on the clock

3 Dallas-area cities hustle as top 10 hardest-working places in U.S.

Dallasites are the fourth most hardworking Americans, the report said.

North Texas residents living in Irving, Dallas, and Arlington are truly some of the most industrious Americans in the country, according to a new WalletHub study ranking the "Hardest-Working Cities in America" in 2025.

Irving and Dallas land at No. 3 and No. 4, respectively, and Arlington comes in at No. 10 out of the 116 U.S. cities included in the report.

Three more Dallas-Fort Worth cities also rank among the top 25: Plano (No. 13), Fort Worth (No. 16), and Garland (No. 21).

WalletHub evaluated each city based on 11 key indicators across "direct" and "indirect" work factors, such as an individual's average workweek hours, average commute times, employment rates, and more.

Anchorage, Alaska (No. 1) and Washington, D.C. (No. 2) were the only two U.S. cities that outperformed Irving and Dallas, and Cheyenne, Wyoming rounded out the top five.

The report's findings show Irving has the smallest share of households where no adults are employed – at just 12 percent – which is the lowest rate nationwide. The city also has the third-highest percentage of committed workers that are enthusiastic about their jobs. That's a huge plus for the local community because it means residents are happy with their careers and their employers.

"Hard work is the backbone of America’s economy and a big reason why the country has become so successful, as Americans outwork people in many other developed economies," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

In 2024, Texas proved its tenacity on WalletHub's top 10 list of the most hardworking states in America.

The nearby techy Dallas suburb of Frisco has also shown its diligence as the No. 1 hotspot for remote workers in the U.S.

But being a hard working American can have its downsides, such as less time at home with families and less time for winding down after a long day. Irving workers know that feeling all too well, according to the study.

"One consequence of Irving residents’ hard work is the fact that they have a much lower amount of leisure time compared to people in most cities, the sixth-least in the nation," the report says. "While Irving workers should be applauded for their dedication, it’s also important to avoid overwork and take some time to relax."

Between 40 and 64 percent of Americans don't use all of their allotted vacation time, Lupo added, which can negatively affect an individual's mental and physical health.

Other industrious cities in Texas
Austin also worked its way into WalletHub's top 10 list of the most hardworking American cities, landing in the No. 6 spot.

Six additional Texas cities that earned spots in the report include Corpus Christi (No. 14), Laredo (No. 15), Houston (No. 28), Lubbock (No. 38), El Paso (No. 39), and San Antonio (No. 47).

The top 10 most hardworking cities in America for 2025 are:

No. 1 – Anchorage, Alaska
No. 2 – Washington, D.C.
No. 3 – Irving, Texas
No. 4 – Dallas, Texas
No. 5 – Cheyenne, Wyoming
No. 6 – Austin, Texas
No. 7 – Denver, Colorado
No. 8 – Virginia Beach, Virginia
No. 9 – San Francisco, California
No. 10 – Arlington, Texas

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Nick and Nora news

Dallas takes steps to protect White Rock Lake eaglets as they learn to fly

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Visitors to White Rock Lake may notice new restrictions and barricades near a bald eagle nesting area, as three eaglets begin learning to fly.

According to a release from the City of Dallas, Dallas Park and Recreation is monitoring the eagle couple, affectionately nicknamed "Nick and Nora" by local residents, closely because they now have three young eaglets ready to take flight. (While their exact location is widely known, down to the very tree, this CultureMap story is not going to disclose it out of an abundance of caution for the fragile family.)

The city is asking area visitors to keep noise levels low and dogs on leashes near the nest.

The release says water-filled barricades are in place along East Lawther Drive between the playground and the Dreyfuss split, temporarily affecting vehicle access in the area. Drivers should expect short delays, and cyclists are being asked to slow down nearby. The playground near the nesting zone is also temporarily closed.

Officials say the Dreyfuss area, White Rock Trail, and Lake Highlands Drive will remain open for walking and biking.

The three eaglets are in a developmental phase known as “branching,” when young bald eagles begin leaving the nest and learning to fly. During this period, the eaglets may be seen on the ground or perched in lower tree branches.

Texas Parks and Wildlife officials say this is a particularly sensitive stage because the young birds can appear injured or distressed as they develop their flying skills. Adult eagles may also become more protective during this time.

"Keeping a safe distance helps prevent problems for both the eagle family and park visitors," park officials say.

Dallas Park and Recreation is coordinating with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the eagle family, the release says.

Bald eagles have been spotted near the lake since at least 2019, and have returned in subsequent years to make a nest in the area.

After nearly disappearing decades ago from most of the United States, the bald eagle population is now flourishing across the nation.

Bald eagles are protected under federal law. Disruption of their natural activities is prohibited and a violation of the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. A violation can result in a fine of $100,000, imprisonment for one year, or both.

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