The first recorded white settlement in what would become the city of Grapevine occurred in the late 1840s and early 1850s. Growth during the 19th century was slow but steady; by 1890 the town had about 800 residents, along with such amenities as a newspaper, a public school, several cotton gins, a post office and a railroad. Growth continued early in the 20th century, and on January 12, 1914 the post office changed the town name to the one-word title Grapevine, after the area had been known by several other names.
Population fell during the period between the World Wars as the economy stagnated, though the city was officially incorporated by 1936. Population growth and economic development resumed to some extent in the decades immediately after World War II. But it was the opening of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport in 1974 that spurred enormous development in the city and nearby towns. Census figures show the unmistakable and typical pattern for cities north of the airport: 2,821 in 1960, 7,023 in 1970, 11,801 in 1980, 29,202 in 1990, and 42,059 in 2000.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.9 square miles (92.9 km²), of which, 32.3 square miles (83.6 km²) of it is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) of it (9.98%) is water.
As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 42,059 people, 15,712 households, and 11,312 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,303.0 people per square mile (503.1/km²). There were 16,486 housing units at an average density of 510.7/sq mi (197.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 88.16% White, 2.38% African American, 0.55% Native American, 2.56% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.58% from other races, and 1.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.56% of the population.
There were 15,712 households out of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.9% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.0% were non-families. 22.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 3.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.2% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 36.6% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.
Most of Grapevine is served by the Grapevine-Colleyville Independent School District. Other parts are served by Carroll, Lewisville, and Coppell ISDs.