Dallas Center got its start in the year 1869, following construction of the railroad through the territory. It was named for Vice President George M. Dallas. Dallas Center was incorporated on March 22, 1880.
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,623 people, 630 households, and 434 families residing in the city. The population density was. There were 669 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.7% of the population. There were 630 households, of which 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.8% were married couplesliving together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age in the city was 40.1 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.9% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 1,595 people, 591 households, and 433 families residing in the city. The population density was 361.0 people per square mile. There were 616 housing units at an average density of 139.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 98.50% White, 0.31% African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 0.69% from other races, and 0.19% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.63% of the population. There were 591 households, out of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.8% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.6% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.07. In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.1% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males. The median income for a household in the city was $52,883, and the median income for a family was $56,250. Males had a median income of $34,583 versus $26,055 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,038. About 2.9% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
Parks and recreation
The city has two large parks located at each end of the city. Mound park, located on the west, includes sand volleyball courts, a gazebo, shelters, tennis court, playground equipment, and a rollerskating rink which is operational during the summer months. Memorial Park, on the east, contains playground equipment, lots of open space for flying kites, letting dogs run, a 9-hole disc golf course, and a basketball area. During the summer, the Lena Moser Memorial Swimming Pool is open daily. In 2009, the paved north loop of the Raccoon River Valley Trail added Dallas Center, Minburn, Perry, Dawson and Jamaica as new trailheads. The original Raccoon River Valley Trail, now known as the south loop, is a paved multi-use recreational trail which reaches from the Clive Greenbelt Trail to Jefferson, and passes through Clive, Urbandale, Waukee, Adel, Redfield, Linden, Panora, Yale, Herndon, and Cooper. The RRVT is nearly of paved trails with a paved interior loop of more than. The shaded trailhead in Dallas Center is at 14th and Walnut and has seasonal restroom facilities, a water fountain, bicycle racks, several benches, and a picnic table.
Government
The mayor is Michael Kidd. Members of the city council are Ryan Kluss, Ryan Coon, Danny Beyer, David Bagby, and Curtis Pion.
Education
The city of Dallas Center is joined with the city of Grimes to make the school district of Dallas Center-Grimes Community School District. The district consists of a high school and a junior high called Meadows located just outside Grimes, a middle school in Dallas Center, the Dallas Center Elementary School in Dallas Center, and the South Prairie Elementary and North Ridge Elementary in Grimes. The school mascots are the Mustangs and Fillies and their colors are red and white.
