November 15, 2025 - NBCDFFW.com, by Alexis Garcia -

The University of North Texas (UNT) Economic Research Group released results of a 25-year-long study of the economic impact of transit-oriented development in North Texas on Thursday.

The group found that development within a quarter mile of DART light rail stations has generated $18.1 billion direct economic impact on North Texas over the past 25 years. This includes a $1.0 billion direct impact from 2022-2024.

The study also found that rent premiums in transit-oriented developments were 10% higher for residential and 12.6% higher for commercial rents than units more than a half-mile from the station.

Transit-oriented development is also a job creator, with over 5,000 directly created jobs and more than $428 million in labor income in the last two years alone.

Construction around DART stations between 2022 and 2024 generated $51.5 million in state and local tax revenue, the bulk of which ($25.4 million) was from sales tax related to construction of the projects. In addition to the tax, development around DART stations generated $21.1 million in property taxes, with $5.0 million in other state and local revenue from miscellaneous fees and fines.

Read more: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/study-reveals-north-texas-transit-development-has-18b-direct-impact/3945233/

Graphic credit: EVIVA Trinity Mills