Rapid economic growth and development are two of the main factors driving Argyle’s population boom. Schools are packed, filling up new seats as soon as they can provide them, and new buildings seem to be sprouting up every day.

Ultimately, rapid urbanization will most likely lead to the deterioration of both the small-town atmosphere and desirable traits that the town has to offer.

The population of Argyle has increased by over 50 percent since the year 2000 (source), and it will most likely continue to grow from there. Resources are being stretched to the max to keep up with the trend, and land prices are skyrocketing.

So far, 333 acres in the town have been dedicated to housing developments such as Country Lakes, the Hills of Argyle, and the newly built Harvest and Canyon Falls. To accommodate these developments, resources such as restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations must be provided, along with putting stress on the infrastructure of the town.  Therefore, 35 acres have already been developed commercially. 

Class sizes have more than doubled in the past decade, and the school district is struggling to keep up. The introduction of portable trailers as classrooms was only a temporary solution, and the new middle school opened just last year is filling to the brim already. The staff necessary to run the school, and whatever new buildings to come, are forcing the district to funnel money into filling basic needs rather than expanding on extracurricular and academic opportunities for students. To put it simply: town leaders are choosing quantity over quality when it comes to managing local government.

Overall, both the school system and local government need to take a step back and reconsider how rapid urbanization can harm the community. After all, growth and change are necessary to form a working society, but if executed hastily, can and will have the opposite effect.