# Watauga, Texas

Watauga (/wɒˈtɔːɡə/) is a city in Tarrant County, Texas, United States, and a suburb of Fort Worth. The population was 23,650 at the 2020 census. The city's businesses and retail markets are generally located on Highway 377.

## History

The first settlers came to Tarrant County in 1843. The Texas and Pacific Railway came through present-day Watauga in 1881, which spurred a settlement of large farms and ranches. The settlement took its name from the pre-Revolutionary War Watauga Association settlement that was located in the northeastern section of East Tennessee, in areas surrounding the Sycamore Shoals of the Watauga River, near present-day Elizabethton, Tennessee.
Watauga received a railroad station and a post office in 1883. The population was 65 in the mid-1930s and 1940s, when the railroad station had closed. The population then grew due to defense plants to over 1000 in the 1960s. The population continued to grow to 7,050 in 1976, and 20,000 in 1990.

## Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.2 square miles (10.8 km$^2$), all land.
The city is entirely surrounded by the cities of Keller to the north, Fort Worth to the west, Haltom City to the southwest and North Richland Hills to the south and east. Almost all of the city's land area is located east of US 377, though a portion extends west of that highway and includes homes and some city offices.

## Demographics

Watauga racial composition as of 2020 (NH = Non-Hispanic) :
| Race | Number | Percentage |
| White (NH) | 13,316 | 56.3% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 1,461 | 6.18% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 103 | 0.44% |
| Asian (NH) | 1,461 | 6.18% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 108 | 0.46% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 119 | 0.5% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 1,103 | 4.66% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 5,979 | 25.28% |
| Total | 23,650 | |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 23,650 people, 7,827 households, and 6,100 families residing in the city.

## Economy
### Top employers

According to Watauga's 2022 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
| 1 | Birdville ISD | 243 |
| 2 | Target | 200 |
| 3 | City of Watauga | 208 |
| 4 | North Pointe Health & Rehab | 89 |
| 5 | Albertson's | 85 |
| 6 | Keller ISD | 68 |
| 7 | Cotton Patch Cafe | 65 |
| 8 | Fresco's | 40 |
| 9 | Chili's | 30 |
| 10 | Fitness Now | 30 |

## Arts and culture

Capp Smith Park, Watauga Pavilion and Watauga Public Library are located in Watauga.

## Government

Watauga is a full-service city, providing police, fire and emergency services, parks and recreation, a library, building inspection, economic development, city planning, and public works. The city operates under a Mayor-Council-Manager form of government. According to the city's 2013-2014 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city's various funds had $25.5 million in revenues, $23.3 million in expenditures, $102.8 million in total assets, $32.8 million in total liabilities, and $27.5 million in cash and investments.

## Education

Watauga is served by two independent school districts. Birdville serves a majority of the city, while Keller serves the northwestern portion.

## Infrastructure

* U.S. Route 377