Data Story
The City of Arlington, Texas is committed to making data-driven decisions that enhance the quality of life for its over 400,000 residents. Arlington is located between Dallas and Fort Worth, in north Texas. City staff heavily rely on the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) to gather critical information for grants, economic development projects, and city planning.

Since 2017, the Office of Strategic Initiatives (OSI) has produced the annual Arlington Socioeconomic Profile, a comprehensive report that highlights the city’s demographic, economic, and housing trends using the ACS 5-year data along with local GIS data. The Socioeconomic Profile serves as a citywide report, offering policymakers, city staff, and residents an overview of Arlington’s key demographic metrics.

In 2023, the OSI team expanded this initiative by launching the Socioeconomic Profile Dashboard . This tool transformed what was once static data into dynamic interactive visualizations and maps that are easily accessible and user-friendly. This dashboard not only enhances the existing data but also makes complex information more accessible by allowing users to explore smaller geographic areas within the city. For example, users can now view income levels across different census tracts instead of only having the information for the entire city. Since the initial launch, staff have also added a comparison tool that allows users to compare Arlington’s data with other cities in the Dallas-Fort Worth  area. Other cities have reached out to the City of Arlington for guidance on how to replicate this dashboard for their own city.

Outcome
The Socioeconomic Profile and dashboard are vital resources for the city to plan with data rather than assumptions or perceptions. These projects highlight how ACS data can be a powerful tool in improving community well-being and attracting businesses to Arlington.

For example, ACS data on income, housing costs, and race and ethnicity supported 56 housing grant applications in FY2025, as well as neighborhood outreach strategies. OSI uses these data to tailor engagement efforts to neighborhood demographics, adjusting communication strategies based on the age of the population and the languages spoken at home, such as Spanish and Vietnamese.

The data has also supported efforts to attract new business headquarters to Arlington by providing clear insights into the city's workforce, economic conditions, and quality of life. In particular, ACS data on household income, median income, educational attainment, industry of employment and commuting patterns are used by businesses to evaluate Arlington’s competitiveness.  These tools enable city leadership, and community organizations to make informed decisions, and provide valuable context that shapes Arlington’s growth. By using ACS data in a clear and interactive way, Arlington has set an example for making data both accessible and impactful.

Location
Arlington, Texas; Tarrant County, Texas

ACS Topics Used

Sex, age, place of birth, nativity, citizenship status, employment, poverty status, income, language spoken at home, educational attainment, commuting to work