Living in University Park, Texas

University Park

SMU, Snider Plaza and ten city parks in the Park Cities.

CountyDallas

Population25,5742025

Typical home value$2,796,168Redfin median sale price, Sep 2026

Combined tax rate1.5873%before exemptions

Downtown Fort Worth32 mistraight line

DFW Airport15 mistraight line

What it's like

The short version

University Park covers about 3.7 square miles in Dallas County around Southern Methodist University, founded in 1915. The city incorporated in 1924. Snider Plaza serves as its town square, and the city runs ten parks, including the Holmes Aquatic Center at Curtis Park.

What's for sale

Homes sold at a median near $2.8 million in September 2026. Homes in Redfin's Park Cities area sold at a median near $2.85 million in August 2026, on 95 sales.

What it does well

Strong here

Established neighborhoods●●●
SMU dates to 1915, and the city incorporated in 1924.
Luxury homes●●●
Redfin puts the median sale price near $2.8 million.
Transit options●●○
DART buses run Preston Road and SMU shuttles, with two rail stations just across Central Expressway.
Quiet, small-town pace●●○
Snider Plaza works as a town square, with a yearly tree lighting.
Vibrant, big-city energy●●○
SMU draws more than 32,000 fans per home game, and the Bush Center and Meadows Museum sit on campus.
A real downtown●●○
Snider Plaza, built around the Rufus "Buddy" Porter Fountain, serves as the town square.
Restaurants●●○
Kuby's and Bubba's anchor Snider Plaza, with NorthPark about two miles away.
Shopping●●○
Snider Plaza has boutiques, jewelers and wellness shops.
Parks and trails●●○
The city runs ten parks, including Curtis Park and the 50-meter Holmes Aquatic Center.

The honest part

What to know first

DART service is mainly bus, with the SMU/Mockingbird and Lovers Lane stations just across Central Expressway.
The whole city covers about 3.7 square miles.
Tennis courts at city parks are limited to University Park residents.

Not its strength: walkable, nightlife, lake days, golf, land and acreage, horses welcome.

Not rated yet: new construction. That means I haven't confirmed it either way, not that it isn't here.

Explore it yourself

See what's around

See this search in Google Maps

Get outside

Curtis Park
Tennis courts, a fishing pond, a playground, a walking trail and the Holmes Aquatic Center with a 50-meter pool and diving boards.
Caruth Park
A city park on Hillcrest with a pond.
Centennial Park
Formerly Goar Park, with a gazebo and fountain next to City Hall.
Burleson Park
A city park on University Boulevard with tennis courts.
Laura W. Bush Native Texas Park
A native garden on the grounds of the George W. Bush Presidential Center.

Eat and drink

Kuby's
A German restaurant and market in Snider Plaza known for homemade sausages.
Bubba's
A Snider Plaza spot with West Texas-influenced dishes, open for more than four decades.

Shop and errands

Snider Plaza
Boutiques and jewelers around the Rufus "Buddy" Porter Fountain, including The Impeccable Pig, Cotton Island and Craig Lawrence Jewelry.

On the calendar

SMU football
Home games at Gerald J. Ford Stadium run from August to December.
Snider Plaza Tree Lighting
A holiday tradition in the plaza.
George W. Bush Presidential Center
Rotating exhibitions and events on the SMU campus.

Taxes

2025 combined rate per $100 with Highland Park ISD: city 0.218565, Dallas County 0.215500, Parkland Hospital 0.212000, Dallas College 0.106575, Highland Park ISD 0.834700. Homestead not applied. Tarrant Regional Water District is not included.

School facts

Highland Park ISD: TEA rating A, 2024-25

Do your own homework

Take it with you

Want this on paper?

Get the printable University Park report sent to your email.

Sources