Park Cities, Texas facts for kids
The Park Cities are two special towns in Dallas County, Texas. They are called the Town of Highland Park and the City of University Park. These two towns are right next to each other and are completely surrounded by the big city of Dallas. This makes them like a small island inside a larger city.
In 2010, about 31,632 people lived in the Park Cities. These areas are known for having some of the highest incomes in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex and all of Texas. In 2000, a report called the Robb Report said that the Park Cities were one of the top 10 places to live in the USA!
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Who Lives in the Park Cities?
The Park Cities are home to many people. Here are some facts from the 2010 census:
- Total number of people: 31,632
- Number of homes: 11,590
- Number of families: 7,703
Most people living here are White (about 95%). There are also people of Hispanic or Latino, Asian, and African American backgrounds.
The Park Cities are also known for having very educated residents. In fact, they rank as the first and second most educated communities in Texas!
- In University Park, over 80% of adults aged 25 or older have a college degree or higher.
- In Highland Park, over 74% of adults aged 25 or older have a college degree or higher.
Culture and Community Life
To help keep the history and special feeling of the Park Cities alive, the Park Cities Historical Society was started in 1982. This group works to preserve the community's unique heritage.
Learning and Schools
Most of the Park Cities are served by the Highland Park Independent School District. This school district is well-known for its excellent schools. A very small part of Highland Park is part of the Dallas Independent School District.
The Southern Methodist University (SMU) is also located in University Park. It is a large university where students can go to study after high school.
Local Schools in the Park Cities
Here are some of the schools in the Highland Park Independent School District:
- Boone Elementary School
- Armstrong Elementary School
- McCulloch Intermediate School and Highland Park Middle School (these two schools are often together)
- University Park Elementary School
- Hyer Elementary School
- Bradfield Elementary School
- Highland Park High School
News and Media
The main newspaper for the Dallas area, The Dallas Morning News, covers news from the Park Cities. There is also a local newspaper just for the community called Park Cities News, which has been around since 1938.
