Highland Village is a city in Denton County, Texas. It is a suburb of Dallas, hugging the south side of the far western branch of Lewisville Lake. As of the 2010 census the city’s population was 15,056. Highland Village was incorporated in February 1963 after approximately 100 lakeside residents decided to make their homes permanent. Many of the early residents were professionals from the Dallas area who wanted to “get away” for the weekend and enjoyed it so much they moved to what became Highland Village.

The city included 516 residents in the 1970 census, but the opening of the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport helped spur massive growth in the city’s population: 3,246 in 1980, 7,027 in 1990, 12,173 in 2000, and 15,056 in 2010. The city remains a primarily residential area, though more business development is occurring. As of the 2010 census, there were 15,602 people residing in the city.

Highland Village voted to become a member of the Denton County Transportation Authority (DCTA) in September 2003. It is currently served with Commuter Express coach service to Denton and downtown Dallas. DCTA initiated bus service in Highland Village in January 2008. In 2011, the Highland Village/Lewisville Lake Station opened as a commuter rail station on DCTA’s A-train.

Highland Village is served by the Lewisville Independent School District which has three elementary schools and one middle school located in the city. Edward S. Marcus High School, located in Flower Mound but near Highland Village, is the city’s principal high school.

The Highland Village Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to improving and maintaining the quality of life in Highland Village by providing safe and attractive parks, trails, facilities, and recreational opportunities. They have established recreation programs and a fantastic park system for the citizens that provides them with a source of pleasure and opportunity for healthy activities.

The department is responsible for maintaining over 335 acres of public parkland within the City limits, including 20 City-owned or leased park sites. The department maintains 23.6 acres of multi-use trails that wind throughout the city and provides many other services to the community. They sponsor special events including concerts, movies in the park, campouts, photo contests, wellness fairs and festivals. They provide year-round recreational programming, including athletic leagues, tennis classes, fitness runs, etc. for all ages. The department facilitates group activities through rental of pavilions, athletic fields, tennis courts, and the Community Center and they offer community education classes and programs for seniors.

According to the book, A History and Heritage of Highland Village, “Modern-day Highland Village morphed from a small, rural town into a suburban city seemingly overnight in the 1970’s. The lifestyle here was based upon a distinct blend of rural Texans’ aspirations and perspectives and the wishes of some wealthy Dallasites to ‘get away from it all.’ The desire was to become part of something related to the Dallas lifestyle but distinctly more relaxed and ‘real’ in the sense of seeking to enjoy nature and live closer to the land.

The founding residents of Highland Village fell in love with the area and, whether intentional or not, Highland Village was incorporated as an official city on Valentine’s Day in 1963. Between 1975-1985, the City grew from approximately 1,000 to 5,000 and became a Home Rule City in 1986. It is said, that many years ago, this area was a popular hideout for Sam Bass, a notorious highwayman who liked the beauty and privacy of the many trees and hills.

Additional Helpful Links:

City of Highland Village – https://www.highlandvillage.org/

Lewisville ISD – https://www.lisd.net/

Demographics – http://www.city-data.com/city/Highland-Village-Texas.html