Axios Dallas

July 20, 2024
π€© Hello, Saturday! Sami here, diving into this summer's "it" backyard pool.
π§ Sounds like: "Cowboy Carter" by BeyoncΓ©
Today's newsletter is 750 words β a 3-minute read.
1 big thing: π€ Cool off like cowboys
A galvanized metal trough could be the coolest way to beat the Texas heat.
Why it matters: Typically meant to store water for horses and cattle, stock tanks are making a splash in backyards across the country.
- They're less expensive than a swimming pool and sexier than other above-ground options, according to Amanda Shaftel, co-founder of Austin-based Cowboy Pools.
- "Cowboys would hop in the pool after a long day at work," Shaftel tells Axios.
The big picture: The company, which ships stock tank pools starting at $3,450 nationwide, reports pool sales are up roughly 30% year-over-year.
- It's one of several similar businesses in Texas, including Stock Tank Love and Houston Stock Tank Pools, that launched in recent years as the pandemic kept people home.
What they're saying: "It was the best thing I could do for myself for a Texas summer," Dallas content creator Kenzie Elizabeth said on Instagram about the stock tank pool she bought and slotted into a deck last year.
- "It fits a lot more people than you'd think."
What's next: A small but swelling number of social media posts are tagged #StockTankPool and #StockTankPools.
- Posts using those hashtags jumped nearly 12% during the first half of this year compared with the same period last year, according to TikTok.
Reality check: The swimming pool industry is drowning, largely due to the same factors cooling the U.S. economy, Axios' Courtenay Brown reports.
- New pool construction could be down as much as 20% from last year, distributor Pool Corporation reported in late June, pointing to "cautious consumer spending on big-ticket items."
Between the lines: In-ground pools cost between $28,000 and $66,500 on average, per HomeAdvisor.
How it works: Cowboy Pools come pre-assembled, ranging in size from 6 to 10 feet in diameter.
- They need a completely level surface and access to outdoor electricity for a filter pump system that's included, along with other maintenance supplies.
- The company says most cities don't require permits to install the 2-feet-deep pools, but homeowners considering one should check local rules.
The fine print: People can set up the pools themselves or hire pros.
- Some savvy homeowners DIY the whole thing, buying troughs from farm supply stores. (Cowboy Pools and Stock Tank Love supply kits with everything but the tank for under $1,000.)
The intrigue: There are also plastic stock tanks, which some people prefer because they don't rust, and kids are less likely to get hurt if they hit their heads on them, a national sales pro told Wirecutter.
The bottom line: Move over, farm animals β we're taking a dip.
2. Texans, refreshed
Thank you to everyone who replied to our ask about how you're keeping cool this summer. Here are two Axios Texas reader submissions we had to share.
𦴠North Dallas homeowner Erica Sander shared a snap of "Freddy's Dog House," a backyard chillout zone for Labradoodles and humans alike.
What they're saying: The shaded structure boasts a 96-inch fan to keep them cool while watching sports, sipping cold cocktails, playing pool or swimming, Sander tells Axios.
- Plus, it's open on one side to welcome a breeze.
π§ Cedar Park homeowner Jessica Rees says when she and her family aren't swimming in their pool, they're cooling down at a library, park or community splash pad.
- They recently visited Enchanted Rock in the Texas Hill Country, taking advantage of a shaved ice stand near the end of a hike.
Go deeper: San Antonio attractions find new ways to combat summer heat
3. Home listings with a pool

Houses for sale with more traditional swimming pools are flooding the market nationally β a feature some installed when COVID lockdowns closed public pools.
State of play: The share of U.S. home listings offering a pool rose from 11.5% in 2017 to 22.8% in the first half of this year, per Realtor.com data shared with Axios.
The latest: Higher temperatures could boost the demand for homes with pools, according to Realtor.com economist Jiayi Xu.
4. π Great Wealth Transfer
A historic amount of wealth is set to change hands over the next 20 years, mainly between Baby Boomers and younger generations.
- Whether or not you're receiving or passing down an inheritance, we want to hear your thoughts.
- Is family money helping you or your child make the leap to homeownership?
Email [email protected] with your name and neighborhood. We may feature your insights in an upcoming newsletter.
Our picks:
π Sami is planning to cool off at Commons Ford Ranch.
Thanks to our editor Ashley May and copy editor Bill Kole.
Sign up for Axios Dallas




