Mesquite is a suburban community in the United States, east of the city of Dallas, Texas. Much of the city is located in the county of Dallas, though a small section stretches into the county of Kaufman. It has a population of over 140,000, making it the 22nd-most populous city in Texas. Mesquite is located at the junction of four major Interstates 30, 635, 20 and United States highways. Highway 80. The town is the 'Rodeo Capital of Texas, Mesquite won a Fun City USA designation for the fourth year in a row. Mesquite City was established on March 14, 1878, on the Texas & Pacific Railway, and was named after Mesquite Creek by the locals.