Running Bear, Irving
Updated June 22, 2026 · 9,839 residents
Running Bear is a quiet, suburban neighborhood in Irving characterized by a mix of single-family homes, light commercial clusters, and significant open green spaces. While the area offers a walkable grid layout and accessible local parks, it maintains a low-key atmosphere with limited commercial activity.
Key Highlights
About Running Bear
Located in Irving, this neighborhood features a typical suburban landscape of single-family detached homes interspersed with schools and light commercial areas. The environment is defined by its quiet, residential nature and proximity to both green spaces and industrial corridors. Residents benefit from a consistent sidewalk network that facilitates pedestrian movement throughout the residential blocks and toward local recreational spots, contributing to a stable and predictable living environment.
The area is well-suited for those prioritizing a peaceful living environment over high-energy urban amenities. Prospective residents should consider specific trade-offs, including moderate noise levels from nearby traffic and environmental factors such as flood risk and air quality. The neighborhood serves a diverse population, with educational options provided by both the Irving and Grand Prairie school districts, which offer a range of academic programs.
Neighborhood Scores Across 15 Qualities
Residential spacing provides a moderate level of separation between homes, which is slightly higher than the average for Irving. While shared fence lines and denser housing blocks exist, there is generally a noticeable buffer between adjacent structures.
Sidewalks are present along main roads and many residential streets, though the network is slightly less extensive than the Irving average. Low traffic on residential loops and proximity to local parks facilitate safe pedestrian movement through the area.
Uniform tract housing and modest lot sizes characterize the area, which presents slightly less visual variety than the Irving average. Residential views consist primarily of consistent rooflines and small yards with few luxury amenities or large private landscapes.
Public walking areas for pets are somewhat restricted because much of the greenery is contained within private fenced yards. While some residents benefit from nearby school fields and lake access, overall dog friendliness is below the Irving average according to iHuus data.
Frequent open land and scattered homes amidst woodlands or fields define this area. This landscape matches the typical urban-rural balance found across Irving.
Suburban streets and light industrial zones create a calm, low-density environment with limited access to local commerce. Most daily errands require a vehicle, as the area features fewer walkable businesses than the Irving average.
Steady traffic sounds from nearby busy streets are common here, though acoustic comfort remains slightly better than the Irving average according to iHuus data.
Air conditions in Running Bear fluctuate between acceptable and unhealthy levels. According to iHuus data, the air quality is roughly in line with the average found throughout Irving.
Primarily residential and institutional in nature, this area lacks significant heavy industrial presence. While some logistics hubs and warehouses border the neighborhood, the level of industrial proximity is slightly lower than the Irving average according to iHuus data.
Health insurance access is below the Irving average. Residents in this area may face higher out of pocket medical costs compared to others in the city.
Political views in this area are evenly split between conservative and liberal leanings, making it more politically diverse than the Irving city average.
Residents will find a balanced mix of young adults, families, and seniors living in the area. This demographic distribution is very similar to the broader Irving population, according to iHuus data.
Located within a 100-year floodplain, this area carries a significantly higher flood risk than the Irving average. According to iHuus data, residents should anticipate the potential requirement for flood insurance.
Block-Level Insights for Running Bear
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| Dimension | Running Bear | Bear Creek |
|---|---|---|
| 🚶 Walkabilityavg 7.64 | ||
| 🔊 Acoustic Comfortavg 4.08 | ||
| 🤫 Privacy Indexavg 5.22 | ||
| 🎨 Visual Appealavg 6.37 | ||
| 🐕 Dog Friendlinessavg 6.65 | ||
| 🗺️ Urban-Rural Indexavg 6.69 | ||
| ✨ Neighborhood Vibeavg 4.62 | ||
| 🏥 Health Insurance Coverageavg 5.16 | ||
| 🌿 Air Qualityavg 4.08 | ||
| 🏭 Industrial Proximityavg 7.88 | ||
| 🌊 Flood Safetyavg 3.48 | ||
| 🗳️ Ideological Leanavg 6.48 | ||
| 👥 Population Age Profileavg 4.39 | ||
| 🔥 Fire Safety | ||
| 🏫 School Quality |
Running Bear Rankings
School Districts Serving Running Bear
Grand Prairie ISD is a district in a significant state of transition, balancing a prestigious portfolio of high-performing specialized academies against systemic financial and demographic challenges. While the district maintains several top-tier schools and a solid 'B' rating from Niche, it is currently grappling with a $17.6 million budget deficit, declining enrollment, and controversial consolidation plans involving the closure of multiple campuses. Leadership is actively working to restore stability and community trust, but the sharp divide between its elite 'Choice' programs and struggling neighborhood schools, combined with significant fiscal restructuring, places the district in a 'Mixed' standing as it navigates operational optimization.
Schools
Irving ISD is a stable, mid-tier district characterized by exceptional career and technical education (CTE) and specialized academies, balanced against inconsistent performance in its neighborhood elementary and middle schools. The district demonstrates strong operational health with successful bond management, competitive teacher recruitment strategies, and high community trust in its extracurricular and vocational pipelines. While ground truth data highlights a significant number of campuses with lower proficiency ratings, recent mid-2026 reporting shows measurable gains in early literacy and a proactive board focused on closing achievement gaps. It remains a 'mixed' environment where outcomes vary significantly by campus, but the organizational trajectory is bolstered by financial discipline and specialized academic success.
Schools
School Insights for Running Bear
Below average outcomes; significant attendance and academic challenges.
School Insights
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