Ferris is a city in Dallas and Ellis counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is south of downtown Dallas. The population has risen dramatically from 2,788 in 2020 to 5,081 in 2024.
History
Settlement of the area began in the early 1870s. On September 28, 1874, a local family deeded approximately of land to four trustees for the establishment of a town and railway station. Judge Justus Wesley Ferris of Waxahachie handled the transaction, and the community was named for him. Within ten years, Ferris had a population of 300 with a post office, gristmills, cotton gins, four churches, and a school.
On September 18, 1882, an election was held to incorporate the community. A total of 47 votes were cast, 34 (72%) in favor of incorporation and 13 (28%) against.
Ferris thrived during the early post-war years. Four brick plants operated during the 1950s, and the community was known locally as the "Brick Capital of the Nation". In 1994, Ferris won the 3-A State Championship in men's basketball.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Most of the city lies within Ellis County, with only a small portion in Dallas County.
Climate
According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Ferris has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Ferris was on July 18/20, 2022, while the coldest temperature recorded was on December 22, 1989, and February 15–16, 2021.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Ferris had a population of 2,788, 968 households, and 803 families residing in the city. The median age was 34.2 years, with 27.0% of residents under the age of 18 and 11.9% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 90.0 males age 18 and over.
91.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 8.3% lived in rural areas.
Of the 968 households, 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.2% were married-couple households, 16.0% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
! Race !! Number !! Percent
|-
| White || 1,219 || 43.7%
|-
| Black or African American || 479 || 17.2%
|-
| American Indian and Alaska Native || 47 || 1.7%
|-
| Asian || 12 || 0.4%
|-
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander || 1 || 0.0%
|-
| Some other race || 661 || 23.7%
|-
| Two or more races || 369 || 13.2%
|-
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) || 1,315 || 47.2%
|}
2010 census
In 2010, Ferris had a population of 2,436. The racial and ethnic composition of the population in 2010 was 42.7% non-Hispanic white, 17.5% non-Hispanic black, 1% Hispanic black, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 1.8% from two or more races and 38.4% Hispanic or Latino.
Education
Pupils in Ferris are served by the Ferris Independent School District.
Some areas in Dallas County not within the Ferris city limits but with Ferris addresses are served by the Dallas Independent School District. The areas were served by the Wilmer-Hutchins Independent School District until it closed during the 2005–2006 school year.
The designated community college for Ellis County is Navarro College. The designated community college for Dallas County is Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College District or DCCCD).
Transportation
Major highways
- 20px Interstate 45
Airport
Ferris is also served by the privately owned Dallas South Port Airport.
Heliport
Ferris Red Oak Muni Heliport is a city-owned public heliport in Ellis County, Texas, United States, serving the cities of Ferris and Red Oak. The heliport has no IATA or ICAO designation. The facility is alternatively known as the Ferris Red Oak Municipal Heliport.
The Ferris and Red Oak jointly own the heliport, although the listed owner address is in Ferris, and it is maintained by City of Ferris Public Works.