Welcome to Dayton, We're Glad You Stopped By

Located 30 miles east of downtown Houston, Dayton offers the slower-pace of a small community, with every amenity available nearby in the country’s 4th largest city, offering a quality of life not easily found in suburbia. In Dayton, quality of life and growth partner to provide an ideal environment for families, commercial businesses, and industry.

As of the May 2010 Census, the population inside the city limits of Dayton is 7,242. The Dayton Independent School District covers 263 square miles in Liberty County and has an enrollment of 5,406 students.

All Roads (and Railways) Lead to Dayton

It's true! Four highways converge in Dayton: U.S. Hwy 90, part of the historic Old Spanish Trail Highway system, State Hwy 146, State Hwy 321, and F.M. 1960. Access between the city and the greater Houston area will be even easier beginning in 2022, with the completion of the Grand Parkway (SH-99), a 180-mile third loop around Houston which will pass through the western portion of Dayton. Union Pacific recently expanded its rail car capacity by adding 280 acres of storage space. Two major rail-served business parks are under construction, adding over 1,300 acres of land for industrial growth. From our roots as a processing and shipping point for the area’s rice farmers to our connectivity as a transportation hub for products of all types, Dayton is firmly positioned as a logistics and transportation center, which means jobs and economic stability.

Growing Dayton

Well-paying jobs and economic stability lead to growing neighborhoods and retail centers which Dayton is already experiencing. River Ranch, a 7,000-acre master-planned development will bring both homes and retail to the area. Phase I is currently underway and will consist of 1,300 homes, and 135 acres of commercial real estate. Other master-planned communities and neighborhoods are being planned.

Connect with Dayton

Dayton is poised to become only the second city in Texas to offer gigabit internet access as a City utility. In 2019, City Council approved moving forward with a City-owned fiber network to provide Dayton residents and businesses with fast and reliable internet service. The City expects to roll out this new service in 2021.

Developing Dayton

Historically, the residents of Dayton were supported by work in the areas of farming, cattle ranching, and oil. These industries continue today and still play an important part in the economic well being of the City. However, these jobs have now been supplemented by employment in the metal fabrication industry, the chemical refining industry, the oil field services industry, numerous types of retail employment, and the coiled metal tube and pipe industry. The City has taken a proactive position when it comes to business and has created the Dayton Community Development Corporation (DCDC) to assist business development. This organization stands eager and ready to assist entrepreneurs in the start-up, relocation, and/or expansion of their business.

Living in Dayton

Being strongly committed to a high quality of life for our residents, Dayton offers a range of parks and playgrounds that provide outdoor opportunities for all generations. Baseball and soccer fields, playgrounds, walking trails, a splash pad, and an Olympic size swimming pool lend themselves to activities for one and all. The City's newest amenity, THE CROSSROADS, an exciting out-door food, and festival location, is home to a weekly Food Truck Friday, quarterly Friday Night Bites, a monthly farmers market, and more. Indoors, the Dayton Community Center is truly a hub of activity. Not only does it host a variety of events, shows, and meetings, the Community Center is also home to the City's Senior Center, Public Library, Chamber of Commerce, and the above-mentioned DCDC. A true centerpiece of the Community Center, the Jones Public Library offers more than just books. Inside its welcoming doors, you'll find a variety of printed materials, community computers, and programming for every age and interest.

For the outdoorsman, there is easy access to the Texas Gulf Coast and the opportunity to enjoy some of the best Redfish and Trout fishing to be found anywhere.