Ellis County I-35 Community
Welcome to Italy, an Ellis County city on Interstate 35 south of Waxahachie, known for the Monolithic Dome Institute and its roadside landmark.
Italy is a city in southwestern Ellis County, Texas, situated on Interstate 35 south of Waxahachie and the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Its population was 1,926 at the 2020 census. The community's name, its railroad history, and its modern identity as a construction and manufacturing center all set it apart among the small towns of the I-35 corridor. The town's growth began with the railroad. The Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad reached Italy in 1890, and the resulting stop made the town an important market center for the surrounding farmland. The population grew from about 1,061 in 1900 to roughly 1,500 by 1925, before the Great Depression sparked a decline that lasted for decades. Growth resumed in the 1970s, and the population approached 2,000 by 2000. Italy's most distinctive modern feature is the Monolithic Dome Institute, a construction company headquartered in the city that designs and builds concrete dome structures. The firm relocated to Italy in part for its central location and construction-friendly environment, and its domed buildings and facilities line the interstate. Its best-known landmark, Bruco the Caterpillar — a caterpillar-shaped dome structure beside I-35 — has been a roadside icon for decades. The city itself is a small, quiet community with homes, schools, churches, and local businesses centered near the interstate and the old railroad town site. Its position on I-35 places residents within commuting distance of Waxahachie, Hillsboro, and the southern reaches of the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. Italy's blend of rail-era agricultural roots, interstate access, and an unusual industrial identity gives it a character distinct from other Ellis County towns. For residents, Italy offers small-town living with quick access to the metro region's employment and services.
Italy is in Ellis County, Texas, in the southwestern part of the county on Interstate 35 south of Waxahachie. Its population was 1,926 at the 2020 census, and the town grew after the railroad arrived in 1890.
The Monolithic Dome Institute is a construction company headquartered in Italy that designs and builds concrete dome structures. Its domed buildings line Interstate 35, and its best-known landmark is Bruco the Caterpillar, a caterpillar-shaped dome beside the highway.
Italy is served by the Italy Independent School District, which operates local campuses for the city and surrounding area. The district is a central part of community life, with school activities and athletics drawing broad participation.
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