Allen is a city in Collin County in the U.S. state of Texas, and a northern suburb in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex.

[4] Allen is located approximately twenty miles (32 km) north of downtown Dallas and is a part of the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area.

[5] The town was established by the Houston and Texas Central Railway and named in 1872 for Ebenezer Allen, a state politician and railroad promoter.

[6] The railroad allowed the sale of crops across the country before they rotted, causing a shift from the previous cattle-based agriculture.

[7] On February 22, 1878,[5] a gang led by Sam Bass committed in Allen what is said to be Texas's first train robbery.

[6] From 1908 through 1948, Allen was a stop along the Texas Traction Company's interurban line from Denison to Dallas.

Since this time, it has grown dramatically due to the construction of U.S. Route 75, the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, and the development of nearby Dallas and Plano.

Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium boasts a large-scale indoor aquatic park with many swimming lanes, a rock-climbing wall, and a fitness center.

[31] In previous years, there have been performances by Pentatonix, Jerry Jeff Walker, Vince Vance & the Valiants, Survivor, James "J.T."

Taylor, Eddie Money, 38 Special, Three Dog Night, Commodores, Michael McDonald, and Lou Gramm.

[33] A multi-purpose arena, the 7,500-seat Credit Union of Texas Event Center, was completed in November 2009.

[38] The city of Allen is a voluntary member of the North Central Texas Council of Governments association, the purpose of which is to coordinate individual and collective local governments and facilitate regional solutions, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and enable joint decisions.

The council's responsibilities include planning and approving the budget, setting policy, enacting ordinances, establishing municipal law, regulating zoning, and appointing board and commission members.

A separate Collin College Technical Campus, opened in 2020, is located in west Allen.

[44] Small portions of the Allen city limits extend into Lovejoy, McKinney, and Plano ISDs.

[46] Allen High School offers advanced academic coursework through AP and IB courses.

Currently, with the large increase in its population and its ongoing retail and business development, traffic has become congested.

Allen levies sales tax at the maximum rate of 8.25% set by Texas law.