hidden gems in DFW

2 Fort Worth suburbs make list of America's most livable small cities

Events like the Mansfield Music Alley Music & Arts Festival make it an appealing small city to live in.

Photo courtesy of Mansfield Music Alley Music & Arts Festival

Some Fort Worth suburbs stick out from the rest thanks to their happy (or affluent) residents, and now Mansfield is getting time in the spotlight.

The tiny but mighty city 20 miles southeast of Fort Worth was one of six Texas cities to earn a top-100 ranking in SmartAsset's 2024 "Most Livable Small Cities" report.

The report compared 281 U.S. cities with populations between 65,000 and 100,000 residents across eight metrics, such as a resident's housing costs as a percentage of household income, the city's average commute times, and the proportions of entertainment, food service, and healthcare establishments.

Mansfield came in at a respectable No. 69.

According to Mansfield's website, the city's population adds up to more than 73,000, and the majority of residents (96.1 percent) live above the poverty level. The median income for a Mansfield household comes out to more than $112,000 a year, and annual housing costs only represent 19.8 percent of that household's income.

The city's noticeable growth has not gone unnoticed, drawing the attention of beloved Texas supermarket H-E-B, which opened its first Mansfield location at the end of June. But nothing can take away the city's small-town feel and hospitality.

"With a quality of life considered to be one of the best in the Metroplex, Mansfield offers more than 900 acres of parkland, a historic downtown area, recreational opportunities for young and old, superior rated schools, quality housing and a growing business community," the city's website says.

Mansfield also hosts two of the biggest blowout events every year: The Music Alley Music & Arts Festival, and the long-running Fourth of July celebration.

Here's how SmartAsset breaks down Mansfield's ranking in two other metrics in the study:

1.4 percent – Proportion of arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses as a percentage of all businesses
26.7 minutes – Worker's average commute time

"Small cities may offer cost benefits for residents looking to stretch their income while enjoying a comfortable – and more spacious – lifestyle," the report's author wrote. "While livability is a subjective concept that may take on different definitions for different people, some elements of a community can come close to being universally beneficial."

The most livable small city in Texas
Elsewhere around Dallas-Fort Worth, Flower Mound ranked as the 29th most livable small city nationwide, and No. 1 in Texas.

Flower Mound has a population of over 81,000 residents whose average household income comes out to $189,356, the town's website says. SmartAsset calculated that the annual housing costs of a Flower Mound only take up 18.2 percent of that household's income. Additionally, the study found only 3.9 percent of the town's population lives below the poverty level.

(Fun fact: Flower Mound routinely makes WalletHub's annual list of cities whose residents have the jolliest holiday budgets.)

"With more than 40 percent of residents between the ages of 25 and 54 and more than 64 percent of residents 25 and older earning a bachelor's degree or higher, this community is young and highly educated, making it an ideal workforce," the town's website says.

Flower Mound, Stone Creek Park Flower Mound is known for its outdoorsy offerings in places like Stone Creek Park. Facebook/Flower Mound Parks and Recreation

Here's how Flower Mound performed in two other metrics in the study:

1.7 percent – Proportion of arts, entertainment, and recreation businesses as a percentage of all businesses
26.3 minutes – Worker's average commute time

But income and housing aren't the only things that make Flower Mound the most livable small city in Texas. Residents benefit from its central location between Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as its proximity to the DFW International Airport. However, the town prides itself on its spacious park system, playgrounds, and other recreational activities.

"Flower Mound has nearly 1,000 acres of parkland, including more than 75 miles of hike, bike, and equestrian trails, numerous athletic fields, 57 parks, and 37 unique playgrounds," the website says. "[Flower Mound is] centrally located between Grapevine Lake and Lake Lewisville, providing access to miles of beautiful shoreline for outdoor activities."

The top 10 most livable small cities in the U.S. are:

No. 1 – Troy, Michigan
No. 2 – Rochester Hills, Michigan
No. 3 – Eau Claire, Wisconsin
No. 4 – Franklin, Tennessee
No. 5 – Redmond, Washington
No. 6 – Appleton, Wisconsin
No. 7 – Apex, North Carolina
No. 8 – Plymouth, Minnesota
No. 9 – Livonia, Michigan
No. 10 – Oshkosh, Wisconsin

The report examined data from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2022 1-year American Community Survey and the 2021 County Business Patterns Survey to determine its rankings.

The report and its methodology can be found on smartasset.com.

dallas fort worth flower mound smartasset reports rankings suburbs mansfield

Fire News

New Fort Worth restaurant HG Sply Co. catches fire days after it opens

Photo courtesy of HG Sply Co.

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A fire broke out at a restaurant that just opened in Fort Worth: The north Fort Worth location of HG Sply Co. caught on fire on November 15 — mere days after the restaurant opened in Alliance Town Center at 3351 Texas Sage Trail.

Restaurant management stated that they noticed the smell of smoke and smoke from vents as they were evacuating the restaurant. The Fort Worth Fire Department responded to the fire at the restaurant-bar at 12:55 pm.

"FWFD is working a multiple alarm commercial structure fire in the 3300 block of Texas Sage Trail," the department said. "This is an active fire as of 12:55PM and details are limited. If at all possible, please avoid this area as there are several fire apparatus and personnel on scene."

It was a two-alarm fire that caused damage to the chimney and injured one firefighter, who was treated for injuries at the scene and transported to a local clinic for evaluation. The fire has since been contained.

According to a Fort Worth Fire Department public information officer, there was an accidental fire in the chimney, which spread to the attic. Fox 4 had overhead footage showing two firetrucks on the scene, as well as a shot of the chimney, blackened by soot.

Management reported to the fire department that 40-50 employees and 35 customers were able to safely exit the building without injuries. A re-opening date has not been announced, but an employee said it would probably not be long.

"Yes, some water and smoke damage — fire damage, thankfully was from the fireplace structure," the employee said. "As our team get things cleaned up. We will be working hard to reopen asap."

HG Supply Co. was founded in Dallas in 2013, and has two other locations, in west Fort Worth and Trophy Club. Coincidentally, this new location just made CultureMap's monthly list of "Where to eat in Fort Worth right now."