Round Rock growing quickly

ROUND ROCK, Texas (KXAN) - According to the U.S. Census Bureau , four of the 10 fastest growing cities in America are in Texas.

Round Rock leads the way, as the second-fastest growing city trailing only New Orleans. The government says there were 104,446 residents of Round Rock at the end of 2008, an increase of 8.2 percent compared to the year before. In the 2000 census, 61,000 people were recorded in the city.

Round Rock boasts 34 parks, 20 major employers, led by Dell, and three medical centers. The city also ranks consistently in the top 10 nationally for the quality of its schools, business opportunities, public safety and lifestyle.

In a 2008 survey, 89 percent of Round Rock residents said they feel safe walking at night in their neighborhood.

"People have really come together as a community and that's one of the biggest things," said Mike Freeman. "People can go out in the evening and not worry about it."

There really is a round rock in Round Rock. The town was originally named Brushy, after the Brushy Creek that runs through it. In 1854 the post office informed townspeople that there was already another town called Brushy, Texas and that it would need a new name.

A local merchant and founding father of the community named Thomas Oatts often fished in the creek while sitting on a large, round rock. It was there the city's new name was born.