Fort Worth just crossed a milestone that’s as much about the spirit of our city as it is about numbers: one million residents. It’s a testament to the city’s energy, grit and sense of community, qualities that have made Fort Worth a magnet for growth.
But as any community leader, developer, architect, or builder will tell you, growth brings challenges along with promise.
Reaching one million is a reminder that we’re stewards of something bigger than ourselves. Our choices now shape the Fort Worth our children will inherit. That responsibility must be visible in the decisions we make about where and how our city grows.
You can see real examples in places like Dickies Arena and the Stockyards, where history meets modern ambition. It’s evident in the transformation of Near Southside, the vibrant growth of Panther Island and the continued investment in our cultural landmarks, such as the Amon Carter Museum of American Art and the Fort Worth Convention Center. And you see it on the TCU campus, where thoughtful growth brings new life to a place that’s been part of Fort Worth’s story for generations.
When I walk through our neighborhoods or see a new project taking shape, I’m reminded that every brick laid and every conversation had is part of a much larger story. It’s the story of a city built by people who cared enough to invest in its future.
The founding fathers of Fort Worth, people like Amon Carter, didn’t just lead. They supported this city. They showed up. They gave back. And they believed Fort Worth was worth building.
That legacy isn’t theirs alone to carry. It belongs to all of us. Because you don’t need a title to be a leader. You just need a stake in the outcome.
As Opal Lee said: “I just so want this community and others to work together to make this the best city, best state, the best country in the whole wide world. And we can do it together.”
And as any Fort Worthian knows, the best projects take shape when everyone has a seat at the table and a reason to show up.
Fort Worth at one million is an exciting moment, but what we do next is really what matters. It’s on all of us to steward Fort Worth’s future with care, courage, and a commitment to each other.
Our city doesn’t grow on its own. We grow it together.
Scot Bennett is the regional director of The Beck Group in Fort Worth. He co-founded the Beck School of Construction, a partnership with the city of Fort Worth that supports the growth of minority-owned businesses in the industry. Scot also serves on the boards of the Real Estate Council of Greater Fort Worth and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce.