Incorporated as "Grand Prairie" in 1909, the community was first recognized as Dechman in 1863, founded by Alexander McRae Dechman. Before 1863, Grand Prairie was a stop on the stage coach line from Dallas to Fort Worth and an Indian Trading Post. Buffalo roamed the prairie, and one of the only known Buffalo Wallows still remains untouched in town. Grand Prairie incorporated as a city in 1909. Today, Grand Prairie is 81 square miles and is ideally located between Dallas and Fort Worth. Nearly 161,000 people call Grand Prairie home. The average age of residents is 32, the average household income is $62,974 (2006) and the average value of a new home was $203,000 in 2006. With 35 percent of Grand Prairie available for development and its prime location in the Metroplex, Grand Prairie has become a hotbed of economic development. Recent efforts have attracted more than 3,000 jobs and $150 million in investments.