Dallas Crime Rate and Safest Neighborhoods

When people say that everything is bigger in Texas, they might have Dallas in mind. Dallas has a big population, a big economy, and a big personality. But does it have a big crime problem, too? Anyone planning to spend time in D-Town should become familiar with Dallas crime statistics, safe areas to stay and play, and a few basic security tips.

Is Dallas Safe?

First, let’s start with the basics. Is Dallas safe overall? How much crime is there in Dallas compared to other cities?

Let the record show that crime rates are an imprecise measure of safety. Reporting standards vary, as does the likelihood of a victim reporting a crime. Still, citywide crime statistics give you a decent jumping-off point, so it’s worth exploring.

Dallas Crime Rate

The FBI’s Crime Data Explorer is a great resource for crime statistics across many cities, including Dallas. According to this resource, Dallas experienced about 60,000 crime incidents in 2022. For a city its size, the Dallas crime rate is about 45.9 crimes per 1,000 residents.

By comparison, the state average crime rate in Texas is around 27.3 per 1,000. The nationwide average crime rate is 23 per 1,000. So, the Dallas crime situation is not looking great at first glance.

The type of crime also matters. Dallas police reported just over 10,000 violent crimes in 2022, putting the Dallas violent crime rate at 7.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. That’s nearly double the national and state average for some of the most serious offenses—assault, murder, robbery, and the like.

In fact, Dallas ranked #42 on CBS’s list of the deadliest cities in the country. And we ranked it as #7 on our list of the most dangerous cities in Texas.

So, is Dallas Texas safe? The numbers aren’t looking good so far.

Feeling Safe in Dallas

But will you feel safe in Dallas? To find that answer, it’s best to ask the locals.

An AreaVibes poll asked respondents to rate the amount of crime in Dallas. About two-thirds of the people responded that crime is “awful” or “poor.” Similarly, over half don’t feel safe at all walking alone at night.

Results from a Niche.com poll were more mixed. The majority of poll takers said they felt “pretty safe” or “somewhat safe” in Dallas. Respondents also voiced that the city has a visible police presence, though some noted that the police can be slow to respond.

What can you make of all this mixed information about Dallas crime rates and how safe the city’s residents feel? For one, the response to crime is as important as the prevalence of crime. For another thing, citywide crime rates can only tell you so much about what you might experience. To get an even clearer picture, let’s dig into the safest Dallas neighborhoods.

The Safest Neighborhoods in Dallas

Dallas is part of an enormous metropolitan area. There are many places in and around the city where you can choose to live, work, and spend time. If safety is a top priority, you’ll want to know where the best Dallas neighborhoods are in terms of low-crime areas.

NeighborhoodScout recommends these as the 10 safest Dallas neighborhoods by crime rate:

1. Preston Hollow
2. Northaven Park
3. Lake Highlands Southwest
4. Lake Highlands West
5. Preston Hollow Northwest
6. Preston Hollow North
7. Lakewood
8. Enclave at Ash Creek
9. Estates West / Highlands North
10. Prestonwood

You’ll find all 10 of these Dallas neighborhoods clustered near each other. If low-crime living is calling your name, the best areas to live in Dallas are on the city’s north side.

Most Dangerous Dallas Neighborhoods

It’s also worth addressing which Dallas neighborhoods warrant more caution. That’s not to say you should stay away—these may be great locations in their own right! But be aware of the higher crime rates in these areas and take extra security precautions.

According to AreaVibes, these 10 Dallas neighborhoods have the highest violent crime rates.

1. South Boulevard–Park Row (28.3 violent crimes per 1,000 residents)
2. Cedar Crest (15.0 per 1,000)
3. South Dallas (14.9 per 1,000)
4. Convention Center District (13.8 per 1,000)
5. Cockrell Hill (11.5 per 1,000)
6. Northwest Dallas (11.5 per 1,000)
7. Wolf Creek (10.7 per 1,000)
8. Oak Cliff (9.7 per 1,000)
9. Urbandale–Parkdale (9.4 per 1,000)
10. Eagle Ford (8.5 per 1,000)

As you can probably discern from these Dallas crime statistics, there’s a heavy concentration of violent crime in certain parts of the city. Stay aware of your surroundings if you find yourself in these neighborhoods.

Dallas Crime Map

Are you more of a visual learner? This map of the safest and most dangerous Dallas neighborhoods should help.

From this Dallas crime map, you can see that the low-crime areas are mostly found on the city’s north side, and vice versa. The downtown core has some of the highest violent crime rates (as is true in many cities), so keep your head on a swivel if you find yourself there.

The Best Places to Live in Dallas: Other Factors

You probably care about more than safety. If you’re relocating to Dallas (or within the city), here are some spots you might want to consider for other reasons.

And don’t forget to look outside the city border! The Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area is surrounded by plenty of great cities and towns. You might just find one of the best suburbs of Dallas to call home.

Top-rated public schools (from Niche):

• Oaktree
• Preston Highlands
• Campbell Green
• Highlands of McKamy
• Prestonwood
• Suburbs like Coppell, University Park, Highland Park, Frisco, and Flower Mound—also named one of our top 10 safest cities in America

Highest real estate appreciation (from NeighborhoodScout):

• South Boulevard–Park Row Historic
• Government District
• West Texas
• Winnetka Park
• Convention Center District/Cedars

Lowest cost of living (from Niche):

• Bonton
• Beckley Terrace
• Mill City
• Ledbetter
• Urbandale–Parkdale
• Suburbs like Wilmer, Ferris, and Cockrell Hill

Most walkable (from Walk Score):

• Downtown
• Henderson
• Oak Lawn
• North Oaklawn
• Roseland
• Although it’s slightly less walkable, Deep Ellum scores high for public transportation and biking

Best for singles (from AreaVibes):

• Main Street District
• Government District
• City Center District
• Farmers Market District
• West End Historic District

Is Dallas a good place to live? Absolutely! The city has lots to offer. No matter what matters to you, there’s a Dallas neighborhood that you’re sure to love.

Tips: Stay Safe in Dallas

Whether you settle in one of the safest neighborhoods in Dallas or one with higher crime rates, make sure to put basic home security measures in place. Start with these tips.

• Picture your home from a burglar’s point of view. Are there weak entry points? Visible valuable? You can use Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design to make your home less appealing to intruders by adding security floodlights, installing a fence, or landscaping for security.
• Upgrade your home’s protection with a Deep Sentinel security camera system. Artificial intelligence and live security monitoring combine to give you instant, hand-off crime prevention far beyond what any off-the-shelf doorbell camera offers. It’s like having a security guard at your home 24/7.
• Befriend your neighbors. They can keep an eye on your home while you’re away and raise the alert if they spot anyone suspicious lurking about.
• Always lock your doors—including your car doors and garage door!
• Familiarize yourself with the resources available to you through the Dallas Police Department, including its Community Operations Division. The Neighborhood Police Officer in your area can help you establish a neighborhood watch group, give a crime prevention presentation, and more.

With these tips, you can increase your chances of avoiding Dallas crime. Deep Sentinel is proud to be your security partner, providing property owners across the U.S. with peace of mind day in and day out. Call 833.983.6006 to learn more about Deep Sentinel’s innovative security solutions.

Related Resources

• Dallas: Home Security Tips
• The Safest Cities in Texas
• Texas Surveillance Laws: An Overview
• The Top 10 Safest Cities in America (including nearby Flower Mound, TX)