Living in North Richland Hills, Texas

The short answer: North Richland Hills is one of the closest suburbs to Fort Worth, about eight miles northeast of downtown by the Texas State Historical Association's measure. It is a larger, established city with its own city-owned water park and a long suburban history. It is worth a look if you want a shorter trip to downtown Fort Worth than the farther-out suburbs offer.

North Richland Hills at a glance

These are the facts I could confirm from published sources.

  • According to the Texas State Historical Association, North Richland Hills is eight miles west of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and eight miles northeast of downtown Fort Worth, in northeastern Tarrant County, on State Highways 26, 183 and 820.

  • TSHA says the city was incorporated on April 25, 1953, and that the area was farmland until 1950, when a developer began turning it into a residential community.

  • TSHA lists the city's population as 55,635 in 2000 and 69,917 in 2020.

  • According to the City of North Richland Hills, NRH2O Family Water Park opened in 1995, is the first municipal water park in Texas, and covers 17 acres with 23 slides. The city owns the park.

  • TSHA noted that by 1990 the Birdville Independent School District operated schools within the city. School assignments change, so confirm current boundaries by address.

How North Richland Hills compares with living in Fort Worth

North Richland Hills is its own city, not a Fort Worth neighborhood, with its own government, services and rates. That means comparing a home here with a home in Fort Worth means comparing the full monthly cost, not only the price.

Because it is so close to Fort Worth, it often sits in the same search as the north Fort Worth pockets, Keller and Watauga-area homes. The city lines can be hard to spot when you are driving, so confirm the city on any listing.

My take: if the drive to downtown Fort Worth matters to you, North Richland Hills is one of the places to test first. Drive the route at your real hours before you decide.

Who North Richland Hills tends to fit

  • Buyers who want a suburban city closer to downtown Fort Worth than the farther-out options.

  • People who like having a city-owned water park and city recreation nearby.

  • Buyers who are comfortable checking school boundaries by address.

Who might want to keep looking

  • Anyone who wants urban, walkable living. Look at Near Southside or the River District.

  • Buyers who need a specific school assignment. Verify boundaries by address before you get attached to a house.

  • Anyone who has not compared current listings across areas. I have not published price figures here because they change quickly.

What to check before you buy in North Richland Hills

  • School zoning. Verify the district and assigned schools for the exact address with the district itself, not from a listing.

  • The drive. TSHA puts the city eight miles from downtown Fort Worth, but real time depends on the route and the hour. Test it.

  • City lines. Confirm which city, county and taxing districts apply to the exact property.

  • The full monthly cost. Property taxes, HOA dues, insurance and any special district fees add up. The cost of living page covers the framework.

  • Insurance. Get a quote for the specific address before you go under contract.

Nearby places to compare

Compare North Richland Hills with Keller, Grapevine, north Fort Worth and Saginaw. If you are weighing the bigger picture, read Fort Worth vs. Dallas.

North Richland Hills FAQ

Is North Richland Hills part of Fort Worth?

No. North Richland Hills is its own city in northeastern Tarrant County, according to the Texas State Historical Association.

How far is North Richland Hills from downtown Fort Worth?

TSHA describes it as eight miles northeast of downtown Fort Worth. Actual drive time depends on your route and the hour.

What is NRH2O?

According to the city, NRH2O Family Water Park opened in 1995 and is the first municipal water park in Texas. It has 23 slides across 17 acres.

Is North Richland Hills a good place to live?

That depends on your commute, budget, school priorities and the home itself. Drive it and compare it with a couple of other options.

Want to see how close is close enough?

Let's go drive around. We can test the drive between North Richland Hills and downtown Fort Worth at the time of day you would actually make it. Tell me what you are looking for and we will figure out whether North Richland Hills belongs on your list. If you are still early in the process, the Fort Worth relocation guide is a good starting point.

Sources: Texas State Historical Association, City of North Richland Hills. Confirm school zoning, taxes, HOA terms and insurance for any specific address.