DFW Pride

New study says Dallasites love where they live, but please hold the cliches

Residents of Dallas-Fort Worth are pretty darn happy to be so, says a new study commissioned by Charles Schwab and carried out by Koski Research.

One thousand people, aged 21-75 and living in counties all over DFW, were polled on their satisfaction with the local economy and how they think it affects their finances and personal goals. They were also asked what they're the most proud of, and what they wish outsiders would know about living here.

The results show that those who call DFW home are not only stoked that many big companies are moving to the area, but that DFW's lesser-praised attributes are a key factor in their happiness, as well.

How happy are we? A whopping 96 percent believe that DFW is in as good or better shape than the rest of the U.S. economy. Another 95 percent believe the economy here will continue to grow at the same rate or faster than the anywhere else. And 88 percent of residents think that the influx of corporate campuses and headquarters is having a positive impact overall.

We're also twice as confident that we will achieve our financial goals as we are that the Dallas Cowboys will win a Super Bowl within the next five years. Seriously.

If only it weren't for the silly cliches. We suspect that outsiders see us only for country music and cowboys (79 percent), big oil (76 percent), rodeos and ranches (74 percent) and big blonde hair (66 percent). But we'll take the stereotype when it comes to our sports and food — Tex-Mex and barbecue especially — of which we are justifiably proud.

We would much rather get recognized for our amazing theater, opera and museums (75 percent), the area's booming tech scene (65 percent) and our increased use of green energy (51 percent).

Overall, when asked to grade DFW on a range of characteristics, residents gave the following high marks (an "A" or "B" rating): a place for young professionals and entrepreneurs and where career ambitions can be achieved; a place that welcomes innovation and diversity; a place to raise a family and where a child can receive a good education; and a place for the middle class. Now about that Super Bowl.

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E-Cigarette News

Dallas City Council places restrictions on vaping in public

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Man vaping

Vaping will now be banned exactly like smoking, thanks to a new ordinance from the Dallas City Council.

At their December 11 meeting, the council passed an ordinance to ban vaping in all the same areas where smoking is not allowed. It'll go into effect on December 11, 2025 — giving everyone a year to get into compliance.

Proposed by City of Dallas Environmental Commission (EVC) and the Office of Environmental Quality and Sustainability (OEQS), the ordinance amends the definition of “smoking” in the Dallas City Code to include the use of vaping devices.

The ordinance does not ban vaping — it only bans where you can vape: no vaping in all indoor and enclosed spaces; within 15 feet of building entrances; and on park property. The ordinance also bans marijuana smoking in those same places.

In addition, the amendment requires restaurants, hotels, fitness centers and other businesses to update their signage to clearly state that both smoking and electronic smoking devices are prohibited.

The ordinance already earned widespread support from health organizations such as the Dallas County Health and Human Services, the American Lung Association, and the American Heart Association. These organizations, along with the World Health Organization, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the U.S. Surgeon General, have all raised concerns about the health risks of direct and second-hand exposure to vaping aerosols, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children and older adults.

Dallas is not the first city to impose such a ban: San Antonio enacted a similar ban in October. Theirs goes into effect on January 1, 2025.

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