Highland Park

Tucked inside the city of Dallas yet operating as its own incorporated municipality, Highland Park is one of those rare places that manages to feel like a small town while sitting at the heart of one of America’s largest metro areas. With a population of just under 9,000 residents, this storied enclave on the north side of Dallas has long attracted families, professionals, and retirees who want walkable charm, top-tier schools, and genuine community without sacrificing urban convenience. If you’re weighing a move here, here’s what you should honestly know before you sign anything.

A City That Fits Multiple Lifestyles

Highland Park’s appeal is surprisingly broad despite its compact size. Young families gravitate here for Highland Park Independent School District, consistently ranked among the best public school systems in Texas — a fact that drives significant demand all on its own. Empty nesters love the walkable streets lined with mature oak trees, the proximity to Snider Plaza’s boutiques and coffee shops, and the tight-knit neighborhood feel you rarely find this close to a major downtown. The median age of 45.6 reflects a community that skews established and settled, but younger couples are increasingly drawn here too, willing to stretch their budgets for the school district and neighborhood character. The town is divided into distinct residential pockets — the grand estates near Turtle Creek, the slightly more modest blocks near the Park Cities border — but the overall identity feels cohesive and intentional.

Cost of Living and Housing

There’s no sugarcoating this part: Highland Park is expensive. The median home price sits around $1,887,300, which reflects both the quality of construction and the relentless demand for limited inventory. The housing stock ranges from lovingly preserved Tudor and Colonial Revival homes built in the 1920s and 30s to newer construction that commands a premium on larger lots. Rentals exist but are uncommon and typically expensive. The median household income of $250,001 tells you something important about who lives here — this is a community built largely around financial stability, and the cost of entry matches that reality. Property taxes in Texas are notably high statewide, so budget carefully when calculating total ownership costs.

Employment and Economy

Very few Highland Park residents work within the town itself — this is a community that commutes, usually by car, into Dallas proper or the broader Metroplex. Downtown Dallas is roughly a 15-minute drive, putting residents close to major employers in finance, healthcare, energy, and professional services. Medical City Dallas and UT Southwestern Medical Center are significant employers within easy reach. Many residents are business owners, executives, attorneys, physicians, and finance professionals. The local economy within Highland Park itself is anchored by retail and service businesses along Knox-Henderson, Mockingbird Lane, and Snider Plaza, but it functions more as a residential sanctuary than an employment hub.

Lifestyle and Recreation

Daily life in Highland Park centers on outdoor activity, dining, and community events. Exall Park and Goar Park offer green space and gathering spots for families. The Katy Trail, one of Dallas’s most beloved urban hike-and-bike paths, runs along the western edge and connects residents to surrounding neighborhoods. Highland Park Village — considered the first planned shopping center in the United States — remains a genuine destination with upscale dining and retail. Social life here tends to revolve around the Park Cities community fabric, from school activities to local events organized through the town’s active civic associations.

The Bottom Line

Highland Park rewards those who can afford it with an exceptional quality of life: strong schools, safe streets, beautiful architecture, and a genuine sense of place rare in suburban Texas. It’s not a fit for every budget or every lifestyle, and the exclusivity is part of what residents are paying for. If the financials work and the priorities align, it’s a genuinely wonderful place to put down roots.