Collin County requests four new courts amid population growth projections

The Collin County government meeting on June 2, 2025, focused on the growing need for additional county courts of law in response to the region's population increase. Officials discussed projections indicating that the population could reach approximately 1.6 million by 2030, necessitating the establishment of 11 county courts to effectively manage the expected caseload.

During the meeting, it was highlighted that the current workload for county court judges is already 22% above the recommended capacity, based on analyses from the Office of Court Administration (OCA). The discussion emphasized that adding just one additional court would still leave the county operating at over 100% capacity, while two new courts would allow for a more manageable workload.

Historical context was provided, noting that in 2017, the population was around 915,000, with projections suggesting it would double by 2030. Currently, Collin County has seven county courts, which is insufficient given the anticipated growth. The meeting underscored the efficiency of Collin County judges, who manage a lower number of courts compared to similar counties, yet handle a higher caseload.

The officials pointed out that neighboring counties like Dallas and Tarrant have more courts than needed based on their populations, further illustrating the disparity in court resources. The meeting concluded with a call for action to address the judicial needs of a rapidly growing population, emphasizing the importance of planning for future growth to ensure adequate legal resources are available.