Collin County vs. Terrell County
Growth Meets Grit
This spotlight captures Texas in two very different tempos: the booming suburbs of Collin County, one of America’s fastest-growing regions, and the rugged frontier of Terrell County, a sparsely populated expanse of desert, canyons, and ranchland. Collin County’s 1.2 million residents balance prosperity with pressure: managing housing demand, traffic, and growth. Terrell County, with fewer than 1,000 residents across 2,300 square miles, fights to preserve their community in one of the state’s most remote regions. One grows upward; the other stretches outward. Yet both share Texas’ defining strength: resilience, pride, and a fierce sense of belonging. Together they show that progress in Texas doesn’t just happen in cities: it starts with people who care about their neighbors.
Collin County (approx. 1.2 million)
Northeast of Dallas, Collin County thrives on technology, business, and education. It’s home to major employers, top-ranked schools, and growing downtowns like McKinney and Plano. Challenges include transportation infrastructure, affordable housing, and preserving green space amid explosive suburban development.
Terrell County (Approx. 900)
Stretching across the Big Bend region, Terrell County’s economy is rooted in ranching, oil, and tourism along the Pecos River. Its challenges include population decline, limited healthcare, and maintaining basic infrastructure across vast distances.
Why It Matters
Collin County debates focus on managing growth while maintaining quality of life. Terrell County debates focus on keeping small communities alive as young families move away. Both represent the ongoing question for Texas: how do we grow without leaving anyone behind?
Why Forward
Forward believes that the future of Texas depends on empowering both innovation and independence.
In Collin County, open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting would encourage leaders to focus on housing, transit, and education - not partisan posturing. Fair maps would ensure representation reflects the full diversity of the county’s fast-changing population.
In Terrell County, those same reforms would help rural residents choose leaders who actually listen to their needs: water access, healthcare, and broadband; rather than being forgotten in statewide politics. Ranked Choice Voting would let smaller communities unite behind consensus candidates who can bring rural issues to the state’s attention.
Forward’s philosophy: local control, fair competition, and collaboration over conflict; is the same whether you’re managing growth or fighting for survival. Texans deserve systems that empower solutions, not divisions.
Did You Know…
Collin County’s population has more than doubled since 2000, making it one of the fastest-growing counties in the U.S.
Terrell County’s Pecos River Canyon offers some of the most stunning desert scenery in Texas and is home to ancient rock art dating back thousands of years.
Why Texans Love Living Here
Collin County residents love its thriving schools, safe communities, and growing sense of innovation; where suburban life still feels like a hometown. Terrell County residents love its quiet solitude, open skies, and the strength that comes from living where everyone depends on each other. Both embody what it means to be Texan: community, courage, and commitment.
Key Events That Bring Neighbors Together
Plano Balloon Festival — a beloved Collin County tradition with hot-air balloons, concerts, and community fun every September.
The Horsehead Crossing Celebration — a celebration of the history and stories about the famous Horsehead Crossing on the Pecos River, where the real Lonesome Dove happened.
People & Tech Created This
The profiles and shared challenges were gathered from Texas Forward Party supporters and written using ChatGPT and Gemini models to combine verified public data, official county/state sources, and general knowledge from Texas historical and government records, including, but not limited to:
