University Park, Texas
Encyclopedia
University Park is a city in Dallas County
, Texas
, United States
, and a inner suburb of Dallas
. The population was 23,324 at the 2000 census. The city is home to Southern Methodist University
. Like its neighbor, Highland Park
, it is a city partially surrounded by the municipality of Dallas. Together, Highland Park and University Park form the Park Cities
, an enclave of Dallas.
Addresses in University Park use "Dallas, Texas" as the city designation; addresses do not have "University Park, Texas" designations.
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is land and 0.27% is water.
of 2000, there were 23,324 people, 8,005 households, and 5,291 families residing in the city. The population density
was 6,269.2 people per square mile (2,420.8/km2). There were 8,492 housing units at an average density of 2,282.5 per square mile (881.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.33% White, 1.43% African American, 0.22% Native American, 2.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.10% of the population.
In terms of formal education, University Park was Texas' best educated city, edging out Highland Park
, with 82.8% of adults age 25 years or older holding an associate degree or higher, and 80.5% of adult residents possessing a baccalaureate degree or higher.
There were 8,005 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 16.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
According to a 2007 estimate,
the median income for a household in the city was $151,418, and the median income for a family was $200,000+, making University Park the seventh most expensive neighbourhood in the USA. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $44,007 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $63,414. About 3.3% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
, 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 area’s homeowners first sought annexation
into the Town of Highland Park
, but were refused due to the high cost which would have been required to provide the necessary utility and safety services. Shortly thereafter, Dallas also refused a request for annexation on similar grounds.
Determined to confront the challenges before them, community leaders organized to incorporate as a separate individual city. According to state law, incorporation required that area residents hold an election on the issue before the new city could be officially formed and recognized. On April 24, 1924, voters approved the measure by a 5:1 margin. Operating under the commission form of government
, the city began the work of shaping the new government and addressing the pressing need to establish basic municipal services. To provide for the financial needs of the city, another election was held soon thereafter to authorize the issuance of municipal bond
s. Passing by a near unanimous margin, the $150,000 bond issue funded the installation of a new water supply system, street paving, and the construction of a new city hall and fire station. When first incorporated, the city encompassed 515 acres (2.1 km²), 380 homes, and 1200 residents.
As a result of efforts to build and improve the city, University Park grew to a population of over 20,000 residents by 1945 and had become one of the most prestigious locations in the area. In fact, the community's attractiveness and tax value had risen to such an extent that the city of Dallas now wanted to annex University Park into its boundaries. At the time of the election, even the Board of Commissioners favored the election. In the largest voter turnout to that date and still one of the largest in city history, the annexation was denied by a 53% to 47% margin.
In 1946 an election to adopt a Home Rule
Charter was held, but the measure failed and the city continued to operate as a General Law city. In 1989 voters approved a Home Rule Charter which officially adopted a council-manager form
of government and expanded the three member board of Commissioners into a five member city council.
Since the 1940s, the population and area of University Park have remained relatively stable at 22,000 residents and 2,350 acres (4.7 square miles). The city is now surrounded by Dallas on three sides and the Town of Highland Park to the south. The city’s unique character, high property values, and low tax rate have been steadily maintained.
. University Park is served by McCulloch Intermediate School and Highland Park Middle School, which share a campus located partially in Highland Park and partially in University Park, and Highland Park High School
in University Park. Two elementary schools in University Park, Hyer
and University Park
, and two elementary schools in Highland Park, Armstrong
and Bradfield
, serve sections of University Park.
is located in the city of University Park.
Dallas County Community College District
operates nearby community colleges.
The library opened on June 7, 2001 as the University Park Book Bank in Snider Plaza. Before this, the town had no library. Residents could pay to use the Highland Park Public Library or the Dallas Public Library. On April 1, 2002 the book bank became a municipal library.
Burleson Park was named after James B. Burleson, who served as the Mayor Pro-tem and the city commissioner. University Park mayor H. E. Yarbrough dedicated the park on September 5, 1947. Elena Children's Park was named after Mary Elena Franklin, a young girl who died at the age of three in an automobile accident on August 2, 1997. Over 500 corporations, families, and foundations contributed to the park.
The Holmes Aquatic Center, within Curtis Park, has a 50 metres (164 ft) pool, 1 metres (3.3 ft) and 3 metres (9.8 ft) diving boards, a water slide, and an accessibility ramp. The park also has a pool for younger children and a 1500 square foot "sprayground." University Park residents and residents of the Highland Park Independent School District
are permitted to use the park. The city operates six tennis courts available only to University Park residents. Parks with tennis courts include Burleson, Caruth, Curtis, Germany, Smith, and Williams.
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, and a inner suburb of Dallas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. The population was 23,324 at the 2000 census. The city is home to Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
. Like its neighbor, Highland Park
Highland Park, Texas
Highland Park is a town in central Dallas County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,842 at the 2000 census. Located between the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. Route 75 , four miles north of downtown Dallas....
, it is a city partially surrounded by the municipality of Dallas. Together, Highland Park and University Park form the Park Cities
Park Cities, Texas
Park Cities is a term commonly used in reference to two communities in Dallas County, Texas - the town of Highland Park and the city of University Park...
, an enclave of Dallas.
Addresses in University Park use "Dallas, Texas" as the city designation; addresses do not have "University Park, Texas" designations.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²), of which, 3.7 square miles (9.6 km²) of it is land and 0.27% is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 23,324 people, 8,005 households, and 5,291 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 6,269.2 people per square mile (2,420.8/km2). There were 8,492 housing units at an average density of 2,282.5 per square mile (881.4/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.33% White, 1.43% African American, 0.22% Native American, 2.23% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.93% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.10% of the population.
In terms of formal education, University Park was Texas' best educated city, edging out Highland Park
Highland Park, Texas
Highland Park is a town in central Dallas County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,842 at the 2000 census. Located between the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. Route 75 , four miles north of downtown Dallas....
, with 82.8% of adults age 25 years or older holding an associate degree or higher, and 80.5% of adult residents possessing a baccalaureate degree or higher.
There were 8,005 households out of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.26.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.2% under the age of 18, 16.4% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 7.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.1 males.
According to a 2007 estimate,
the median income for a household in the city was $151,418, and the median income for a family was $200,000+, making University Park the seventh most expensive neighbourhood in the USA. Males had a median income of $100,000 versus $44,007 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $63,414. About 3.3% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.9% of those under age 18 and 1.8% of those age 65 or over.
History
University Park began as a cluster of homes surrounding the fledgling Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
, which was founded in the then-rural Dallas County
Dallas County, Texas
As of the census of 2000, there were 2,218,899 people, 807,621 households, and 533,837 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,523 people per square mile . There were 854,119 housing units at an average density of 971/sq mi...
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 area’s homeowners first sought annexation
Annexation
Annexation is the de jure incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity . Usually, it is implied that the territory and population being annexed is the smaller, more peripheral, and weaker of the two merging entities, barring physical size...
into the Town of Highland Park
Highland Park, Texas
Highland Park is a town in central Dallas County, Texas, United States. The population was 8,842 at the 2000 census. Located between the Dallas North Tollway and U.S. Route 75 , four miles north of downtown Dallas....
, but were refused due to the high cost which would have been required to provide the necessary utility and safety services. Shortly thereafter, Dallas also refused a request for annexation on similar grounds.
Determined to confront the challenges before them, community leaders organized to incorporate as a separate individual city. According to state law, incorporation required that area residents hold an election on the issue before the new city could be officially formed and recognized. On April 24, 1924, voters approved the measure by a 5:1 margin. Operating under the commission form of government
City commission government
City commission government is a form of municipal government which once was common in the United States, but many cities which were formerly governed by commission have since switched to the council-manager form of government...
, the city began the work of shaping the new government and addressing the pressing need to establish basic municipal services. To provide for the financial needs of the city, another election was held soon thereafter to authorize the issuance of municipal bond
Municipal bond
A municipal bond is a bond issued by a city or other local government, or their agencies. Potential issuers of municipal bonds includes cities, counties, redevelopment agencies, special-purpose districts, school districts, public utility districts, publicly owned airports and seaports, and any...
s. Passing by a near unanimous margin, the $150,000 bond issue funded the installation of a new water supply system, street paving, and the construction of a new city hall and fire station. When first incorporated, the city encompassed 515 acres (2.1 km²), 380 homes, and 1200 residents.
As a result of efforts to build and improve the city, University Park grew to a population of over 20,000 residents by 1945 and had become one of the most prestigious locations in the area. In fact, the community's attractiveness and tax value had risen to such an extent that the city of Dallas now wanted to annex University Park into its boundaries. At the time of the election, even the Board of Commissioners favored the election. In the largest voter turnout to that date and still one of the largest in city history, the annexation was denied by a 53% to 47% margin.
In 1946 an election to adopt a Home Rule
Home rule
Home rule is the power of a constituent part of a state to exercise such of the state's powers of governance within its own administrative area that have been devolved to it by the central government....
Charter was held, but the measure failed and the city continued to operate as a General Law city. In 1989 voters approved a Home Rule Charter which officially adopted a council-manager form
Council-manager government
The council–manager government form is one of two predominant forms of municipal government in the United States; the other common form of local government is the mayor-council government form, which characteristically occurs in large cities...
of government and expanded the three member board of Commissioners into a five member city council.
Since the 1940s, the population and area of University Park have remained relatively stable at 22,000 residents and 2,350 acres (4.7 square miles). The city is now surrounded by Dallas on three sides and the Town of Highland Park to the south. The city’s unique character, high property values, and low tax rate have been steadily maintained.
Public schools
University Park is served by the Highland Park Independent School DistrictHighland Park Independent School District
Highland Park Independent School District is a public school district based in University Park, Texas, United States.HPISD serves most of the city of Highland Park, all of the city of University Park, and portions of Dallas. HPISD administers seven schools...
. University Park is served by McCulloch Intermediate School and Highland Park Middle School, which share a campus located partially in Highland Park and partially in University Park, and Highland Park High School
Highland Park High School (University Park, Texas)
Highland Park High School is located in University Park, Texas.Highland Park is a part of the Highland Park Independent School District. It serves all of the city of University Park, most of the town of Highland Park, and portions of Dallas.-History:...
in University Park. Two elementary schools in University Park, Hyer
Hyer Elementary School
Robert S. Hyer Elementary School is a public primary school located at 3920 Caruth Boulevard in University Park, Texas, United States. The school, a part of the Highland Park Independent School District, serves pre-Kindergarten through 4th Grade...
and University Park
University Park Elementary School (Texas)
University Park Elementary School is a public primary school located at 3505 Amherst Avenue in University Park, Texas, United States. The school, a part of the Highland Park Independent School District, serves pre-Kindergarten through 4th Grade...
, and two elementary schools in Highland Park, Armstrong
Armstrong Elementary School (Highland Park, Texas)
John S. Armstrong Elementary School is a public primary school located at 3600 Cornell Avenue in Highland Park, Texas, United States. The school, a part of the Highland Park Independent School District, serves pre-Kindergarten through 4th Grade...
and Bradfield
Bradfield Elementary School
John S. Bradfield Elementary School is a public primary school located at 4300 Southern Avenue in Highland Park, Texas, United States. The school, a part of the Highland Park Independent School District, serves pre-Kindergarten through 4th Grade. The school serves sections of Highland Park, and...
, serve sections of University Park.
Colleges and universities
Southern Methodist UniversitySouthern Methodist University
Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1911 by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, SMU operates campuses in Dallas, Plano, and Taos, New Mexico. SMU is owned by the South Central Jurisdiction of the United Methodist Church...
is located in the city of University Park.
Dallas County Community College District
Dallas County Community College District
The Dallas County Community College District is a network of seven community colleges in Dallas County, Texas . It is headquartered at 1601 South Lamar in Dallas....
operates nearby community colleges.
Public libraries
The University Park Public Library is located on the first floor of a Chase Bank building at the southern end of Snider Plaza, at the intersection of Daniel and Hillcrest. The owner of the building, Albert Huddleston, charges the city $1 per year to use the building space, as of 2009.Parks and recreation
The City of University Park operates several parks. They include Burleson Park, Caruth Park, Coffee Park, Curtis Park, Elena's Children's Park, Germany Park, Goar Park, Linear Park, Smith Park, and Williams Park.Burleson Park was named after James B. Burleson, who served as the Mayor Pro-tem and the city commissioner. University Park mayor H. E. Yarbrough dedicated the park on September 5, 1947. Elena Children's Park was named after Mary Elena Franklin, a young girl who died at the age of three in an automobile accident on August 2, 1997. Over 500 corporations, families, and foundations contributed to the park.
The Holmes Aquatic Center, within Curtis Park, has a 50 metres (164 ft) pool, 1 metres (3.3 ft) and 3 metres (9.8 ft) diving boards, a water slide, and an accessibility ramp. The park also has a pool for younger children and a 1500 square foot "sprayground." University Park residents and residents of the Highland Park Independent School District
Highland Park Independent School District
Highland Park Independent School District is a public school district based in University Park, Texas, United States.HPISD serves most of the city of Highland Park, all of the city of University Park, and portions of Dallas. HPISD administers seven schools...
are permitted to use the park. The city operates six tennis courts available only to University Park residents. Parks with tennis courts include Burleson, Caruth, Curtis, Germany, Smith, and Williams.
External links
- City of University Park
- University Park Real Estate
- Descriptions and Photographs of Every University Park Neighborhood
- University Park Online News and Discussions from BubbleLife
- University Park, Texas at the Handbook of TexasHandbook of TexasThe Handbook of Texas is a comprehensive encyclopedia of Texas geography, history, and historical persons published by the Texas State Historical Association .-History:...