Highland Park, Texas: A Guide to the Town, Its Schools, and Its Homes

Highland Park is a separate town of about 2.26 square miles, surrounded by Dallas and about 3 miles north of downtown. It has its own government and public safety department, and most homes are served by Highland Park ISD. Buyers come for the historic architecture, the parks along Turtle Creek, and the location close to the center of the city.

A lot of people use "Highland Park" loosely, so let's start with what it actually is.

Is Highland Park part of Dallas?

No. The Town of Highland Park is its own municipality, incorporated in 1913. Dallas surrounds it, and the City of University Park borders it to the north. Together the two are called the Park Cities. Highland Park had 8,864 residents in the 2020 Census.

Postal addresses and ZIP codes won't reliably tell you which town a home is in, so check the appraisal district parcel record for any address you're considering. If you're deciding between the two Park Cities, here's how it compares with University Park.

How did Highland Park begin?

In 1906, John S. Armstrong bought the land, then known as Philadelphia Place, and developed it as Highland Park with his sons-in-law, Hugh Prather Sr. and Edgar Flippen. In 1907 they hired Wilbur David Cook, who had also designed Beverly Hills, to lay out the town. The first lots sold in 1909, and 20% of the land was set aside for parks. That early commitment to green space still shapes the town.

Highland Park Village opened in 1931. It's often called the first self-contained shopping center in America and was named a National Historic Landmark in 2000. Its Spanish-style buildings are still a center of daily life in the town.

What schools serve Highland Park?

Most of the Town is served by Highland Park ISD, which received an overall A rating from the Texas Education Agency for 2024–25. HPISD has five elementary schools (Armstrong, Bradfield, Hyer, Michael M. Boone, and University Park), plus McCulloch Intermediate, Highland Park Middle School, and Highland Park High School. Armstrong and Bradfield are the elementary schools listed for the Town.

One important detail: the part of the Town west of the Dallas North Tollway is served by Dallas ISD. Confirm the district for any specific address before you fall in love with a house.

What are the homes like in Highland Park?

You'll find Colonial Revival, Spanish Revival, French Eclectic, Neoclassical, Tudor, and Georgian homes, along with many new builds. Older homes being replaced with new construction has been an ongoing theme. A local preservation group has noted that only deed restrictions, not landmark status, actually prevent demolition. If a particular older house matters to you, ask about its deed restrictions early.

Prices are at the top of the Dallas market. Redfin reported a median sale price of $3,675,000 in November 2025, based on only six sales. If you're also looking at what 1M–2M buys around Dallas, that guide gives a wider view of the luxury market.

What parks and green space does Highland Park have?

Turtle Creek runs through the town. Lakeside Park covers more than 14 acres along the creek between Beverly Drive and Armstrong Parkway, with walking paths, a bridge on the Turtle Creek dam, and the well-known teddy bear statues. Exall Lake dates to 1890, when Henry Exall dammed Turtle Creek. Prather Park is part of the town's park system too. The Katy Trail, a 3.5-mile path that runs toward Uptown and the American Airlines Center, is nearby.

Is Highland Park right for you?

It depends on your priorities and budget. Highland Park offers historic architecture, a walkable shopping village, its own town services, and a location close to central Dallas, at some of the highest prices in the area. If you're also considering larger lots farther north, see Highland Park and Preston Hollow side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Highland Park a separate city from Dallas?

Yes. The Town of Highland Park is its own municipality, incorporated in 1913, with its own government and public safety department, though Dallas surrounds it.

Are all Highland Park homes in Highland Park ISD?

No. Most of the Town is in Highland Park ISD, but the part west of the Dallas North Tollway is served by Dallas ISD. Confirm the district by address.

What is the difference between Highland Park and University Park?

They're two separate municipalities that together make up the Park Cities. University Park is a city of about 3.7 square miles and home to SMU. Highland Park is a town of about 2.3 square miles to its south.

Thinking about Highland Park, or trying to decide between the Park Cities and another part of Dallas? I'd be glad to help you compare. Reach me at (214) 642-2510 or lacey@theadvisoryteamdallas.com. — Lacey