Dickinson, Texas
City in the United States in Galveston County
About Dickinson
Dickinson is a city in Galveston County, Texas, United States, within Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands metropolitan area. Its population was 20,847 at the 2020 census.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How Dickinson is governed
Form of government not yet listed.
1 of 14 positions listed. Gray dashed boxes are placeholders waiting for a name.
Residents of Dickinson
Registered voters elect the officials below.
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Mayor
Executive
- Sean Skipworth per Wikidata
The city's chief elected official. Presides over the executive branch, proposes the budget and represents the city.
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City Manager / Administrator
Executive
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The professional administrator who runs day-to-day operations (in some cities appointed by the council instead of the mayor).
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Police Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the police department.
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Fire Chief
Administration & departments
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Leads the fire and emergency services department.
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Public Works Director
Administration & departments
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Streets, water, sewer, and city buildings.
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Finance Director
Administration & departments
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The budget, taxes, and city accounts.
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Planning & Zoning Director
Administration & departments
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Land use, zoning, building permits.
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Parks & Recreation Director
Administration & departments
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Parks, programs, and public facilities.
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City Council
Legislative
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The elected body that passes ordinances, sets the tax rate and approves the budget.
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City Clerk
Administration & departments
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Keeps the official records, runs meeting agendas and, often, local elections.
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City Attorney
Administration & departments
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The city's lawyer; advises officials and prosecutes ordinance violations.
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Boards & Commissions
Legislative
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Citizen advisory bodies, such as planning, zoning appeals and library boards.
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Municipal Court
Judicial
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Hears traffic, ordinance and other minor cases.
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Municipal Judge
Judicial
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Presides over the municipal court.
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- Website
- ci.dickinson.tx.us
Looking for your county, state and federal representatives too? See who represents 77539 or everyone in Texas.
Population over time
From 18,680 in 2010 to 20,847 in 2020 (+11.6%).
Show the numbers
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 20,847 |
| 2010 | 18,680 |
History
Dickinson is located on a tract of land granted to John Dickinson in 1824, and named after him. A settlement had been established in this area on Dickinson Bayou before 1850. The Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad was built directly through Dickinson. This line was used in the American Civil War to successfully retake Galveston.
The Dickinson Land and Improvement Association was organized in the 1890s by Fred M. Nichols and eight other businessmen. It marketed to potential farmers with claims of the soil's suitability for food crops, and to socialites with the creation of the Dickinson Picnic Grounds and other attractions. By 1911, the Galveston–Houston Electric Railway had three stops in Dickinson, and the Oleander Country Club was a popular destination for prominent Galvestonians.
In 1905, Italian ambassador Baron Mayor des Planches convinced about 150 Italians from crowded eastern cities to move to Dickinson. They joined the dozens relocated there after flooding in Bryan forced them to seek new homes.
During the 1920s, Dickinson became a significant tourist destination resulting from investment by the Maceo crime syndicate, which ran Galveston during this time. The syndicate created gambling venues in the city such as the Silver Moon casino.
The City of Dickinson constructed a new multimillion-dollar city hall and library complex that was dedicated June 30, 2009. The complex is located at 4403 Highway 3.
In May 2009, the city began hosting a crawfish festival, called the Red, White and Bayou Crawfish Festival. The city decided in 2018 not to continue with the festival. In August 2022, the city resumed the festival.
In August 2017, Dickinson was devastated by Hurricane Harvey. About 90% of the city was flooded during the storm and 50% was destroyed by flooding. The city received international attention after they tried to force citizens to sign loyalty pledges to Israel to receive relief aid. Local officials said it was required, due to Texas' strict anti-BDS laws.
In January 2021, Dickinson made national news by the mayoral election run-off ending in a tie (1,010 votes each); Mayor Sean Skipworth was selected by drawing a name out of a hat.
In August 2021, Dickinson made national news again when Council Member Position 1, H. Scott Apley died of the COVID-19 virus after making many antimask and antivaccine social-media posts. Johnnie Simpson Jr., a United Methodist pastor, won the seat after earning 49% of the vote in a four-way special election, and 60.3% of the vote in a runoff.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.