University Park

University Park, a predominantly residential community of 23,000 residents, is located approximately five miles north of downtown Dallas, Texas.  The city is the home of Southern Methodist University and is also known for its attractive homes, beautiful parks and Gothic-inspired, Mark Lemmon designed churches.  The prime location of University Park in north-central Dallas provides easy access to a broad range of cultural, recreational, shopping, and business activities.

A diverse range of 8,600 homes supports a unique population base.  Seventy-two percent of residents over twenty-five years of age have obtained at least four years of college, making University Park among the most highly educated cities in the nation.

The City, along with its sister city, Highland Park, to the south, are served by the Highland Park Independent School District (HPISD).  In state testing, HPISD students consistently rank among the highest in the nation, with nearly 98% of the graduating class typically continuing on to college. 

The City prides itself on providing prompt and personal attention to requests for services.  A primary goal of the City is to provide and maintain a secure residential atmosphere, and through a hometown policing approach the City maintains crime rates among the lowest of any metropolitan area.

The History of the City of University Park

University Park began as a cluster of modest homes surrounding the fledgling Southern Methodist University (SMU), which was founded in then rural Dallas County in 1915.  The University supplied these homes to its faculty all bills paid until 1924, when the growing population could no longer be supported by the school’s facilities.  In response, the areas homeowners first sought annexation into the Town of Highland Park, but were refused due to the high cost which would have been required to provide the necessary utility and safety services.  Shortly thereafter, Dallas also refused a request of annexation on similar grounds.

Determined to confront the challenges before them, community leaders organized to incorporate as a wholly separate entity.  According to state law, incorporation required that area residents hold an election on the issue before the city could be officially formed and recognized.  On April 12, 1924, voters overwhelmingly approved the incorporation measure by a 5 to 1 margin.  Operating under the Commission form of government, the city began the work of shaping the new government and addressing the pressing need to establish basic municipal services.  To provide for the financial needs of the city, another election was held soon thereafter to authorize the issuance of municipal bonds.  Passing by a nearly unanimous margin, the $150,000 bond issue funded the installation of a new water supply system, street paving, and the construction of a city hall and fire station.  When first incorporated, the city encompassed 515 acres, 380 homes and 1,200 residents.

As a result of the efforts to build and improve the city, University Park grew to a population of nearly 24,000 residents by 1945 and had become one of the most prestigious locations in the area.  In fact, the community’s attractiveness and tax value had risen to such an extent that the City of Dallas now wanted to annex University Park into its boundaries.  At the time of the election, even the University Park elected officials favored annexation.  In the largest voter turnout to that date and still one of the largest in city history, the annexation was rejected by a 53% to 47% margin.

Since the 1940’s, the population and area of University Park have remained nearly constant at 27,000 residents and 3.8 square miles. The city is now surrounded by Dallas on three sides and the Town of Highland Park to the south.  The city’s unique character, high property values, low tax rates, and exemplary schools have been steadily maintained.

Part of what makes University Park such a sought-after destination for home buyers is it’s small town community feel, prime location between the Dallas North Tollroad and Central Expressway, excellent school district, phenomenal sports programs, and some of the finest shopping and dining in the area.