Lancaster is home to approximately 36,225 people and is located only 15 minutes from downtown Dallas. The following factors contribute to an excellent quality of life in Lancaster.

Housing Costs -The average new housing costs in Lancaster are still a bargain ranging in the $120,000-$140,000's and up. The residential housing in the community consists of: single family 73%, multi-family 23% and other 4%. The new home development has grown significantly in the past four years. 

Health Facilities -  Alpha Medical Center opened its facility in 2003.  The Center provides quality and comprehensive primary health care with compassion and convenience.  Services include school physicals, urgent care, dentistry, work injuries, podiatry, physical therapy, pharmacy, X-ray, immunizations, internal medicine, and family medicine.

Recreational Opportunities - The Lancaster Recreational Development (4B Sales Tax) Corporation (LRDC), in conjunction with the City’s elected officials and senior management and Parks and Recreation Department, has sparked development of a $17+ million leisure complex which includes a 170-acre Community Park, 60,000 square foot $9.3 million Recreation Center and Indoor Water Park, and a 23,000 square foot $4 million Library.  The Community Park features a 6-acre pond with a fishing pier, walking trails, grassy amphitheater with a performance stage by the water, lighted youth football/soccer field, two picnic pavilions, a large multi-age level playground, sand volleyball courts, outdoor basketball courts and the Royce Clayton/Texas Rangers Youth Ballpark which is lighted, irrigated and has a covered grandstand for 500 spectators.  The Ballpark was designed by the same architect who designed the Texas Rangers’ Ballpark in Arlington.

The Recreation Center features an Indoor Water Park with a double loop water slide, lazy river, zero depth entry, vortex, 4-lane lap pool and party area.  The building also includes a youth room, double gym, elevated jogging track, 2,000 square foot fitness atrium with 27 stations of state-of-the-art fitness equipment, an aerobics dance room with a neo-shock floor, a multi-purpose classroom and a 3,300 square foot banquet room and catering kitchen for receptions, weddings and every type of social event and meeting.  The banquet facility has a covered outdoor terrace and courtyard that overlooks the 6-acre pond.

In addition to this new leisure complex, the 4B sales tax revenue has funded over $14 million in parks and recreation capital projects which include five (5) new playgrounds at the LISD elementary schools, three (3) additional new playgrounds at City Park and Cedardale Athletic Complex, two (2) new neighborhood parks (Dewberry and Rocky Crest), complete renovation of the outdoor City Park pool, renovation of the Activity Center, Cedar Valley Soccer Complex (10 fields), converted in-line hockey rink at Jaycee Park and new park signage.

The Parks and Recreation Department currently has 621.66 acres of parkland - 243.7 acres are developed and 377.96 acres are not developed.

Bear Creek Nature Park - The Parks and Recreation Department recently received a $500,000 matching grant from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to purchase a 189-acre nature park site south of Country View Golf Course.  This beautiful, pristine site will be developed into the Bear Creek Nature Park.  Plans call for equestrian and walking trails with interpretive signage, three ponds, a fishing pier, campsites which will include facilities for overnight camping for horses, a leash-free dog park, a "ropes course," an accessible tree house with a bird-watching balcony, an outdoor education classroom, a large pavilion for picnics and outdoor education programs.  The Parks and Recreation Department welcomes tax-deductible donations to help fund the various components of the park through a 501-c(3) foundation.  Naming opportunities are available for corporations and individuals - such as the "XYZ Corporation Tree House."  Contact the Director of Parks and Recreation, 972-227-1112, or Carol Strain-Burk, City Council Member, 214-957-9666, for sponsorship opportunity information and/or a tour of the park site.  

Cultural Opportunities - Lancaster has the charming Historic Town Square, Cedar Valley College and other amenities. In addition, a cultural advantage is the 15-minute drive to downtown Dallas for the Symphony and other artistic and historic endeavors that Dallas affords residents and newcomers to Texas.

Lancaster Municipal Airport - The Airport completed major construction that was part of a $1.5 million Capital Improvement Project jointly funded by the Aviation Division of  TxDOT and local City-LEDC resources. The Airport's AWOS weather station is operational and is a great convenience to pilots and weather-watchers world-wide.  

Building on the public improvements, private investors funded construction of an additional 70,000+ square feet of hangar space valued at over $1.2 million.

Colleges and Universities in the Area - Cedar Valley College is located on the border of Lancaster and Dallas on North Dallas Avenue. This two-year accredited institution offers workforce training, continuing education and college preparatory programs to 2,560 students. It is affiliated with the Dallas County Community College District and has numerous resources available for residents and business to utilize.

The UNT-Dallas Campus (254 acres on Lancaster's northern doorstep) began its 2007 spring term in its new permanent home, the University of North Texas System opened a new chapter in the history of higher education in the City of Dallas.  

Public Schools - The Lancaster Independent School District (LISD) educates over 4,700 students annually.  The LISD operates on a $35 million annual budget to provide numerous fundamental and extra-curricular educational opportunities for Lancaster children. A portion of northeast Lancaster is served by the Dallas ISD.  Visit www.lancasterisd.org or call (972) 218-1400.

Public Library - The Lancaster Veterans Memorial Library is a 23,000 square foot facility, equipped with over 30 public Internet workstations, wireless access for classroom purposes and is defined as having one of the best genealogy collections in the region.  The library provides author signings and programs, artist demonstrations, children's workshops, homework reference assistance, public Internet training, literacy programs, videos, audio books, databases, interlibrary loan, and cooperative resource sharing with the nearby city of Cedar Hill.  Visit www.lancastertxlib.org or call (972) 218-3644.

Active Civic and Community Groups - Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Club, Lions Club, Historical Society, School Booster Clubs, Genealogical Society, Lancaster Outreach Center, Shakespeare Club, and many more.

Citizen Involvement - Numerous opportunities for area residents to volunteer to serve on a wide array of community Boards, Commissions, and task forces. More information regarding citizen volunteer opportunities is available from the Lancaster City Secretary's office (972) 218-1310.