Alvarado, Johnson County, United States

Currently 75° · Cloudy

Wed, Jul 9	93° 73°	Partly sunny and humid
Today	95° 74°	Sunshine and a few clouds
Friday	94° 73°	Breezy with plenty of sun
Saturday	93° 73°	Breezy in the morning; otherwise, humid with times of clouds and sun with a thunderstorm in one or two spots in the afternoon
Sunday	93° 73°	Humid with some sun, then turning cloudy; an afternoon thunderstorm in one or two spots
Monday	93° 73°	Sun through high clouds and humid
Tuesday	95° 74°	Abundant sunshine

Location & Motto
Alvarado sits in eastern Johnson County at the junction of US 67 and I‑35W, about 26 mi south of Fort Worth and 39 mi southwest of Dallas. It proudly brands itself as “The Crossroads of Johnson County”.

Size & Geography
The city spans 4.89 sq mi (12.68 km²), with about 15% water—primarily Alvarado Park Lake, a 437‑acre reservoir built in 1966 along Turkey Creek.

Historical Background

• Founded: Around 1854, by William Balch, who donated land for public use and helped develop the town’s early structure.

• Name Origin: Thought to be named after Alvarado, Veracruz, Mexico—possibly in honor of a battle in the Mexican–American War or a reflection of settler origins.

• Railway Development (1880s): The Gulf, Colorado and Santa Fe Railway passed through Alvarado, sparking economic growth.

• Incorporation: Officially incorporated as a city in 1885.

• Historic Fires & Rebuilding: Several fires in the early 1900s destroyed parts of the downtown area, which was later rebuilt in brick.

Population & Demographics

Population Growth

Year	Population
2000	3,288
2010	3,785
2020	4,739
2023 Est.	6,225
2025 Proj.	7,000+

A rapid growth trend is underway, especially due to suburban expansion from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex.

Ethnic Composition

• White (non-Hispanic): ~59%

• Hispanic or Latino: ~29%

• Black or African American: ~8%

• Other (Asian, multiracial): ~4%

Household Stats

• Median Age: 32.8 years (young and family-oriented)

• Average Household Size: 3.2 persons

• Owner-occupied housing rate: ~64%

Economy & Industry

Economic Indicators

• Median Household Income: ~$71,300 (above national average)

• Per Capita Income: ~$27,700

• Poverty Rate: Around 10%

• Unemployment Rate: Low (under 4%)

Key Sectors

• Manufacturing:

  • Sabre Tubular Structures plant provides hundreds of jobs in steel structure fabrication.

  • Nearby Louis Vuitton leather goods factory (in Johnson County) employs many locals.

• Oil and Gas:

  • Benefited from the Barnett Shale natural gas boom in the 2000s.

• Retail & Services: Expanding with population growth, including national chains and small businesses.

• Agriculture: Still plays a role—mainly livestock, hay, and small farming operations.

Housing & Development

• Median Home Price: ~$206,800 (affordable relative to nearby urban centers)

• New Construction: Rapid development of subdivisions, especially post-2020.

• Rental vs Ownership: ~36% renters, 64% homeowners

• Popular Neighborhoods:

  • Alvarado Meadows

  • Stonegate

  • Bluebird Meadows

Education

Alvarado Independent School District (AISD):

• Total Students: ~3,500

• Schools:

  • Alvarado High School

  • Alvarado Junior High

  • Multiple elementary campuses

• Programs: Athletics, music, vocational training, dual-credit college courses

• Student-Teacher Ratio: ~16:1

Nearby Higher Education:

• Hill College (Cleburne campus)

• Tarrant County College

• University of Texas at Arlington (UT Arlington)

Recreation & Community Life

Alvarado Park Lake

• Built in 1966 by damming Turkey Creek

• 437-acre lake used for:

  • Fishing (catfish, largemouth bass, crappie)

  • Boating & kayaking

  • Family picnics & camping

  • Wildlife photography

Community Activities:

• Annual Bluegrass Festival

• Local rodeo events, especially with cowboy churches

• Seasonal markets and outdoor movie nights

• Active civic organizations (Lions Club, Rotary, Historical Society)

Public Services & Safety

• Police Department: Modernized and responsive, part of community policing initiatives

• Fire Department: Established in 1903; combination of paid and volunteer staff

• Emergency Services: Shared dispatch with Johnson County, reliable response times

Infrastructure & Transportation

• Main Roads: I-35W, U.S. Highway 67

• Commuting: Average time ~29 minutes; many residents commute to Fort Worth, Burleson, or Cleburne

• Public Transit: Limited—most residents rely on personal vehicles

Local Government

• Structure: Council–Manager system

  • Mayor + 6 City Council Members

  • City Manager handles day-to-day operations

• Zoning & Planning: Active growth management to balance new housing with infrastructure

Future Outlook

• Continued suburban expansion from DFW Metroplex

• Growing retail, service, and light manufacturing sectors

• Infrastructure improvements including roadways and schools