The endless river at NRH2O in North Richland Hills. The city says its attractions bring 1.25 million visitors to the city each year.
Paul Moseley
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
North Richland Hills is mostly built out, but community leaders are working to attract new businesses and families to locate in a city within an easy drive of downtown Fort Worth and Dallas.
During the past year, the city of about 70,000 people attracted over 100 businesses, according to the 2025 development report posted on its Facebook page.
When asked about the emphasis on attracting new businesses, Mayor Jack McCarty said, “Our focus has been to really go after businesses more than we did in the past to focus on what I like to call a family-friendly atmosphere,” he said.
McCarty cited North Richland Hills’ home affordability compared neighbors Colleyville and Southlake, where where median sales prices are around $1 million. North Richland Hills’ median listing price is $403,000, according to Realtor.com.
“Let’s face it. We have to get younger families to keep an area revitalized. We also have to stand on the shoulders of those who came before us,” McCarty said.
The city’s report highlighted the opening of the Peppa Pig Theme Park at 8851 Boulevard 26, and described how the city gained $100 million in new development and 105 new businesses during the past year. In addition, 500 homes are planned or under development.
The city’s attractions bring in around 1.25 million visitors annually, according to the report.
The city’s location is a key factor leading to more development as it is in the center of a triangle including downtown Fort Worth, Dallas and Denton. The city is also a short distance from Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
North Richland Hills has two stops along the TexRail line, and the Smithfield stop is the second most-used stop along the route, McCarty said, as many park at the Smithfield station and then take the train to jobs at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport.
Two hotels are also coming to the city: a Homewood Suites near City Hall and a Marriott-branded hotel near the library.
North Richland Hills also has a revitalization grant program in areas such as Davis Boulevard and Boulevard 26.
Along with the business-friendly emphasis, McCarty said a recent survey of residents indicated that 75% of those who responded said the city is “on the right track.”
⭐ Our editors also recommend: