Look out, Disney World. A new poll has named Dallas-Fort Worth the happiest big city metro in America. According to marketing research firm Harris Interactive, 38 percent of Dallas-area residents are "very happy." That's five points higher than the national average.
Dallas' first-place rating was bolstered by spiritual beliefs (75 percent) and a low level of health concerns (59 percent). Ninety percent of Dallas-area residents say their relationships with friends bring them happiness. Big D residents are also among the least likely to feel their voices are not heard in national decisions (67 percent).
It's not all sunshine and Klyde Warren Park parties, though. Dallas-Fort Worth residents are among those least likely to agree that they have positive relationships with their family members, and they are among those most likely to say they rarely engage in hobbies and pastimes they enjoy.
Houston came in as the second-happiest city in America, with 36 percent of "very happy" residents. Houston echoed Dallas' sentiments about religion and politics and also earned a nod for lacking any significant negative feelings about topics in the poll. Philadelphia and Atlanta rounded out the top four, with a three-way tie for fifth-happiest place between Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C.
The least happy city in America? San Francisco, where only 28 percent of residents consider themselves "very happy."
The Harris Interactive poll questioned more than 2,000 adults on topics ranging from religion, healthcare, politics, hobbies, the future and career issues.
Dallas-area residents are happier than those in any other big city in America.
