The fastest-growing city in Wise County is not one of the two largest towns nor the city closest to the Metroplex.
According to recent numbers released by the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Boyd’s 3.8 percent population increase since January 1st, 2015, is the highest rate of growth in the county, even out-pacing the county’s own 0.4 percent increase.
So what is attracting so many people to this south Wise County town?
Perhaps it’s the quality school district that has history of both academic and athletic success. It could be the popular eating places such as GoGo Gumbo. Maybe it’s the city’s location on Texas 114, not far from larger cities such as Decatur, Azle or Fort Worth. Perhaps the best way to discover Boyd’s secret is to plan a visit of your own.
Government
Mayor: Rodney Holmes
Pro Tem: Mark Culpepper
Council Members Include: Ashley Frisinger, Gary Brown, Mark Culpepper, Tim Hammonds, Vince Estel
Council Meetings:
First and Third Tuesdays at 6:30pm
Boyd Community Center, 420 E. Morton.
City Administrator: Greg Arrington
City Secretary: Sherrie Dast
City Hall, 100 E. Rock Island Ave.
P: 940-433-5166
Website: cityofboyd.com
Services
The Boyd Police Department employs seven full-time officers.
Police Chief: Dwayne Taylor
P: 940-433-8400
The Boyd Fire Department provides protection to the city and surrounding areas.
Fire Chief: Chris Caster
P: 940-433-5755 or call 911 for emergencies
Parks and Recreation
Boyd has three city parks.
Yellowjacket Park at the corner of West Dunlap and North Evans includes a basketball court, play fort and playground.
James Snodgrass Park at 501 W. Hobbs Ave. includes a baseball field, softball field, t-ball field, walking trail and picnic tables.
Boyd Community Center at 420 E. Morton Ave.
The 6,480-square food Boyd Community Center includes two meeting rooms, kitchen and a stage with sound equipment to accommodate events of up to 300 people.
P: 940-433-5580 or 940-433-5166
Boyd Senior Citizens Center at 420 E. Morton Ave.
Features a covered dish lunch and domino games 10am to noon Tuesdays and Thursdays.
P: 940-433-3072
Boyd Raceway at 376 County Road 4781 South of the City
Hosts races every Friday night mid-March through August. The quarter-mile, semi-banked dirt track hosts races with stock cars, modified cars, sport modified cards, hobby stock cars and mini stock cars.
P: 940-433-5587
Website: boydraceway.net
River Valley Motocross at 733 County Road 4757 near Boyd
Large dirt racetrack equipped for all different size dirt bikes and ATVs.
P: 817-932-3333
Website: rivervalleymotocross.com
Local Point of Interest
The International Exotic Animal Sanctuary on Texas 114 between Boyd and Aurora provides a permanent home for animals such as tigers, bobcats, cougars, lions and bears. The sanctuary offers scheduled tours each weekend and weekday tours at 11am. Call ahead to let the staff know you are coming and the size of your group.
P: 940-433-5091
Website: bigcat.org
Education
The Class 3A Boyd Independent School District has four campuses, an elementary, intermediate, middle and high school.
Interim Superintendent: Leslie Vann
School Board Members Include: Ernest Partin, Jana Tate, Bill Childress, Jason Hammon, Trae Luttrell, Rebecca Parr and Jake Tackett.
Administration Office, 600 W. Knox Ave.
P: 940-433-2327
Boyd High School, 700 Knox Ave.
P: 940-433-9580
Boyd Middle School, 550 Knox Ave.
P: 940-433-9560
Boyd Intermediate School, 550 Knox Ave.
P: 940-433-9540
Boyd Elementary School, 500 E. Morton Ave.
P: 940-433-9520
Website: boydisd.net