Collin County

Collin County Offices

Collin County Town List

Collin County, Texas, is named after Collin McKinney. It was established in 1846. Collin is home to famous Texans, including Sam Houston, James Bowie, John C. Hays, William B. Travis, and Davy Crockett. The county seat of the county is McKinney, while the largest city is Plano. In this county, you can do plenty of things including visiting tourist attractions, learning and even working. 

Let’s dive into the details you need to know about Collin County, Texas. 

History of Collin County, Texas 

The county dates back to 1846 when it was created from part of Dallas County. It was named for Collin McKinney, who served as a delegate to the first state constitutional convention held at Washington-on-the-Brazos in October 1845. He also represented his district in Congress during that time. His son, Robert M. McKinney, became the second governor of Texas. 

Early settlers were mostly German immigrants. They arrived here because they wanted to be close to their homeland but eventually moved on due to a lack of resources or other reasons. Some of them settled in nearby counties like Denton County, which borders the north side of Collin County.  

There are some townships within the county, such as Eastland Township, Westmoreland Township, North Oak Cliff Township, South Oak Cliff Township, and Westover Hills Township. These areas have been developed over the years with new housing developments. 

Initially, farming was the primary source of income for most people living here. However, there has been more development since then. Today, agriculture remains important, although manufacturing services now play larger roles than before. 

Today, Collin County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Texas. This growth comes mainly from the suburbs surrounding the cities of Fort Worth and Dallas. Many residents commute daily to these two major cities where jobs are available. 

Population and Land Area 

In 1850, Collin County had a population of 5,890 people, which increased to 7,907 in 1860. By 1870, its population grew to 11,764. This number has continued to mushroom, and as per the census estimates, the county has 1,034,730. It is among the densely populated counties. 

Women account for 50.8% of the population, while men make up 49.2%. There are 390,216 housing units with 65% owned by individuals. The median value for owner housing is $315,300.  

The land size is around 841.23 square miles, with most land being ranches or farms. There are 930 people per square mile. 

Geography and Climate 

There are two major rivers in Collin County: Trinity River and Guadalupe River. Both of these rivers have their origin in west-central Texas. They flow through North Central Texas before they merge near Waco. These rivers provide water resources for agriculture and industry 

The average temperature in January is 0°F and 85°F. July’s average temperature is 90°F, while August averages 93°F. The average precipitation is 39 inches annually. Winter months see an increase in rainfall.  

Summer sees less rain but higher temperatures. Because of this climate, many plants grow well in Collin County, including cotton, peaches, apples, pears, grapes, strawberries, tobacco, and rice. 

Most of the county lies between 32°N latitude and 35°N longitude. Its northern border runs along the Brazos River. To the south, it extends into the western edge of Tarrant County. In addition, it shares boundaries with both Wise and Parker Counties.  

The eastern boundary follows Interstate 30. On the east side of I-30, it continues towards Rockwall County.  

To the northwest, it touches outlying portions of Kaufman County. A small portion of the southern border goes into Ellis County. 

Towns and Cities 

Collin County has over twenty towns. Here are a few major towns. 

McKinney– This town is located just outside the city limits of Plano. McKinney is home to the University of Texas at Austin campus. It also houses several colleges and universities. 

Plano – This is the largest city in the county. It is known for having the highest concentration of high-tech companies in the country. Besides, it is the home of AT&T.  

Allen– Allen is a suburb of Dallas that borders Denton on the north. It is home to the University Of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. 

Princeton– Princeton is another suburban community within the city of Frisco. It was founded in 1891. It is named after John C. Calhoun’s hometown. 

Melissa– Melissa is a small town about 20 minutes away from downtown Dallas. It was established in 1902.  

Murphy– Murphy is a rural community that sits next to Lake Ray Hubbard. It was first settled around 1750. 

Lavon– Lavon is a small town in Eastland County. It was originally called “New Hope” because settlers believed it would be prosperous once the railroad came through. However, the name changed when residents realized the train did not stop there. 

Collin County Offices 

County Offices help citizens by providing services such as law enforcement, the court system, health care, and public work. Below you will find information regarding each office. 

The County Judge’s office is in charge of all court cases and civil matters. He oversees the district courts, criminal courts, juvenile courts, and probate courts. Honorable Chris Hill is the current judge. Call the office at (972) 424-1460. 

The County Clerk’s office is under honorable Stacey Kemp. If you need any record, contact the office at (972) 548-4185 / (972) 547-5731. 

Kenneth L. Maun services tax Assessor-Collector office. Contact him at (972) 547-5020 / (972) 547-5040.  

The Sheriff’s office is under Jim Skinner. If you have security concerns, call (972) 547-5100 / (972) 547-5191. 

The County Auditor is Linda Riggs. Call the office at (972) 548-4643 / (972) 548-4696. 

The Elections Administrator’s office is under Bruce Sherbet. If you have concerns about elections and registrations, call (972) 547-1910 / (972) 547-1914.   

Conclusion 

Finally, Collin county is one of the most populated counties in Texas. There are many people living here. From farmers to business owners, this place offers something for everyone. Additionally, the weather is great all year round.   

If you’re planning to move to Collin county, then we hope this information will help you with your decision-making process.