Office of Management and Budget , [ a ] is the most populous metropolitan statistical area in the U. Its historically dominant core cities are Dallas and Fort Worth. The DallasโFort Worthโ Arlington metropolitan statistical area's population was 7,, according to the U.
Census Bureau 's census , [ 6 ] making it the fourth-largest metropolitan area in the U. In , the DallasโFort Worth metroplex had the highest annual population growth in the United States. Census Bureau estimated that the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area's population had increased to 8,,, with the highest numerical growth of any metropolitan area in the United States.
The metropolitan region's economy, also referred to as Silicon Prairie, is primarily based on banking , commerce , insurance , telecommunications , technology , energy , healthcare , medical research , transportation , manufacturing , and logistics. In , the conurbated metropolitan area would rank the ninth-largest economy if it were a U. The DallasโFort Worth metroplex comprises the highest concentration of colleges and universities in Texas.
A portmanteau of metropolis and complex , the term metroplex is credited to Harve Chapman, an executive vice president with Dallas-based Tracy-Locke, one of three advertising agencies that worked with the North Texas Commission NTC on strategies to market the region.
In fact, only 38 percent of a survey group identified Dallas and Fort Worth as part of "North Texas", with the Texas Panhandle also a perceived correct answer, being the northernmost region of Texas. The United States Census Bureau determined the Metroplex encompasses 9, square miles 24, km 2 of total area; 8, sq mi 23, km 2 is land, and sq mi km 2 is covered by water. The conurbated metropolitan area is larger in area than the U. The U. The DallasโFort Worth metroplex overlooks mostly prairie land with a few rolling hills dotted by human-made lakes cut by streams, creeks and rivers surrounded by forested land.
