“Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind?” That’s the question posed by country legend George Strait in a song with that quizzical title. Here’s my answer to that query: if Fort Worth hasn’t crossed your mind yet, it will.
I’m a proud unofficial ambassador of Fort Worth, my hometown. Everywhere I go, people are shocked to learn we’re the fastest growing large city in the country. Even describing Fort Worth as a “large city” raises eyebrows. In fact, Fort Worth is now the 11th largest city in the U.S., rapidly closing in on a population of one million. And to all my friends in Big D, fasten your seatbelts for this reveal: The U.S. Census Bureau projects that the population of Fort Worth will surpass Dallas by 2045. “That’s right, in 20 years, Dallas will become Fort Worth’s little brother.” (“2050: A Peek Into Our City’s Future,” Fort Worth, Texas Magazine, March 2025).
I’ve bragged unabashedly about Fort Worth in prior posts. (June 13, 2023 and December 17, 2024). My last hometown post described a three-day “Discover Fort Worth” event I planned for TIGER 21, an international group with over 1,600 peer-to-peer learners. Those attending still express dismay at the enlightening experience touring the F-35 production facility, Modern Art Museum, historic Stockyards, visiting with local rockstars like Mayor Mattie Parker and business legend John Goff, and dining at Joe T. Garcia’s.
I was recently humbled to be among the “500 Most Influential” recognized by Fort Worth Inc. Magazine (Summer 2025). There’s no shortage of champions singing the praises of this great city, and I’m honored to be among them.
I’m a Fort Worth local boy (as was John Denver, by the way), so I know it wasn’t always like this. It was once such a sleepy place that the legend has it there was a panther asleep on a downtown street (hence, the nickname “Panther City”). Over the years, Fort Worth has earned other nicknames: “Cowtown,” “Where the West Begins,” and now my favorite, “The Unexpected City.” Fort Worth is on a fast upward trajectory.
Here are a few surprise facts that make Fort Worth “unexpected:”
- Forbes ranks Fort Worth in the top five cities in the U.S. for entrepreneurs.
- WalletHub designates Fort Worth as the best large city in Texas to start a business.
- Fort Worth is considered the top city in Texas for higher education (hosting a presence here are TCU, Texas A&M, UTA, Texas Wesleyan, UNT, Tarrant County College, and Tarleton State).
- Taylor Sheridan and other stars are making Fort Worth the “Hollywood of Texas,” as the film industry has fallen in love with our city. As Fort Worth City Council member Macy Hill said recently, “It’s pretty cool to see Taylor Sheridan and Nicole Kidman walking around downtown Fort Worth.”
- Fort Worth is a hub for the aerospace, energy, and tech industries.
- Best of all, with all this well-managed growth, Fort Worth is preserving our rich cowboy culture with attractions like the Stockyards, Billy Bob’s, Stock Show and Rodeo, and the herd of cattle that still walks down twice a day, making the Exchange Avenue area the 15th most visited destination in America.
From my way of thinking, there’s no better place to call home than Fort Worth. We’re one of the few large cities embracing “Blue Zone” values for health and fitness, as well as the benefits of faith, family, and social connection. For years, Fort Worth tried to stay low profile and let our neighbor to the east enjoy the spotlight. Those days are over. The secret is out, and I suppose that’s partly my fault. Come see us!
Marvin Blum and wife Laurie, honored to be among the “Fort Worth 500.”
