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The current construction in Dallas tells us why this city is not only one of the most populous cities in America, it's also one of the fastest growing. Matter of fact, Downtown Dallas is expected to grow by leaps and bounds this year; so, if you're thinking about moving to the Big D, you should be thinking about it now.
For many of us, it's easy to get lost down Google's rabbit hole when we go to search for places and neighborhoods that meet our specifications. And because HomeSnacks knows that the clock is ticking if you want to get your hands on one of Dallas' best neighborhoods; so, we've done the work for you and below you can find a list of the top neighborhoods in D-town for 2020.
For all of you data nerds out there, this is how we determined the best neighborhoods in Dallas: first, we looked at the latest FBI data for crime reports, the Census report for population counts and housing costs, and the BLS data for current unemployment numbers for Dallas' 32 neighborhoods. And for the people who care if there's a bunch of cool stuff to do, we figured that if there are a lot of people in a neighborhood, there's a good chance you won't ever be bored.
And, folks, you will be happy to know that Dallas' top five neighborhoods scored a 9/10 or better in terms of SnackAbility. But, don't get it twisted, to afford the $254,480.125 price tag for homes in these areas, you're going to need to make at least $67,864.84375/year.
There are other great neighborhoods that made this Dallas list that are a tad bit more affordable. But, if you want to know more, you're going to have to keep reading.
Here are the best neighborhoods in Dallas for 2020:
It's not lost on us that many of Dallas' best neighborhoods are also the city's wealthiest. High incomes, high home prices, and a strong focus on safety usually translates to a better living situation.
So, where is the best neighborhood in Dallas? Well, if you live in University Park, you have it made: you are Dallas' best neighborhood for 2020.
Now, if you don't, you are our target audience. We recommend that you do yourself a favor and take a look at our list below, we promise it will be the best decision you've made all day.
For more Texas reading, check out:
The 10 Best Neighborhoods To Live In Dallas
Population: 24,259
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $1,176,311 (Second best)
Median Income: $198,578 (First best)
More on University Park: Homes For Sale | Data
University Park began as a cluster of homes surrounding the fledgling Southern Methodist University, which was founded in the then-rural Dallas County in 1915. The university supplied these homes with utility service until 1924, when the growing population could no longer be supported by the school's utilities. In response, the areas homeowners first sought annexation into the town of Highland Park, but were refused due to the high cost that would have been required to provide the necessary utility and safety services. Shortly thereafter, Dallas also refused a request for annexation on similar grounds.
Population: 8,797
Rank Last Year: 4 (Up 2)
Median Home Value: $1,383,288 (First best)
Median Income: $197,247 (Second best)
More on Highland Park: Homes For Sale | Data
Highland Park is a town in central Dallas County, Texas, United States. It is among the five wealthiest locations in Texas, and the most affluent suburb of Dallas. The population was 8,564 at the 2010 census. It is located between the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. Route 75, 4 miles north of downtown Dallas.
Population: 40,893
Rank Last Year: 3 (No Change)
Median Home Value: $466,340 (Fourth best)
Median Income: $120,158 (Third best)
More on North Dallas: Homes For Sale | Data
North Dallas is an area of numerous communities and neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas. The phrase "North Dallas" is also sometimes used to include any suburb or exurb north of Dallas proper within the metropolitan area. The majority of North Dallas is located in Dallas County, while a small portion is located in Collin and Denton Counties. North Dallas generally includes areas of Dallas north of Northwest Highway, along with Lake Highlands and areas of Dallas north of IH-635 known as Far North Dallas. The area has strong social and economic ties to the Dallas enclave of Park Cities, and two inner suburbs of Dallas, Richardson and Addison. It is the wealthiest part of Dallas, but has its adjacent, yet scattered rough parts, as well.
Population: 15,001
Rank Last Year: 5 (Up 1)
Median Home Value: $463,807 (Fifth best)
Median Income: $114,929 (Fourth best)
More on Bluffview: Homes For Sale | Data
Bluffview is an upscale neighborhood in north Dallas, Texas. It is bounded by Lovers Lane on the south, Midway Road on the west, Northwest Highway on the north, and Inwood Road and the Devonshire neighborhood on the east.
Population: 50,766
Rank Last Year: 2 (Down 3)
Median Home Value: $233,466 (12th best)
Median Income: $80,066 (Seventh best)
More on Oak Lawn: Homes For Sale | Data
Oak Lawn is a neighborhood in Dallas, Texas, defined in Dallas City Ordinance 21859 as Planned Development District No. 193, the Oak Lawn Special Purpose District. The unofficial boundaries are Turtle Creek Boulevard, Central Expressway, the City of Highland Park, Inwood Road, and Harry Hines Boulevard. It is over 12 square miles in area. Officially it is bounded by the City of Highland Park, the North Central Expressway, Stemmons Freeway, Woodall Rodgers Freeway, and other roads. The district is within the boundary defined by the City of Dallas law, excluding any existing planned development districts within.
Population: 163,453
Rank Last Year: 15 (Up 9)
Median Home Value: $215,465 (13th best)
Median Income: $73,621 (13th best)
More on Far North: Homes For Sale | Data
Far North Dallas is the section of the city of Dallas, Texas which extends north of the Lyndon B. Johnson Freeway. Far North Dallas is part of North Dallas, however is viewed as a distinct area. The area has strong social and economic ties to two inner suburbs of Dallas, Richardson and Addison.
Population: 34,572
Rank Last Year: 6 (Down 1)
Median Home Value: $246,297 (11th best)
Median Income: $75,322 (11th best)
More on M Streets: Homes For Sale | Data
Population: 987
Rank Last Year: 13 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $285,200 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $78,574 (Ninth best)
More on Main Street District: Homes For Sale | Data
Population: 850
Rank Last Year: 14 (Up 5)
Median Home Value: $285,200 (Eighth best)
Median Income: $78,574 (Ninth best)
More on Government District: Homes For Sale | Data
Population: 83,392
Rank Last Year: 8 (Down 2)
Median Home Value: $271,338 (Tenth best)
Median Income: $84,470 (Sixth best)
More on Preston Hollow: Homes For Sale | Data
Preston Hollow is a neighborhood in north Dallas, Texas. It is bordered on the south by the city of University Park, Texas, an upper-middle-class enclave within Dallas.
How We Determined The Best Dallas, TX Neighborhoods In 2020
In order to rank the best neighborhoods in Dallas, we had to determine what criteria defines a "best".
Using crime, census, and extrapolated BLS data, we arrived at the following set of criteria:
- High incomes
- Low unemployment rates
- Low crime
- High home prices
- High population densities (A proxy for things to do)
We then ranked each neighborhood with scores from 1 to 32 in each category, where 1 was the best.
Next, we averaged the rankings for each neighborhood to create a best neighborhood index.
And finally, we crowned the neighborhood with the lowest best neighborhood index the "Best City Neighborhood In Dallas." We're lookin' at you, University Park.
Read on below to learn more about what it's like to live in the best places Dallas, Texas has to offer. Or skip to the end to see the list of all the neighborhoods in the city from best to worst.
Putting A Bow On Our Analysis Of The Best Neighborhoods In Dallas
If you're measuring the neighborhoods in Dallas where crime is low and everyone wants to live, this is an accurate list.
As we mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in Dallas aren't all good. Northwest Dallas takes the title of the worst neighborhood to live in Dallas.
We ranked the neighborhoods from best to worst in the chart below.
For more Texas reading, check out:
- Richest Cities In Texas
- Safest Places In Texas
- Best Cities For Singles In Texas
- Most Expensive Places To Live In Texas
Detailed List Of The Best Neighborhoods To Live In Dallas For 2020
| Rank | Neighborhood | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | University Park | 24,259 |
| 2 | Highland Park | 8,797 |
| 3 | North Dallas | 40,893 |
| 4 | Bluffview | 15,001 |
| 5 | Oak Lawn | 50,766 |
| 6 | Far North | 163,453 |
| 7 | M Streets | 34,572 |
| 8 | Main Street District | 987 |
| 9 | Government District | 850 |
| 10 | Preston Hollow | 83,392 |
| 11 | Farmers Market District | 1,688 |
| 12 | City Center District | 1,636 |
| 13 | West End Historic District | 874 |
| 14 | Reunion District | 834 |
| 15 | Northeast Dallas | 241,397 |
| 16 | Convention Center District | 920 |
| 17 | Near East | 11,216 |
| 18 | Oak Cliff | 32,091 |
| 19 | Winnetka Heights | 65,571 |
| 20 | Lake Highlands | 55,362 |
| 21 | Cockrell Hill | 4,240 |
| 22 | Southwest Dallas | 105,590 |
| 23 | Five Mile Creek | 6,598 |
| 24 | Love Field Area | 10,475 |
| 25 | Urbandale-Parkdale | 25,716 |
| 26 | Southeast Dallas | 134,095 |
| 27 | Wolf Creek | 36,321 |
| 28 | Eagle Ford | 27,680 |
| 29 | Cedar Crest | 63,686 |
| 30 | South Boulevard-Park Row | 26,359 |
| 31 | South Dallas | 28,901 |
| 32 | Northwest Dallas | 2,158 |
