculated  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  carries:  the  rate  excludes  individuals  who  are  no  
longer  looking  for  work.    The  reasons  that  people  do  not  look  for  work  can  include  sickness,  staying  home  with  children,  
undocumented  status,  retirement,  or  they  simply  gave  up.    So  another  way  to  evaluate  employment  is  to  compare  the  
jobless  rates:  adults  who  are  not  working,  calculated  as  a  percentage  of  the  total  population  ʹ  whether  in  the  labor  force  or  
not  ʹ  in  West  Dallas  compared  to  the  city  as  a  whole.    To  calculate  a  percentage  of  adults  employed  in  West  Dallas,  the  total  
number  of  employed  residents  in  all  census  tracts  was  divided  by  the  number  of  total  residents  in  those  tracts.    (None  were  
reported  as  serving  in  the  military.)  To  calculate  a  percentage  of  unemployed  adults,  the  total  number  of  those  in  the  labor  
force  but  unemployed  was  added  to  the  total  number  of  those  not  in  the  labor  force,  and  that  sum  was  divided  by  the  
number  of  total  residents.    The  same  calculation  was  made  for  City  of  Dallas  numbers.    Whether  you  look  at  the  
unemployment  rate  that  only  takes  into  account  those  looking  for  work,  or  whether  you  look  at  the  total  percentage  of  
adults  in  the  population  who  are  not  employed,  in  both  cases  West  Dallas  percentages  are  significantly  higher  than  those  
ĨŽƌƚŚĞŝƚLJŽĨĂůůĂƐ͘dŚŝƐĚŽĞƐŶ͛ƚŝŶĚŝĐĂƚĞƚŚĂƚƚŚĞƌĞĂƌĞŐƌĞĂƚĞƌŶƵŵďĞƌƐŽĨƉĞŽƉůĞŝŶtĞƐƚĂůůĂƐǁŚŽĐŚŽŽƐĞƚŽƐƚĂLJŽƵƚ  
of  the  labor  force.    Dr.  Timothy  ƌĂLJĂƚhdĂůůĂƐƉŽŝŶƚƐŽƵƚƚŚĂƚŝƚ͛ƐŚighly  unlikely  that  the  jobless  rate  in  West  Dallas  
represents  a  large  number  of  people  who  are  unemployed  by  choice,  such  as  retires  or  stay-­‐at-­‐home  mothers  who  elect  not  
to  work,  as  you  expect  to  find  in  higher  income  areas  in  the  city.    (Official  unemployment  rates  are  available  from  the  
Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics,  http://www.bls.gov/lau/data.htm.    A  rate  for  West  Dallas  is  not  available,  so  ACS  data  was  used  
for  a  more  accurate  comparison  between  West  Dallas  and  the  city  as  a  whole.)  
8
 DĂLJŽƌ͛Ɛ^ŽƵƚŚĞƌŶĂůůĂƐdĂƐŬ&ŽƌĐĞ͕ĂůůĂƐKĨĨŝĐĞŽĨĐŽŶŽŵŝĐĞǀĞůŽƉŵĞŶƚ͕ƌĞĂηϳĨĂĐƚƐŚĞĞƚ͕
http://www.southerndallas.org/documents/factsheets/7_West%20Dallas.pdf    
9
  2008   data   provided   by   the   Texas   Department   of   State   Health   Services,   Center   for   Health   Statistics   on   3/30/11.    
Comparisons  are  to  Dallas  County  data.  
10
 Dallas/Fort  Worth  Teen  Birth  Rates  by  ZIP  Code,  University  of  Texas  School  of  Public  Health,  citing  Texas  Depart  of  State  
Health  Services,  Bureau  of  Vital  Statistics,  2008,  provided  by  request.    63-­‐100  is  one  of  four  defined  ranges.  
11
 Comparison  data  is  U.S.  average.    Source:  Centers  for  Disease  Control  and  Prevention,  April  6,  2010  press  release,  
http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2010/r100406.htm.  
12
 District  data  from  Texas  Education  Agency  2009-­‐10  Academic  Excellence  Indicator  System,  
http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/2010/index.html.      
13
 Footnote  on  Highland  Park  ISD  2009-­‐ϭϬŝƐƚƌŝĐƚƉƌŽĨŝůĞĞdžƉůĂŝŶƐ͕͞ĂƚĂĨŽƌƚŚŝƐŝƚĞŵǁĞƌĞƐƚĂƚŝƐƚŝĐĂůůLJŝŵƉƌŽďĂďůĞŽƌǁĞƌĞ
ƌĞƉŽƌƚĞĚŽƵƚƐŝĚĞĂƌĞĂƐŽŶĂďůĞƌĂŶŐĞ͘͟  
14
 U.S.  Census  Bureau  2005-­‐2009  American  Community  Survey  5-­‐Year  estimates,  Data  Profiles  for  census  tracts  43,  101.01,  
101.02,  102,  105,  106.01,  106.02,  and  City  of  Dallas,  
http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DatasetMainPageServlet?_lang=en&_ts=319995012908&_ds_name=ACS_2009_5YR_G
00_&_program.    Maps  are  available  on  that  site  for  each  of  the  census  tracts.    Census  tract  104  is  not  included  in  this  report  
because  there  are  only  106  households,  but  data  for  that  tract  is  available  on  the  website.    Please  note  the  high  margins  of  
error  that  accompany  the  census  tract  level  ACS  statistics.    Please  see  p.  39  for  a  census  tract  map.  
15
 This  is  the  Claritas  2010  estimate.    American  Community  Survey  estimate,  which  is  the  same  report  that  the  census  tract  
median  values  are  found,  is  $129,500.    See  link  in  previous  footnote.  
Demographic  Narrative  
 
Despite  enormous  gains  made  in  the  past  10  years,  in  every  category  measured  West  Dallas  is  still  one  of  the  
most  challenged  communities  in  the  city.      
Population  and  Income:    tĞƐƚĂůůĂƐ͛ĚĞŵŽŐƌĂƉŚŝĐƐƐŚŽǁĂĐŽŵŵƵŶŝƚLJǁŚŽƐĞŵĞĚŝĂŶĂŐĞŝƐLJŽƵŶŐĞƌƚŚĂŶ
that   of   the   city   as   a   whole,   with   a   large   percentage   of   its   population   age   17   and   under.     Most   residents   are  
Hispanic,  with  about  a  quarter  African-­‐American.    Many  residents  speak  Spanish  in  the  home.    Both  household  
and  per   capita  incomes   are   substantially  lower  in  West  Dallas,  with  consequent   negative   impacts  on  children.    
More   than   a   third   of   families   with   children   live   below   the   poverty   level.     Although   pockets   of  middle-­‐income  
homeowners  are  found  in  West  Dallas,  it  is  the  areas  of  extreme  poverty  that  stand  out,  particularly  in  the  DHA  
Lakewest  Development  (once  the  largest  public  housing  development  in  the  country)  and  the  community  west  
of  Westmoreland  Road.    
Employment:    The  unemployment  rate  as  calculated  by  the  Bureau  of  Labor  Statistics  (which  we  mimicked  in  
calculating  a  West  Dallas  unemployment  rate  ʹ  see  footnote  10)  excludes  those  individuals  who  are  not  looking  
for  work.    As  the  footnote  explains,  there  are  many  reasons  people  may  not  look  for  work,  and  particularly  in  
low-­‐income   areas   like   West   Dallas,   one   cannot   assume   that   people   are   out   of   the   job   market   by   choice.    
Whether  you  compare  the  unemployment  rates  based  only  on  those  in  the  labor  force,  or  the  number  of  people  
not   working   as   a   percentage   of   the   population,   this   much   is   clear:   the   percentage   of   West   Dallas   residents  
without  jobs  is  significantly  higher  than  in  the  city  as  a  whole.      
Almost  one-­‐fourth  of  West  Dallas  households  do  not  own  a  car  and  rely  on  public  transportation.    Also  notable  is  
the  lower  employment  density  (number  of  jobs  per  square  mile)  in  West  Dallas.    Over  half  of  employed  West  
Dallas  residents  aƌĞĐĂƚĞŐŽƌŝnjĞĚĂƐŚĂǀŝŶŐ͞ďůƵĞĐŽůůĂƌ͟ŽĐĐƵƉĂƚŝŽŶƐ͕ĂŶĚĂůŵŽƐƚĂƋƵĂƌƚĞƌĂƐǁŽƌŬŝŶŐŝŶ͞ƐĞƌǀŝĐĞ
ĂŶĚ ĨĂƌŵ͟ ŽĐĐƵƉĂƚŝŽŶƐ͘16     Service   occupations,   according   to   the   Williams   Institute   (and   probably   many   blue  
collar   jobs   as   well)   are   frequently   characterized   by   low   wages,   a   lack   of   benefits,   and   low   advancement  
potential.17  
Education:     Ten   public   schools   serve   the   area.     Currently,   two   (Environmental   Science,   Lanier)   are   rated  
Exemplary,   two   (de   Zavala   and   Martinez)   are   rated   Recognized,   and   the   rest   are   rated   Academically  
Acceptable.18    Despite  these  ratings,  the  performance  of  many  students  at  middle  and  high  school  levels  remains  
poor.     Dropout   rates   are   difficult   to   calculate;   here   we   draw   conclusions   from   TEA   report   cards.     52.1%   of  
WŝŶŬƐƚŽŶ͛ƐĐůĂƐƐŽĨϮϬϬϴeither  completed  high  school  or  earned  a  GED  within  five  years  of  starting,  yielding  a  
ϰϳ͘ϵйĚƌŽƉŽƵƚƌĂƚĞŝĨLJŽƵĂƐƐƵŵĞƚŚĂƚƐƚƵĚĞŶƚƐǁŚŽĂƌĞĐŽƵŶƚĞĚĂƐĐŽŶƚŝŶƵŝŶŐĨŽƌĂƐŝdžƚŚLJĞĂƌĚŽŶ͛ƚĨŝŶŝƐŚ͘The  
four-­‐year   combined   completion   and   GED   rate   for   the   Class  of   2009   is  60.8%.     dŚĞ ĞdžƚĞŶƚ ƚŽǁŚŝĐŚ ƚŚĂƚĐůĂƐƐ͛  
dropout   rate   is   reduced   from   39.2%   after   the   fourth   year   depends   on   the   number  of   students   who   complete  
school  or  earn  a  GED  in  the  fifth  year  (information  not  yet  available).    These  completion  rates  are  low  compared  
to   DISD   as   a   whole.     In   SY   2007-­‐08   Pinkston   earned   an   Academically   Unacceptable   rating   for   the   fourth  
consecutive  year19.    After  a  great  deal  of  commitment  and  hard  work  by  the  principal  and  students  in  SY  2008-­‐
09,  Pinkston  earned  an  Academically  Acceptable  rating14.    Still,  the  number  of  students  scoring  high  enough  on  
the  SAT  or  ACT  to  indicate  college  readiness  rose  from  0%  in  the  class  of  2008  to  only  3.2%  in  the  class  of  2009  
;ƚŚĂƚ͛Ɛϯ͘ϮйŽĨƚŚĞϰϬ͘ϱйŽĨƚŚĞĐůĂƐƐŵĞŵďĞƌƐǁŚŽƚŽŽŬƚŚĞƚĞƐƚƐ͕ŶŽt  3.2%  of  the  entire  class20).    Even  though  
ƚŚĞĐůĂƐƐŽĨϮϬϬϵŝŵƉƌŽǀĞĚŽŶWŝŶŬƐƚŽŶ͛ƐĂǀĞƌĂŐĞ^dƐĐŽƌĞ;ϳϵϴĐŽŵƉĂƌĞĚƚŽϳϱϲĨŽƌƚŚĞĐůĂƐƐŽĨϮϬϬϴͿ͕ƚŚĂƚ
average   is  well  below  the  1100  score   that  Texas  Education  Agency  deems  the  minimum  indication  of  college-­‐
readiness.21    The  organization  Children  at  Risk  ranks  Pinkston  at  the  bottom  of  its  rankings  of  Dallas-­‐area  (183  of  
183)  and  state  (1018  of  1018)  high  schools.22  
Student   performance   is   clearly   challenged   by   the   impact   of   living   conditions   in   West   Dallas.     Poverty   impacts  
ĐŚŝůĚƌĞŶ͛ƐĂďŝůŝƚLJƚŽůĞĂƌŶ͘tĞƐƚĂůůĂƐ͛ƌĂƚĞƐŽĨďŝƌƚŚƐƚŽƚĞĞŶŵŽƚŚĞƌƐ͕ƵŶŵĂƌƌŝĞĚŵŽƚŚĞƌƐĂŶĚŵŽƚŚĞƌƐǁŝƚŚŽƵƚ
ĂŚŝŐŚƐĐŚŽŽůĚĞŐƌĞĞĂƌĞĂďŽǀĞŶĂƚŝŽŶĂůĂŶĚĐŽƵŶƚLJĂǀĞƌĂŐĞƐ͘WĂƌĞŶƚƐ͛ďĞƐƚĞĨĨŽƌƚƐĂƌĞŚĂŵƉĞƌĞĚďLJƚŚĞŝƌŽǁŶ
lack   of   education:   two-­‐thirds   of   adults   over   25   overall,   and   almost   three-­‐quarters   of   Hispanic   adults   over   25,  

 
never  completed  high  school.    Poor  performance  in  high  school  has  its  roots  in  pre-­‐K,  where  students  come  to  
school  knowing  2-­‐4,000  fewer  words  than  their  affluent  peers.23      
The  economic  impact  to  West  Dallas  of  its  ongoing  educational  failure  boggles  the  mind.    Using  a  conservative  
delta  of  a  $25,000/year  wage  differential  between  a  college  graduate  and  a  high  school  dropout,  2,000  dropouts  
in   10   years   have   cost   West   Dallas   $50,000,000   in   lost   wages   and   community   investment.     Drive   any   street   in  
West   Dallas   and   the   impact   of   this   loss   is   immediately   visible.     The   only   way   to   reverse   this   incredible   West  
ĂůůĂƐ ďƌĂŝŶ ĚƌĂŝŶ ĂŶĚ ƚƌƵůLJ ƌĞĂůŝnjĞ ƚŚĞ ĂƌĞĂ͛Ɛ ĨƵůů ƉŽƚĞŶƚŝĂů   is   to   create   conditions   that   drive   improvement   in  
education  so  that  every  West  Dallas  child  enters  young  adulthood  prepared  for  college  or  a  career.    
Shelter:     There   are   about   7,000   households   in   West   Dallas   (more   or   less,   depending   on   data   source 24.)    
AccŽƌĚŝŶŐƚŽƚŚĞDĂLJŽƌ͛Ɛ^ŽƵƚŚĞƌŶĂůůĂƐdĂƐŬ&ŽƌĐĞĨĂĐƚƐŚĞĞƚ͕ƌenters  account  for  about  40%  of  the  occupied  
housing  units,  owner-­‐occupied  are  about  45%,  and  about  15%  of  housing  units  sit  vacant.   25    However,  owner-­‐
occupied  and  renter-­‐occupied  rates  vary  among  different  census  tracts  (see  Table  3).    The  high  rate  of  renter-­‐
occupied  housing  persists  in  Census  Tract  102,  despite  the  demolition  of  many  federally-­‐subsidized  apartments  
and  their  replacement  with  single-­‐family  homes  in  Greenleaf  Village.      
Housing  values  vary  significantly  between  census  tracts  and  between  owner-­‐  and  renter-­‐occupied  homes,  with  
the   highest   values   in   Census   Tract   102,   where   Greenleaf   Village   is   located   (see   Table   3).     Generally,   renter-­‐
occupied  homes  are  older  and  in  poorer  condition,  which  is  reflected  in  substantially  lower  value.26  
Five  of  the  West  Dallas  census  tracts  reflect  owner-­‐occupancy  rates  that  exceed  that  for  the  city  of  Dallas  as  a  
ǁŚŽůĞ͘  ^ƚŝůů͕ ǁŝƚŚ ŵĞĚŝĂŶŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚ ŝŶĐŽŵĞ Ăƚ ΨϮϳ͕ϳϳϯ͕ ŵĂŶLJ tĞƐƚ ĂůůĂƐ ŚŽƵƐĞŚŽůĚƐ ĚŽŶ͛ƚ Ğarn   enough   to  
purchase  a  home  in  their  neighborhood  or  anywhere  else,  and  the  percentage  of  owners  and  renters  spending  
more  than  35%  of  household  income  on  mortgage  or  rent  is  troubling.        
Public   Health:     Most   West   Dallas   residents   seek   healthcare   at   Parkland   Hospital   (a   public   health   facility),   the  
Parkland  community-­‐based   clinic   in  West   Dallas,   or  Los   Barrios   Unidos  Community   Clinic,   a   federally   qualified  
health   center.     At   Los   Barrios   Unidos   93%   of   the   patients   are   Hispanic   and   70%   of   patients   are   uninsured.    
Although  still  high,  the  uninsured  rate  has  come  down  as  the  clinic  has  helped  residents  enroll  in  Medicaid  and  
CHIP.     In   2010   the   clinic   served   26,000   patients,   about   half   of   those   West   Dallas   and   Oak   Cliff   residents.    
According   to   statistics   provided   by   the   clinic,   the   West   Dallas   death   rates   exceeded   Dallas   County   and   Texas  
rates   for   heart   disease,   cirrhosis,   homicide,   kidney   disease,   diabetes,   and   HIV.     West   Dallas   death   rates   from  
stroke,  cancer,  and  suicides  were  less  than  Dallas  County  and  Texas  averages.27  
Recreation:    There  are  1,323  acres  of  vacant  land  within  its  boundaries28,  but  only  a  handful  of  municipal  parks  
and  school  playgrounds  provide  recreational  opportunities  in  West  Dallas.    The  Trinity  River  forms  part  of  the  
northern  and  eastern  boundaries  of  West  Dallas,  and  while  relatively  little  has  been  done  to  develop  this  natural  
resource   for   recreation,   the   Trinity   River   Corridor   Project   is   expected   to   change   that.     The   largest   urban  
redevelopment  project  of  its  kind  in  the  world,  the  project  is  slated  to  add  whitewater  rafting,  a  chain  of  lakes  
for  boating  and  canoeing,  and  a  link  to  West  Dallas  greenbelt  that  includes  the  Mercy  Street  Field  of  Dreams  and  
the   newly   renovated   Mattie   Nash   Recreational   Center,   bringing   tourist   dollars,   outside   investment   and  
economic  development  by  creating  an  outdoor  recreation  destination.  
Public  Infrastructure:    West  Dallas  is  approved  for  a  $100MM  bond  investment  from  the  City  of  Dallas  (2006).    
Funds  are  earmarked  for  developing  bridges,  roadway  improvements  and  parks  and  recreational  facilities.    U.S.  
Interstate  Highway  30  forms  the  southern  border  of  West  Dallas  and  Loop  12  is  its  western  boundary;  however,  
development   along   these   two   major   road   corridors   is   limited   with   the   exception   of   the   Pinnacle   Park  
development  in  Oak  Cliff  and  West  Dallas  along  both  sides  of  I-­‐30.    Two  other  major  road  arteries  connect  West  
Dallas  with  the   rest  of  the  city  across  the  river  and  with  other  destinations  to  the  West.    They  are  sources  of  
congestion   and   high   speed   traffic,   but   offer   little   in   the   way   of   retail   development   as   travelers   drive   through  
West  Dallas  on  their  way  to  work  or  home.        
The   Margaret   Hunt   Hill   Bridge   over   the   Trinity   River   will   connect   West   Dallas   to   Downtown   via   the   Woodall  
Rodgers   Freeway.     Construction   is   scheduled   to   be   completed   in   2011,   after   which   the   existing   Continental  
Street  Bridge  is  to  be  renovated  for  use  as  a  pedestrian  bridge.29    
Construction   of   a   second   nearby   bridge   over   the   Trinity,   the   Margaret   McDermott   Bridge   on   I-­‐30,   is   planned  
(part  of  the  bond  fund  package).      
Threat  of  Gentrification:    The  long-­‐term  impact  from  development  as  a  result  of  the  new  bridges  will  likely  be  
significant.    Assorted  investors  have  acquired  over  70  acres  of  land  near  the  two  bridges  for  future  development.  
The  threat  of  gentrification  looms  large,  both  in  reality  and  in  the  minds  of  community  residents.      The  edges  of  
West  Dallas  bordering  the  Trinity  River  are  poised  for  rapid  and  sweeping  transition.    Investor  and  community  
response  to  the  coming  of  the  Margaret  Hunt  Hill  Bridge,  in  conjunction  with  millions  of  dollars  in  infrastructure  
improvements  and  the  work  of  the  Trinity  Trust,  may  soon  transform  the  area.      
West   Dallas   will   transition   from   a   group   of   sleepy   neighborhoods   surrounded  by   one   of   the   largest   American  
metropolitan  areas  to  either  a  vibrant  community  of  contrasts  -­‐  blue  collar  workers  living  alongside  doctors  and  
lawyers,  and  small  tire  stores  sharing  street  frontage  with  new  upscale  restaurants  -­‐  or  one  where  families  who  
have  called  it  home  for  over  100  years  will  slowly  but  surely  be  pushed  out.    
When  development  lending  opens  up  again,  high-­‐rise  condos  almost  certainly  will  begin  to  line  the  river  while  a  
few  blocks  in,  families  will  continue  to  raise  children  in  800-­‐square-­‐foot  wooden  houses  on  modest  urban  lots.    
Experience  in  other  cities  has  shown  that,  without  concerted  effort  to  resist  gentrification  and  maintain  a  mixed  
economy,   disparities   between   two   such   different   groups   of   homeowners   can   become   extreme   and   relations  
volatile.    Although  the  beginnings  of  a  recovery  are  underway,  the  effects  of  years  of  disinvestment  and  decay  
are  far  from  corrected.    It  is  particularly  challenging  to  consider  how  to  bring  about  necessary  improvements  to  
the   quality   of   life   for   everyone   in   West   Dallas   while   managing   the   growth   and   development   that   is   certainly  
coming.    
Developers  are  further  challenged  by  the  tremendous  economic  inequities  found  in  West  Dallas,  and  the  bright  
light  that  development  shines  on  the  fact  that  so  many  West  Dallas  residents  live  with  far  fewer  economic  and  
physical  resources  than  many  Dallas  residents  in  other  communities.  
                                                                                                                     
16
 Claritas  MarketPlace  Pop-­‐Facts:  Demographic  Snapshot  2010  Report.      
17
 J.  McDonald  Williams  Institute,  Research  Compilation  West  Dallas  (Zip  Code  75212),  December  2006,  p.  7.  
18
 2010  District  Accountability  Summary,  http://www.dallasisd.org/inside_disd/depts/evalacct/data/aeis.htm,  item  #1C  under  
2009-­‐10  Annual  Educational  Performance  Reporting.      
19
 See  annual  accountability  ratings  summaries  at  http://www.dallasisd.org/inside_disd/depts/evalacct/data/aeis.htm.    
20
 See  AEIS  Glossary,  http://www.dallasisd.org/inside_disd/depts/evalacct/data/aeis.htm,  under  SAT/ACT  Results.  
21
 Despite   the  addition  of  the   writing  portion  of  the  SAT,  the   criterion  score  continues  to  be   based  on  mathematics  and  critical  
reading  only.    Id.  
22
 Children  At  Risk  April  2011  rankings,   http://childrenatrisk.org/research/school-­‐rankings/.    Statewide  ranking  is  from  2010  and  
will  be  updated  in  late  April  2011.  
23
 WĞƌƐŽŶĂůĐŽŵŵƵŶŝĐĂƚŝŽŶĨƌŽŵ'ĂďĞW͘ůůĞŶůĞŵĞŶƚĂƌLJWƌŝŶĐŝƉĂůŽŶŶŝĞ,ŽǀƐĞƚŚ͘^ĞĞĂůƐŽ͞^ƚƵĚĞŶƚƐ͛ǀŽĐĂďƵůĂƌŝĞƐƐŚŽǁŶƚŝĞĚ
ƚŽ ŝŶĐŽŵĞƐ͟ ďLJ ŝůĞĞŶ &ŝƚnj'ĞƌĂůĚ͕ dŚĞ EĞǁƐ-­‐Times,   February   11,   2002,   accessed   on   the   National   Urban   Alliance   website,  
http://www.nuatc.org/articles/pdf/newstimes11feb02.pdf.    
24
 Sum  of  occupied  households  in  American  Community  Survey  census  tract  data  in  Table  3  is  about  7,400.    MaLJŽƌ͛Ɛ^ŽƵƚŚĞƌŶ
Dallas  Task  Force,  Dallas  Office  of  Economic  Development,  Area  #7  fact  sheet,  citing  2007  data,  says  6,628,  
http://www.southerndallas.org/documents/factsheets/7_West%20Dallas.pdf.    Claritas  2010  estimate  is  6,300.  
25
 Area  #7  fact  sheet  
26
 Personal  communication  April  1,  2011  from  Jane  Massey,  PhD,  Associate  Director  of  Research  and  Evaluation,  citing  2010  data  
from  Dallas  County  Appraisal  District  for  census  tracts  101.01,  101.02,  and  102.  
27
 Personal  communication  March  30,  2011  from  Joleen  Bagwell,  Director  of  Development  and  Marketing  for  Los  Barrios  Unidos  
Community  Clinic,  citing  Texas  Department  of  State  Health  Services  data  for  2006/2007.  
28
 Area  #7  fact  sheet  
29
 The  Trinity  Trust  website,  http://www.discoverthetrinity.org/facts  

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