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University Park is an affluent city in Dallas County, Texas, situated as an inner northern suburb of Dallas. At the 2020 census, the city recorded a population of 25,278. Bordered by Dallas on nearly all sides and adjacent to the town of Highland Park, University Park is one half of the "Park Cities," a pair of established, upscale residential enclaves that have long ranked among the most desirable addresses in the Dallas–Fort Worth region. The city is defined by its namesake institution. Southern Methodist University, a private research university founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, anchors the community, and its campus shapes the city's geography and character. The George W. Bush Presidential Center, which includes a presidential library and museum, is located on the SMU campus and stands as one of the area's most prominent landmarks. University Park's residential fabric is mature and leafy, with substantial single-family homes on tree-lined streets, and the Snider Plaza district provides a walkable core of shops and restaurants near the university. Public education is provided by the Highland Park Independent School District, which also serves Highland Park and is widely regarded as one of the state's strongest districts, a key reason the Park Cities remain so sought after by families. University Park incorporated in 1924, emerging alongside Southern Methodist University as the campus and surrounding residential neighborhoods grew through the early twentieth century. The city has long ranked among the most affluent and highly educated communities in Texas, with a stable, fully built-out character and a strong sense of civic identity. For residents, University Park combines a quiet, established suburban feel with immediate access to downtown Dallas, the city's arts and cultural institutions, and the broader metroplex's employment centers.

Population 25,278

County Dallas County

Active Listings 133

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is University Park, Texas located?

University Park is in Dallas County, Texas, as an inner northern suburb of Dallas. It is bounded by Dallas on most sides and sits adjacent to Highland Park, together forming the Park Cities area.

What school district serves University Park?

University Park is served by the Highland Park Independent School District, which also serves neighboring Highland Park. The district is known for its highly regarded schools and is a major draw for families in the Park Cities.

What is University Park known for?

University Park is home to Southern Methodist University, founded in 1911, and the George W. Bush Presidential Center on the SMU campus. The city is part of the affluent Park Cities area known for its large homes and tree-lined streets.

City Guide

About University Park

Real Estate & Housing

University Park's housing is among the most established and desirable in Dallas. The stock consists largely of substantial single-family homes, many of them traditional brick, Tudor, and colonial styles built across the twentieth century, set on tree-lined streets with mature landscaping. Tear-downs and custom new construction have added larger contemporary homes alongside the older inventory. The market is oriented toward affluent buyers seeking top schools, central location, and long-term stability. Because the city is landlocked and fully developed, supply is inherently limited, and the combination of location, schools, and prestige sustains its reputation as one of Dallas's premier residential addresses.

Neighborhoods

University Park is a mature, fully developed city rather than a collection of new subdivisions. Its neighborhoods fan out from the SMU campus, with residential streets lined by large homes and mature trees. Snider Plaza, a longstanding shopping and dining district near the university, anchors the commercial heart of the city, while the George W. Bush Presidential Center and SMU's boulevard serve as major landmarks. The city shares a seamless boundary and a school district with neighboring Highland Park, and together the Park Cities form a cohesive, prestigious residential enclave surrounded by Dallas on nearly all sides.

Lifestyle in University Park

University Park offers an established, upscale suburban lifestyle in the heart of Dallas. Daily life revolves around the tree-lined residential streets, the SMU campus, and the walkable shops and restaurants of Snider Plaza, while the George W. Bush Presidential Center adds cultural weight to the community. The city is highly family-oriented, with a strong emphasis on education and a tight-knit, civic-minded atmosphere. Residents enjoy the convenience of being minutes from downtown Dallas and the city's arts, dining, and employment centers, while living in a quiet, leafy enclave. It is a community that prizes tradition, education, and long-standing neighborhood character.

Schools & Education

University Park is served by the Highland Park Independent School District, which also serves the neighboring town of Highland Park. The district is consistently regarded as one of the strongest in Texas, and its schools are a primary reason families choose the Park Cities. The district operates elementary, middle, and high school campuses closely tied to the community. In addition, Southern Methodist University provides higher education and cultural resources within the city itself, while the broader Dallas area offers a wide range of private schools and other universities within easy reach.

Getting Around

University Park is centrally located just north of downtown Dallas, with direct access to the city's major thoroughfares, including Central Expressway (U.S. 75), the Dallas North Tollway, and Northwest Highway. This positions residents within minutes of downtown Dallas, Uptown, and the region's employment centers. Dallas Love Field is nearby, and Dallas–Fort Worth International Airport is reachable by freeway. Commuting is predominantly by car, though DART bus service and the nearby rail network provide transit options. The city's compact, walkable layout and proximity to the Katy Trail also support walking and cycling for local trips.

Parks & Recreation

Recreation in University Park is anchored by its parks, its proximity to the SMU campus, and the amenities of the Park Cities. The city maintains neighborhood parks, playgrounds, and green space, and residents have access to the Katy Trail and the Dallas park system nearby. Snider Plaza offers walkable shopping and dining, while the George W. Bush Presidential Center and SMU's cultural venues, including the Meadows Museum, provide arts and educational attractions. The city's central location also puts White Rock Lake, downtown Dallas, and the region's professional sports and entertainment venues within a short drive.

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