Dallas represents the essence and vitality of a city built on big dreams, freshly blazed trails and an attitude that all things are possible.  The City officials and managers strive to maintain and improve services, set direction, and lead Dallas as it develops into a richly diverse, vibrant, and progressive city.  The five Key Focus Areas or goals council approved for the City of Dallas are:  public safety; economic vibrancy; clean, healthy environment; culture, arts and recreation; education, and effective, efficient and economical (E3) government.  These goals are the overreaching priorities guiding decision makers in determining the direction for the City of Dallas.  With a population of 1,210,390, Dallas is the 9th Largest City in the United States, 3rd Largest in Texas, and among the nation’s 100 most Ethnically Diverse Communities.  Dallas covers an area of 384.7 square miles and is home to 64,000 companies that employ over a million people within the city.  Eleven Fortune 500 companies have their headquarters in Dallas.