Dallas Leads Big U.S. Cities in Vacant Land, Fort Worth Is 2nd, Survey Shows (2024)

In a recent survey of big cities, Dallas leads the nation in vacant land. Another found a quarter of downtown Dallas covered in parking lots.

The Dallas Morning News reported that the firm Yardi Systems put Dallas at the top of the vacant property list with 90,739 vacant acres.Fort Worth was second among big cities with 74,835 vacant acres.

Some people may see the vacant space as a sign of stagnation or decay. But Dallas boosters see it as opportunity for new development in the booming North Texas region.

Some of the downtown surface parking lots are places where buildings once stood that have been waiting for years to support new structures.

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In Uptown Dallas, very few surface parking lots remain, with big new development towering over everything.

“While we wish that every lot in Downtown Dallas was absolutely perfect today, we see it as a unique opportunity,” said Jennifer Scripps the president and CEO of the business group Downtown Dallas Inc which promotes the city's center.

Twenty years ago, many downtown buildings were vacant.Now, they’ve all been put to new use, so the parking lots are next.

“We know of six major projects already in the pipeline, so most of these parking lots are already spoken for,” Scripps said.

A big parking lot just south of Dallas City Hall is slated for a big high-rise project by the same developer planning a big mixed-use project on vacant land in Southern Dallas land near the University of North Texas at Dallas campus.

Most of the vacant Dallas land is in the southern sector.

Dallas Leads Big U.S. Cities in Vacant Land, Fort Worth Is 2nd, Survey Shows (4)

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Dallas Regional Chamber Senior Vice President of Inclusion and Community Engagement Latosha Herron Bruff concentrates her efforts on that area.

“I love the fact we have an eye on Southern Dallas and Southern Dallas County because it is a place full of potential,” she said.

The group Parking Reform Network found around 24% of Downtown Dallas used for parking, but scored that better than some big cities in a parking space comparison.

Warehouses have taken substantial pieces of vacant land in Southern Dallas and Fort Worth in a surge of industrial construction in recent years.

The Dallas Regional Chamber expert seeks more rounded growth of southern Dallas.

“It is a very central location, but it also provides a lot of the assets that not only companies are looking for but people are looking for,” she said.

Both the chamber and downtown business boosters are pushing hard to fill the vacant spaces.

Dallas Leads Big U.S. Cities in Vacant Land, Fort Worth Is 2nd, Survey Shows (2024)

FAQs

Dallas Leads Big U.S. Cities in Vacant Land, Fort Worth Is 2nd, Survey Shows? ›

With 90,739 acres of vacant land, Dallas led all 20 of the most populous urban centers in the U.S. for having the most vacant land available. That's according to a report from CommercialCafe, a commercial real estate internet listing service. Fort Worth followed at No. 2 with 74,835 acres of vacant land.

Which city is bigger Fort Worth or Dallas? ›

Both cities have roughly the same area in square miles– Ft. Worth being slightly larger. In other words, Dallas is about 45% more densely crowded than Ft. Worth.

What is the difference between Fort Worth and Dallas? ›

Fort Worth is known to be more casual and easy-going than Dallas, has less traffic and is easier to navigate. Dallas tends to be more expensive, urban and busy. Most visitors and residents don't have the same “Texas feel” in downtown Dallas as they might in Fort Worth.

Is it better to stay in Dallas or Fort Worth? ›

Luxury property, or just somewhere to spend the night? I favor Fort Worth, Dallas is a nice big city but Fort Worth has the stockyards, better BBQ and a great Texas oriented museum district. Stay in downtown Fort Worth. The TRE runs during the days you are here, so you have affordable access to both cities.

What is the cost of living in Dallas vs Fort Worth? ›

In 2022, the consumer prices in Fort Worth, TX, were 6.07% lower than in Dallas, without factoring in rent. Overall restaurant prices were 23.00% lower, and grocery prices were 3.40% lower than in Dallas. Housing, food, and entertainment costs all tend to be lower in Cowtown than in Dallas.

Will Fort Worth ever be bigger than Dallas? ›

Fort Worth, with just below 957,000 in population, is the 13th-largest city in the country, just behind, San Jose, California, Jacksonville, Florida, and Austin. The city is projected to eclipse one million in population by 2030 and surpass Dallas by 2045, according to U.S. Census Bureau forecasts.

How big is Dallas compared to other U.S. cities? ›

It is the most populous city in and seat of Dallas County with portions extending into Collin, Denton, Kaufman, and Rockwall counties. With a 2020 census population of 1,304,379, it is the ninth-most populous city in the U.S. and the third-most populous city in Texas after Houston and San Antonio.

Is Dallas or Houston better? ›

Overall, Dallas is a powerhouse for those in technology and finance, while Houston's strength lies in energy, healthcare, and aerospace. This information can help guide professionals in choosing the city that best aligns with their career aspirations and expertise.

Where is the richest part of Dallas Fort Worth? ›

Overview of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. Ranking of the top wealthiest areas, including Parker Lucas, Southlake, Highland Park, University Park, Westover Hills, and Westlake.

Is Dallas cheap or expensive? ›

In conclusion, for a single person, the Dallas cost of living average, for 2023 is estimated to be around $2,489 per month, covering various expenses like housing, utilities, insurance, taxes, and more. For a family of four, the average cost of living in Dallas TX is $5,949.

What area of Fort Worth is the best to live in? ›

Wedgwood is the perfect Fort Worth neighborhood for you and your family. As one of the best places to raise kids in Fort Worth, this neighborhood boasts a safe, quiet lifestyle while still offering plenty of shopping, dining, and other things to do.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Fort Worth Texas? ›

According to a new SmartAsset report, single adults living in Fort Worth and Arlington require a $94,765 yearly salary in order to live comfortably in 2024. That figure represents a jaw-dropping $30,023 more than they needed in 2023, when Fort Worth-area residents needed to make $64,742 a year to live comfortably.

Is Dallas-Fort Worth bigger than Manhattan? ›

At 17,207 acres (26.89 sq mi; 69.63 km2), DFW is the second-largest airport by land area in the United States after Denver International Airport covering an area larger than Manhattan in New York City.

Is Dallas or Fort Worth safer? ›

Fort Worth has a lower crime rate than other major cities in Texas, including Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio. Most Fort Worth violent crime is concentrated in a few areas that you should avoid. If you know where to look, Fort Worth is a safe place to live, with many safe neighborhoods to choose from.

Where does Fort Worth rank as the largest city? ›

According to a 2022 United States census estimate, Fort Worth's population was 956,709, the 5th-most populous in the state and the 13th-most populous in the United States.

Is Dallas Fort Worth or Houston bigger? ›

Technically speaking, Houston is roughly twice the size of Dallas, both in terms of land area and population. Dallas covers about 386 square miles, with a population of 1.288 million people. Houston covers 662 square miles and has a population of 2.288 million people.

Is Fort Worth the fifth largest city in Texas? ›

Home to the historic Stockyards, the Dallas Fort Worth International Airport and the award-winning Dickies Arena, Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in Texas and 13th biggest in the United States.

Is Dallas Fort Worth bigger than Chicago? ›

State of play: Even with Chicago's population losses, the city proper still has more people than Dallas. Dallas and Fort Worth's combined 2.3 million residents fall short of Chicago's nearly 2.7 million.

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