BlockBefore

Denison, Texas

13 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1901 and the latest in 1985. It stands in the East Grayson census division. It lies in ZIP code area 75020. The Survey maps it on the Denison Dam quadrangle. 24,479 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 728 feet above sea level.

Denison within Grayson County

On record in Denison

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 4 records

Population over time

4 figures

Denison grew from 3,975 to 24,479 between 1880 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
18803,975
200022,773
201022,682-91 (-0%)
202024,479+1,797 (+8%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

6 surveys from 13 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

What the histories say of this town

5,873 words

1 chapter about Denison from the published histories of the county, public domain and reproduced complete.

ChapterFrom Length
Souvenir of Denison "the Gate City of Texas" ..Souvenir of Denison "the Gate City of Texas" .. (1887)5,873 words

Fires near this place

144 since 2005

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 144 fires within 5 miles of Denison between 2005 and 2019, burning about 347 acres in total. 3 started naturally. 1 was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined68
Debris and open burning45
Equipment and vehicle use13
Power generation/transmission/distribution6
Misuse of fire by a minor4
Natural3
Smoking3
Recreation and ceremony1
Arson/incendiarism1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
9 September 2011Power generation/transmission/distributionunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Service91
9 September 2011Power generation/transmission/distributionunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceHIGHLAND PARK
9 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceSH 91
8 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceFM 691
8 September 2011Arson/incendiarism20 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceAURTHUR
4 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceU.S.75
28 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceMORTON
26 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest ServiceSEQUOIA

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Grayson County

Storms near this place

60 of 86 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Denison in 86 storm reports between 1994 and 2026: 33 thunderstorm wind, 33 hail, 12 flash flood, 4 lightning. The reports record 4 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
August 2009Thunderstorm WindDenison1 hurt, $30,000A man was injured on the 1600 block of West Bond when a large tree fell through his home. He suffered minor cuts and bruises.
October 2014LightningDenison1 hurtThe Grayson County Emergency Manager reported a teacher at Lamar Elementary school was struck by lightning while walking to her car.
October 2014LightningDenison1 hurtLightning struck and injured a teacher about 15 minutes after school ended on Thursday.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindDenison1 hurtA 70 year old woman was in critical condition after being struck in the head by a tree limb. The limb was blown down by high winds at a Denison Dam campground.
June 2007Flash FloodDenison$320,000Highway 69 east of Denison was flooded and closed, as was Highway 75 north of town. A few homes in Denison were flooded. Several bridges were washed out in Sherman including bridges on Mayes Road and Ida Road. An automotive shop in Denison had water damage to computers, furniture, and cars and expected damages to total around $250,000.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindDenison$150,000A 65 MPH wind gust was measured in northern Denison. Throughout the city, numerous trees were uprooted, large limbs were knocked down, damage occurred to outbuildings, and minor damage to local businesses was reported. The awning of a gas station at Highway 75 and FM 120 was torn off.
April 2024LightningDenison$100,000Emergency management reported a tank battery fire caused by a lightning strike near the intersection of FM 1417 and Davy Ln in Denison.
September 2023Flash FloodDenison$100,000Heavy rainfall in Denison caused water to flow into businesses in the downtown area. Multiple low-lying and poor drainage portions of roads were also closed in the area.
August 2009Thunderstorm WindDenison$75,000Trees fell onto many homes in Denison, a parked truck and boat, and onto two carports.
March 2023FloodDenison$50,000Randell Lake Dr was washed out due to heavy rainfall that caused the creek to rise.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindDenison$50,000A storage shed was destroyed when a tree was blown down on it, and a mobile home was destroyed when it was blown into another mobile home. There were numerous reports of trees blocking roads and streets.
April 2016HailDenison$25,000Amateur radio spotters reported golf ball sized hail in the city of Denison.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindDenison$25,000Thunderstorm winds knocked down trees and tree limbs in Denison. The steeple of the New Hope Christian Fellowship Church on South Mirick Avenue was blown off the roof. A tree at the church fell on the mail truck and telephone poles were snapped in the city.
April 2008Thunderstorm WindDenison$20,000A brick building which was under construction partially collapsed in Denison.
March 2006LightningDenison$20,000Lightning struck a radio antenna and ignited a fire in the attic of a Red Cross Building. Damage was mostly confined to the attic, where the fire destroyed wiring and electricity, as well as the roof of the building. Smoke and water damage also occurred inside the building.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindDenison$20,000Strong winds destroyed an outdoor stage that was being used for a concert just a short time earlier.
May 2011Thunderstorm WindDenison$15,000The 95-foot steeple of the Parkside Baptist Church was knocked over due to high winds. Other parts of the roof were also damaged.
February 2001Thunderstorm WindDenison$15,000The roof of a medical center was damaged. Two nursing homes were also damaged. The reports came from the north part of town.
March 2006Thunderstorm WindDenison$10,000Power lines down.
June 2001Thunderstorm WindDenison$10,000Trees and power lines were blown down. The roof of a liquor store was partially destroyed.
April 1995Thunderstorm WindDenison$10,000A storage building was destroyed by high winds.
June 2019Thunderstorm WindDenison$8,000Emergency Management reported tree damage, light pole damage and window damage near Crawford and Armstrong Streets in the city of Denison, TX.
May 2015Thunderstorm WindDenison$8,000Broadcast media reported roof and siding damage to homes and tree limbs down. One large tree limb fell on a home on Strawn Drive damaging the roof overhang over the garage and the garage door.
May 2025Thunderstorm WindDenison$7,000Many Facebook reports relayed numerous trees down across Denison with widespread power outages.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindDenison$7,000A large tree fell on a house in Denison. High winds also knocked down power lines.
April 2016Thunderstorm WindDenison$6,000Thunderstorm winds damaged part of Denison High School and the school had to be closed the next day.
April 2015Flash FloodDenison$5,000A trained spotter reported 14-18 of water over the intersection of Morton Street at Maurice Ave in Denison.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindDenison$5,000Utility poles were blown down by high winds.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindDenison$5,000A metal awning was blown off a service station, and many streets were blocked from downed trees and limbs.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindDenison$3,000An estimated 60 mph wind gust was reported in Denison.
June 2005Thunderstorm WindDenison$3,000Power lines knocked down...relayed by broadcast media.
August 2002Thunderstorm WindDenison$3,000Large trees were blown down by high winds.
June 2015Flash FloodDenison$2,000Several non-typical roadways were flooded in Denison including: 691 and Texoma Pkwy and Spur 503 and 91. Multiple roads in eastern portions of the county were flooded as well.
June 2004Thunderstorm WindDenison$2,000Power lines were blown down by high winds.
April 1996Tornado (F0)Denison$2,000no account filed
February 2012HailDenison$1,000Quarter sized hail was reported by amateur radio to be covering the ground 3 miles east of Denison.
February 2012HailDenison$1,000A trained spotter reported quarter sized hail covering the ground 3 miles southwest of Denison making travel difficult. Hail fog was also occurring.
October 1994Thunderstorm WindDenison$500Trees were blown down and two windows of an auto dealership were broken.
April 2026HailDenison-Emergency manager reported quarter sized hail 1 mile northwest of Downtown Denison.
April 2026HailDenison-Emergency manager reported quarter sized hail near Hwy 69 covering 5 percent of the ground.
March 2025HailDenison-Emergency manger reported quarter sized hail just southwest of Denison.
May 2025HailDenison-Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
May 2025HailDenison-Report from mPING: Quarter (1.00 in.).
June 2025HailDenison-Report from mPING: Half Dollar (1.25 in.).
May 2024Flash FloodDenison-Emergency management reported that several city streets in Denison were closed due to flooding.
April 2024HailDenison-Report from MPing.
November 2022HailDenison-A trained spotter reported brief quarter sized hail about 3 miles northwest of Denison, TX.
July 2020Thunderstorm WindDenison-A large tree was reported to be down in the road. Multiple trees were also reported to be down in West Denison.
September 2019FloodDenison-Emergency management reported 4 to 6 inches of water on U.S. Highway 69 near the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 in the northern part of the city of Sherman, TX.
September 2019FloodDenison-Emergency management reported that U.S. Highway 69 was being closed near the intersection of U.S. Highway 75 in the northern part of the city of Sherman, TX.
April 2018HailDenison-Amateur radio reported quarter sized hail at Eisenhower State Part, approximately 3 miles northwest of the city of Denison, TX.
April 2018HailDenison-Amateur radio reported quarter-sized hail at Denison Dam.
April 2018HailDenison-Emergency management reported half-dollar sized hail at Eisenhower State Park, or about 3 miles northwest of the city of Denison, TX.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindDenison-A social media report indicated wind gusts of 60 MPH in Denison, TX.
May 2015Flash FloodDenison-Broadcast media reported that Pottsboro Road in Denison, TX was completely covered with water, and water was approaching a residential structure.
June 2012HailDenison-Dime sized hail was reported in Denison.
February 2012HailDenison-One inch diameter hail was reported by emergency management in Denison.
August 2012Thunderstorm WindDenison-A 60 mph wind gust was estimated in Denison.
August 2012Thunderstorm WindDenison-Sixty-two MPH winds were estimated near Downtown Denison. Large tree limbs were knocked down in the city; including Morgan Street.
May 2010HailDenison-Pea to nickel size hail fell in the city of Denison.

Every storm recorded in Grayson County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Mills1.9 miles12
Joe3.0 miles13
Warner Junction3.2 miles13
Frontier Village3.3 miles12
Red River City3.3 miles13
Twin City4.0 miles12
Woodlake Park4.0 miles12
Ray4.2 miles13

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on DenisonAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q534669The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1379652. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.