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 Watauga continues to build its legacy of
abundance and prosperity through aggressive economic growth, low crime rates, highly rated
school districts, affordable housing and a small town civic atmosphere. These factors,
coupled with ready access to shopping, entertainment, recreation, airports and key
business districts in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, make Watauga an attractive
alternative for families and businesses alike. Due to these
factors, CNNMoney.com
named the City of Watauga the second most affordable place to live in the nation
for the year 2007. People who buy real estate in our City see their
incomes go the farthest.
Hardy settlers first arrived in the village around 1843, and in
thanksgiving for the rich farmland and abundant fish and game, organized the first Watauga
church, the Willow Springs Presbyterian Church in 1867.
Prosperity in Watauga was magnified in 1876
with the coming of the railroad which created an atmosphere of growth lasting until 1930
when the railroad depot was moved to Hodge. In 1960 an economic growth pattern emerged.
This ongoing period of accelerated development activity in Watauga is reflected in the
population increase from less than 4,000 citizens in 1970 to over 24,000 today.
The City of Watauga was incorporated in 1958 and the first City Hall and
Fire Station were completed the same year. In 1980, the original City of Watauga Home Rule
Charter was adopted and a municipal complex was opened. Watauga is led by a
Mayor/Council/City Manager form of government, with the Mayor and all seven City Council
seats elected at-large. Direct citizen input to City government takes the form of seven
volunteer boards and committees, which advise the council on a variety of issues such as
parks and recreation, crime prevention and economic development.
Watauga's pro-business environment and its membership in numerous regional and state economic development
organizations, provide the assistance needed in bringing business and industry to the
area. The City has a bustling business environment of over 300 small, medium and large
firms providing a diverse group of goods and services to its citizens.
These businesses support a quality of life unsurpassed by most towns of this size. While
the business base includes several national chains, over 90% are owned by independent
business people.
In Watauga you can find an ample selection of businesses providing personal and
professional services including over forty retail stores ranging from tailor-made suits to
auto parts. Several large shopping malls are within a ten minute drive from Watauga and
the City is home to banks, major food chains and many restaurants, providing
freedom of choice for all of your families' needs.
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