Preserving Dallas: The Economic Impact of Historic Preservation in Dallas
Location: Dallas, TX
Date: 2025
Historic preservation in Dallas is more than an effort to honor the city’s past—it is also a powerful driver of economic growth and community reinvestment. By preserving older and historic neighborhoods, Dallas has leveraged its architectural heritage to attract new businesses, stimulate tourism, create jobs, strengthen neighborhood stability, and provide housing choices for people at various income levels. Reinvestment in historic buildings in Dallas generates significant construction activity, fosters small business development, and enhances property values, all while maintaining the unique character that distinguishes Dallas from other major metropolitan areas. Beyond economics, preservation contributes to broader community goals such as sustainability and the maintenance of existing affordable housing.
This report examines the economic impact of historic preservation in Dallas, investigating the impact of historic preservation through historic tax credit activity, property value growth in historic districts, heritage tourism, neighborhood diversity, older housing and affordability, and environmental sustainability. This report demonstrates that historic preservation in Dallas is not only about protecting the city’s heritage—it is also a proven strategy for strengthening neighborhoods and driving long-term economic growth for the City and its residents.