BlockBefore

Rockwall, Texas

16 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1912 and the latest in 1995. It stands in the Northwest Rockwall census division. It lies in ZIP code area 75087. The Survey maps it on the Rockwall quadrangle. 47,251 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 591 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Rockwall within Rockwall County

On record in Rockwall

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 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Rockwall grew from 37,490 to 47,251 between 2010 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
201037,490
202047,251+9,761 (+26%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

7 surveys from 16 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.

Fires near this place

185 since 2005

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 185 fires within 5 miles of Rockwall between 2005 and 2018, burning about 688 acres in total. 2 started naturally. 2 were 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/undetermined78
Debris and open burning55
Equipment and vehicle use15
Misuse of fire by a minor13
Recreation and ceremony9
Smoking7
Power generation/transmission/distribution4
Natural2
Arson/incendiarism2

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 2006Equipment and vehicle use6.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
8 September 2011Debris and open burning1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceHOLIDAY
7 September 2011Debris and open burning1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest ServiceKATHRYN
5 September 2010Missing data/not specified/undeterminedunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Service2010-0647
3 September 2016Debris and open burningunder an acreTexas A & M Forest Service2016-904
28 September 2005Natural2.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Servicenot named
27 September 2013Debris and open burning1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service12454 S STATE HIGHWAY 205 - 13089170
22 September 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresTexas A & M Forest Service2012-638

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Rockwall County

Storms near this place

60 of 72 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Rockwall in 72 storm reports between 1993 and 2026: 31 hail, 28 thunderstorm wind, 9 flash flood, 2 tornado. The reports record 2 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
April 1996Thunderstorm WindRockwall2 hurt, $400,000no account filed
October 2019Tornado (EF1)Rockwall$10,000,000Tornadic wind damage was observed in Rockwall, generally parallel with and north of US 66, from the eastern shore of Lake Ray Hubbard into northeastern Rockwall. The most intense damage was observed close to the lake, along Sunset Hill Drive where several homes sustained significant roof damage. As the path continued farther east across SH 205, damage consisted of downed trees and fences and missing shingles on roofs. Based on eyewitness accounts and video footage, a tornado, with maximum rated wind speeds of 90 mph, or EF-1 intensity was confirmed. The tornado is believed to have developed over Lake Ray Hubbard with a path length of almost 2 miles.
April 2016HailRockwall$10,000,000A social media report indicated 3-inch diameter hail in Rockwall, TX.
April 1994HailRockwall$5,000,000Golf ball- to soft ball-size hail damaged over 100 houses in southern Rockwall County. Damage was estimated at over 500,000 dollars.
June 2023HailRockwall$300,000Several public reports showed 1-2 sized hail fell in Rockwall, TX.
April 2016HailRockwall$250,000A trained spotter reported golf-ball sized hail near Highway 205 and Ralph Hall Parkway.
June 2023HailRockwall$250,000no account filed
April 1997Thunderstorm WindRockwall$150,000A marina received major damage from strong winds.
March 2017Thunderstorm WindRockwall$100,000Several media outlets filmed the aftermath of significant damage to homes in the northern parts of Rockwall. In particular were homes in a subdivision east of John King Blvd and south of FM 552.
May 1998Thunderstorm WindRockwall$50,000Thunderstorm winds downed carports, signs, and powerlines.
May 1997LightningRockwall$40,000Lightning struck a house and caused a fire that resulted in considerable damage.
May 1999Flash FloodRockwall$25,000A bridge at State Highway 205 collapsed from the pressure of debris against the structure. Some of the debris collected from heavy rains that also fell the previous day.
June 1997Thunderstorm WindRockwall$25,000Strong winds removed the roof of a house near the lake.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindRockwall$20,000Strong winds damaged roofs and trees.
June 1996Thunderstorm WindRockwall$15,000no account filed
May 2024Thunderstorm WindRockwall$12,000Large trees branches were knocked down in Rockwall. Power outages were also reported throughout the county.
October 2019Tornado (EF1)Rockwall$10,000This entry is a continuation of the Rowlett tornado that began in Dallas County: The onset of damage with this tornado path began along Larkin Lane in Rowlett with a few trees and roofs damaged. The track continued east northeast with the greatest intensity of damage observed in the 4600 block of Hilcox Road just before PGBT where one home lost most of the roof, saw severe windows damaged, and the garage exterior walls collapsed. Several metal outbuildings and barns on this and adjacent properties were also severely damaged or destroyed. Multiple trees were snapped or uprooted along with power poles collapsed. The tornado moved over the east side of the PGBT where several houses and barns sustained significant roof damage or shingles removed. The damage track continued north/northeast near the Pleasant Valley neighborhood. A video shows this tornado as it was over Lake Ray Hubbard where it likely lifted before reaching the far shore. Maximum estimated winds were 100 mph with this tornado.
April 2018HailRockwall$10,000Amateur radio reported golf ball sized hail in the city of Rockwall, TX.
April 2026HailRockwall$7,000Amateur radio operator reported 1.75 inch hail just south of Rockwall.
April 2026HailRockwall$7,000Report of 1.75 inch hail from mPING.
February 2023Thunderstorm WindRockwall$5,000Wind damage was reported along Washington Street in Rockwall. Damage to athletic field fences, broken tree limbs, and wooden sheds were damaged.
September 2005Thunderstorm WindRockwall$5,000Trees and power lines down.
November 1999Thunderstorm WindRockwall$5,000Trees were uprooted and a barn was destroyed by high thunderstorm winds.
March 1995Thunderstorm WindRockwall$5,000High winds caused roof damage to a home.
January 1993Thunderstorm WindRockwall$5,000Road signs were blown down.
August 2005Thunderstorm WindRockwall$3,000Large trees were split in half and a carport was blown down. Large tree limbs were also blown down.
April 2012HailRockwall$2,000Half dollar sized hail fell at the Walmart located near Interstate 30 and Ridge Road in Rockwall.
June 1996Thunderstorm WindRockwall$2,000no account filed
October 2014Thunderstorm WindRockwall$1,000Emergency Management reported that a power line was blown down on Goliad Street between the First Baptist Church and Emma Jame.
April 1999Thunderstorm WindRockwall$100Several trees were blown down by thunderstorm winds.
April 2023HailRockwall-A public report indicated ping pong ball sized hail about a mile south-southeast of Rockwall, TX.
April 2023HailRockwall-A social media picture indicated ping pong ball sized hail near the intersection of Ralph Hall Parkway and State Highway 205 in Rockwall, TX.
April 2023HailRockwall-Emergency management reported quarter sized hail in Rockwall, TX at the county sheriff's office.
March 2022HailRockwall-A public report indicated quarter sized hail in Rockwall, TX.
April 2016HailRockwall-A social media report indicated quarter sized hail in Rockwall, TX.
October 2014HailRockwall-Dime to quarter sized hail was observed in southeast Wylie.
October 2014HailRockwall-One inch diameter hail was observed near downtown Rockwall.
June 2012HailRockwall-Quarter sized hail was reported near State Highway 66 and FM 205 northeast of Rockwall.
June 2008Thunderstorm WindRockwall-Trees were blown down.
April 2007Thunderstorm WindRockwall-Limbs broken off trees.
March 2006Flash FloodRockwall-Significant flooding in and between the cities of Rockwall and Royse City including bypasses on Interstate 30.
July 2004Heavy RainRockwall-Some minor street flooding was reported, with 6.13 inches of rain falling in less than 24 hours.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindRockwall-Large tree limbs were blown down by high winds.
May 2001Thunderstorm WindRockwall-Continuous power flashes from high winds.
June 2000Flash FloodRockwall-Street flooding was reported in the south part of the city.
September 1998Flash FloodRockwall-Water covered some roads near Rockwall.
April 1997Flash FloodRockwall-Over 3.25 inches of rain in 12 hours resulted in widespread flooding across the county.
December 1997Flash FloodRockwall-Several roads remained flooded across the county.
September 1997Thunderstorm WindRockwall-Strong winds blew large tree limbs down.
December 1997Flash FloodRockwall-Several roads across the county were reported flooded and closed.
December 1997Flash FloodRockwall-Several roads across the county remained closed.
March 1995HailRockwall-,,,,,,,,Hail (1.75) Fate,25,1850CST,,,0,0,0,0,Hail (1.75) County-wide,25,1932CST,,,0,0,0,0,Flash Flooding White Oak Creek overflowed its banks causing flooding of nearby roads.
March 1995Thunderstorm WindRockwall-,,,,,,,,Hail (1.75) Fate,25,1850CST,,,0,0,0,0,Hail (1.75) County-wide,25,1932CST,,,0,0,0,0,Flash Flooding White Oak Creek overflowed its banks causing flooding of nearby roads.
April 1994HailRockwall-Golf ball- to soft ball-size hail damaged over 100 houses in southern Rockwall County. Damage was estimated at over 500,000 dollars.
November 1994Thunderstorm WindRockwall-Five mobile homes were destroyed, 13 sustained major damage, 42 mobile homes sustained minor damage, and power lines were blown down by high winds. Damage was estimated at $816,000.
April 1994HailRockwall-Golf ball- to soft ball-size hail damaged over 100 houses in southern Rockwall County. Damage was estimated at over 500,000 dollars.
April 2011HailRockwall-no account filed
May 2011HailRockwall-no account filed
April 2003HailRockwall-no account filed
April 2003HailRockwall-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Rockwall 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
Glen Hill2.6 miles16
Mobile City2.6 miles16
Fate4.2 miles16
Blackland6.2 miles11
Heath6.6 miles13
McLendon6.9 miles13
Royse City7.4 miles11
McLendon-Chisholm7.4 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 RockwallAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q383014The 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 1345424. 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.