A recent video shared by a U.S. influencer has sparked conversation by declaring Dallas, Texas, as the most "Indian place in America". The video highlights a variety of Indian restaurants and grocery stores in an unnamed area of Dallas, showcasing the vibrant presence of Indian culture in the city.
The Dallas–Fort Worth (DFW) area boasts one of the largest Indian American populations in the United States, with over 235,000 individuals, making up roughly 3% of the metro area's total population. The Indian community in Dallas-Fort Worth initially consisted of doctors, engineers, and other skilled professionals in the medical field. Over time, it has grown to include information-technology experts, educators, students, and professors. The Indian population in the DFW area more than doubled between 2000 and 2010, and areas like Frisco and Allen have seen a recent increase in Indian residents. Asian Indians comprise the majority of the population in many subdivisions in Frisco.
The history of Indian immigration to Dallas-Fort Worth dates back to the early 20th century. Despite restrictive immigration laws, some skilled farmers from North India arrived seeking agricultural work. By 1930, there were approximately 49 Indians residing in Texas, many of whom lived in Dallas. After the Immigration Act of 1965, which eliminated the quota system based on national origin, a significant wave of Indian immigration to Dallas occurred.
The Indian-American CEO Council and the University of Texas at Dallas's Institute for Urban Policy Research conducted a study that found Indian-Americans in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have the highest percentage of residents with a four-year college degree or a graduate degree. In 2020, immigrants from India accounted for 6% of new arrivals in the United States, ranking behind Mexico, Vietnam, the Dominican Republic, and China. In 2019, 2,050 people from India gained lawful permanent resident status in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, representing 6% of the area's lawful permanent resident approvals and 4% of the total number of people of Indian descent who were granted this status in the United States.
Indian-Americans have significantly impacted the Dallas economy as both consumers and producers. In Collin, Denton, Dallas, and Tarrant counties, Indian-Americans owned 5.3% of all businesses in 2012, accounting for over a third of all Asian American-owned businesses. The combined sales receipts of these businesses exceeded $10 billion, representing 2.27% of all business receipts and 43% of all Asian-owned business receipts.
The rise of the Indian population has also led to increased cultural visibility, with cities like Frisco holding Diwali and Holi celebrations. The Karya Siddhi Hanuman Temple in Frisco features Texas's largest prayer hall for Hinduism.
While the influencer's statement may be subjective, the data suggests that Dallas-Fort Worth is home to a significant and thriving Indian American community that contributes significantly to the area's cultural and economic landscape.
