 The town incorporated in 1952 when its population was 250.In the 1960s the town languished as Interstate 30 bypassed Rowlett.The town has had a building boom since the completion of Lake Ray Hubbard in 1971 – growing to 1,600 by 1973; 10,573 by 1989; 23,260 by 1990; and 44,503 by 2000.