Van Alstyne, Texas

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,<ref name="Census 2010">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Grayson County portion of Van Alstyne is part of the Sherman–Denison Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Drawn by the economic promise of the Houston and Texas Central Railway,<ref name="Van Alstyne, Texas">Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="Van Alstyne, Texas" />

In May 2022, citizens passed a resolution establishing the first city charter, making Van Alstyne a Texas home rule city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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

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 Template:Convert to Denison and south Template:Convert 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 Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Census 2010"/>

Demographics

<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Van Alstyne racial composition as of 2020<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
(NH = Non-Hispanic)Template:Efn

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

Public schools

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Colleges

Grayson County College operates a branch campus in Van Alstyne.

Grayson College's south campus in Van Alstyne

Transportation

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

• Template:Jct Runs north-south, goes through Howe in the north and Anna in the south.
• Template:Jct Runs north-south, goes through Howe in the north and Anna in the south.
• FM 121 Runs east-west. To the west is Gunter and to the east is Pilot Grove.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

External links

• Template:Official website
• Van Alstyne Community Development Corporation
• City of Van Alstyne Demographics