Park Cities is a term used in reference to two communities in Dallas County, Texas – the Town of Highland Park and the City of University Park. The two municipalities, which share a border, are surrounded by the city of Dallas and comprise an enclave.
As of the 2010 census, the Park Cities had a population of 31,632.[1][2]
The Park Cities have among the highest per capita incomes in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and Texas.
In 2000, the Robb Report presented a report which stated that the Park Cities ranked No. 9 in a list of communities with the highest quality living in the USA.[3]
In terms of formal education, the Park Cities rank as Texas' first and second most educated communities. 82.8% of adults in University Park age 25 years or older possess an associate degree or higher, and 80.5% obtained a baccalaureate degree or higher. 76.6% of adults in Highland Park age 25 years or older possess an associate degree or higher, and 74.7% obtained a baccalaureate degree or higher.
In 1982, the Park Cities Historical Society, which is intended to preserve the community, was founded.[4]
The Highland Park Independent School District serves most of the Park Cities. A small portion of Highland Park (areas west of Roland Avenue) is zoned to the Dallas Independent School District.
University Park is home to Southern Methodist University.