The 5 best neighborhoods for families in Dallas

Thao Tram Ngo

13 Apr 2023

Skyscrappers and green spaces in Dallas where families can go visit

We used our proprietary Location Scores to rank the neighborhoods in Dallas, Texas based on the following family-friendly characteristics: quiet, pedestrian-friendly, parks, groceries, elementary schools, and high schools.

Here’s our list of the best neighborhoods for families in Dallas:

  1. Bishop Arts District
  2. Uptown
  3. Knox Henderson
  4. Lake Highlands
  5. Lakewood

Quantifying the characteristics of Dallas’ urban neighborhoods

Getting a sense of Dallas through location data

Local Logic delivers location intelligence solutions that help investors and home buyers find opportunities that suit their preferences. By analyzing thousands of data points, we provide insights at the street and neighborhood level with 18 proprietary Location Scores.

Using Location Scores, homebuyers can assess a neighborhood by learning about nearby amenities and mobility patterns. Our location insights help you find properties that meet specific criteria, such as proximity to schools and quiet neighborhoods, and make a more informed decision when choosing a home.

Benchmarking neighborhood scores against Dallas’ average scores

Below you’ll find the Location Scores for the best Dallas neighborhoods for families as well as the city’s average. We analyzed the locations by the following family-friendly scores:

  • Quiet: Level of noise nearby
  • Pedestrian-friendly: Represents how many stores and institutions are nearby and how pleasant it is to walk to them
  • Parks: Quantity and area of parks nearby
  • Groceries: Distance to closest grocery store and quantity of grocery stores nearby
  • Elementary Schools: Distance to closest elementary school
  • High Schools: Distance to closest high school

Then, we ranked each neighborhood by a composite score of all these factors.

Here are the average scores for Dallas:

  • Quiet: 5.7 — Some sources of noise nearby.
  • Pedestrian-friendly: 4.6 — Few day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
  • Parks: 7.4 — ​​Large amount of park space nearby.
  • Groceries: 4.6 — At least one grocery store within a 30-minute walk.
  • Elementary Schools: 6.1 — At least one elementary school within a 20-minute walk.
  • High Schools: 3.2 — At least one high school within a 30-minute walk.

👪 Composite score for family-friendliness: 5.3

Ranking urban Dallas’ most family-friendly neighborhoods

Here’s our data-informed list of urban Dallas’ most family-friendly neighborhoods:

1. Bishop Arts District

Map of Bishop Arts District in Dallas, Texas

  • Quiet: 7.0 — Few sources of noise nearby
  • Pedestrian-friendly: 7.4 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
  • Parks: 7.3 — Large amount of park space nearby.
  • Groceries: 8.9 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk.
  • Elementary Schools: 9.5 — At least one elementary school within a 5-minute walk.
  • High Schools: .6 — At least one high school within a 10-minute walk.

👪 Composite score for family-friendliness: 8.1

Nestled in the heart of Oak Cliff, the Bishop Arts District is a vibrant and pedestrian-friendly neighborhood that offers a unique mix of historic charm and modern amenities. This neighborhood boasts of quiet streets with tree-lined sidewalks, perfect for family strolls. Several parks, including Lake Cliff Park, also provide plenty of green spaces and recreational opportunities outdoors.

Families can enjoy browsing through local boutiques, art galleries, and dining at family-friendly restaurants, such as Paradiso. Bishop Arts District is also home to some excellent schools, including the highly-rated Rosemont Elementary School and Sunset High School, making it an ideal neighborhood in Dallas for young families with school-aged children.

2. Uptown

Map of Uptown in Dallas, Texas

  • Quiet: 4.5 — Multiple sources of noise nearby.
  • Pedestrian-friendly: 8.8 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
  • Parks8.7 — Large amount of park space nearby.
  • Groceries: 8.8 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk.
  • Elementary Schools: 8.2 — At least one elementary school within a 10-minute walk.
  • High Schools: 8.2 — At least one high school within a 10-minute walk.

👪 Composite score for family-friendliness: 7.9

Uptown is a great place for people who enjoy vibrant atmospheres and spending time outdoors. Located just north of downtown Dallas, Uptown is a bustling urban neighborhood with a family-friendly vibe. It offers a mix of residential and commercial areas, with many walkable streets, making it easy for families to get around. In this neighborhood, kids can enjoy playgrounds, green spaces, and splash pads at parks such as Griggs Park and Klyde Warren Park.

Uptown is also home to some top-rated schools, including the Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and a variety of grocery stores, making it convenient for families to meet their daily needs. Moreover, his neigborhood is filled with many activities that parents and their children will enjoy. Uptown offers a range of family-friendly attractions, such as the Dallas World AquariumPerot Museum of Nature and Science, and the Katy Trail, giving families plenty of entertainment options.

3. Knox/Henderson

Map of Knox Henderson in Dallas, Texas

  • Quiet: 4.6 — Multiple sources of noise nearby.
  • Pedestrian-friendly: 8.0 — All day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
  • Parks: 8.8 — Large amount of park space nearby.
  • Groceries: 8.1 — At least one grocery store within a few minutes’ walk.
  • Elementary Schools: 8.0 — At least one elementary school within a 10-minute walk.
  • High Schools: 6.6 — At least one high school within a 20-minute walk.

👪 Composite score for family-friendliness: 7.4

Located in the heart of Dallas, Knox/Henderson is a trendy and vibrant neighborhood that is popular among familie. The neighborhood offers a mix of single-family homes and apartments, with tree-lined streets and sidewalks, perfect for families who enjoy taking walks or riding bikes. Knox/Henderson is home to several parks, such as Glencoe Park and Garrett Park, which offer playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas for family outings.

A number of highly-rated schools, such as Geneva Heights Elementary and J.L. Long Middle School, are also located in this neighborhood, making it a great area for young families to move into. For a small city excursion, parents can bring their kids to the Knox/Henderson shopping district nearby, where they can find a variety of boutique shops, restaurants, and cafes.

4. Lake Highlands

Map of Lake Highlands in Dallas, Texas

  • Quiet: 7.3 — Few sources of noise nearby.
  • Pedestrian-friendly: 5.3 — Some day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
  • Parks: 7.7 — Large amount of park space nearby.
  • Groceries: 6.0  — At least one grocery store within a 15-minute walk.
  • Elementary Schools: 9.1 — At least one elementary school within a 5-minute walk.
  • High Schools: 7.7 — At least one high school within a 10-minute walk.

👪 Composite score for family-friendliness: 7.2

Located in northeast Dallas, Lake Highlands is a serene and family-friendly neighborhood that offers a suburban feel with easy access to the city. Lake Highlands is known for its quiet streets, well-maintained parks, and excellent schools, making it a popular choice for families. People who prefer a calm atmosphere will enjoy living in this neighborhood.

The majority of public green spaces, such as Watercrest Park and Lake Highlands North, are very well-spread out and easy to reach. Lake Highlands is also home to White Rock Lake, which offers numerous recreational activities such as boating, hiking, and biking, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

There are top-rated schools in the area, including Lake Highlands Elementary School and Lake Highlands High School, making it an excellent neighborhood for young families to raise their children in Dallas. Grocery stores and other amenities are also within walking distance, so families can meet their daily needs more conveniently.

5. Lakewood

Map of Lakewood in Dallas, Texas

  • Quiet: 8.5 — Few sources of noise nearby.
  • Pedestrian-friendly: 5.3 — Some day-to-day needs are within walking distance.
  • Parks: 8.9 —​​ Large amount of park space nearby.
  • Groceries: 6.1 — At least one grocery store within a 15-minute walk.
  • Elementary Schools: 7.7 — At least one elementary school within a 10-minute walk.
  • High Schools: 5.3 — At least one high school within a 20-minute walk.

👪 Composite score for family-friendliness: 7.0

Located east of downtown Dallas, Lakewood is a picturesque and family-friendly neighborhood known for its beautiful homes, tree-lined streets, and close-knit community feel. For families who prefer a relaxed atmosphere, Lakewood is an excellent neighborhood to buy a house in. Most areas in this part of the city are very quiet, as the streets are usually very peaceful.

With easy access to White Rock Lake, families can enjoy plenty of recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, and boating. Lakewood is also home to several parks, such as Lakewood Park and Tokalon Park, which offer playgrounds, sports fields, and picnic areas. In terms of school options, the neighborhood boasts of highly-rated establishments, including Lakewood Elementary School and Woodrow Wilson High School, making it a popular choice among families with children.

Finding the right neighborhood in Dallas for your family

You can find our Location Scores on many of our partners’ sites within their real estate listings in Dallas through Local Content. Whether you are looking for a new home, or an entirely new neighborhood, you can search for specific characteristics on each listing to find the ideal place for your family.

Curious about how other neighborhoods (or cities!) might fare?
Try the Insights Atlas to get in-depth location insights on any neighborhood, city, or address in the US and Canada.