rockwall
COUNTY
HEATH
Population: 6,678
School District: Rockwall
City of Heath:
972-771-5733;
www.heathtx.com
Median Home Value: $343,430
Located on the eastern shores of Lake
Ray Hubbard in southern Rockwall
County and northern Kaufman County,
Heath offers great views of the Dallas
skyline and the benefits of being just
moments from the core of Dallas business,
cultural, entertainment and shopping
areas.
Settled with the 1845 arrival of John O.
Heath, Heath was an important crossing
point between Dallas and east Texas.
Historic Heath, which boasted cotton
gins, banks and stores, was destroyed
by fire in 1916, rebuilt, and incorporated
into a city in 1959. Heath benefits
from a long tradition of community
involvement and civic pride, including
such longstanding community events
as the Heart of Heath Fall Festival, the
Christmas Tree Lighting, the Independence
Day Parade and the Spring Fine Art
Show and Sale.
Residents – who are affectionately known
as Heathens – value the community’s rural
charm and hometown attitude. This most-
ly residential community has welcomed
the advent of low impact office, serv-
ice/retail and restaurant development
opportunities. City development princi-
ples include prudent growth strategies,
preservation goals, and a commitment to
protecting and enhancing property val-
ues. Heath boasts a manageable resi-
dential growth rate and the lowest tax
rate in the suburban metropolitan area.
Recreational amenities here include a
growing trail system, two municipal
parks (including one lakefront park), the
Rush Creek Yacht Club (home to
Olympic sailors), and an award-winning
golf course.
ROCKWALL
Population: 31,288
School District: Rockwall
Chamber of Commerce:
972-771-5733;
www.rockwallchamber.org
Median Home Value: $202, 160
Rockwall was founded in 1854 and is
the smallest county in Texas. Located
about 22 miles east of downtown Dallas
on Interstate 30, Rockwall has a population
of more than 31,000 and its residents
appreciate the city’s proximity to every-
thing that “Big D” has to offer, while also
preserving its rural atmosphere.
While trying to dig water wells in 1851,
settlers discovered an underground rock
wall. Because of its man-made appearance, it’s still a mystery how the wall
came to exist. Settlers believed it was a
man-made barrier to help define territory.
Geologists believe it’s the result of weather
sand dikes formed along the Balcones
Fault line. Whatever the case, it’s how the
city got its name.
In 1980, the population of Rockwall was
5,939. Today, the population has
reached over 29,000. The once rural
community is attracting families from
Dallas and beyond to this scenic, lakeside town. During the November 1995
election, the Rockwall voters approved
the adoption of a half-cent sales tax for
the promotion and development of new
