Last Updated on: 25th July 2023, 06:46 am
Arlington, TX should catch your eye! The city is home to the University of Texas at Arlington, Six Flags Over Texas, and AT&T Stadium. Yet some people decline to live in Arlington. They’ve read articles about the Arlington Texas crime rate and think the city is dangerous. In reality, Arlington crime is a complicated issue. The Arlington crime rate is high, but there are numerous safe places to live in the city.
It’s important to get the facts about Arlington crimes so you can find a safe and affordable place to live. Here is your essential guide.
Understanding the Arlington Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
Many assume that FBI crime statistics are the most useful tool for determining a city’s crime rate. Their statistics can be helpful, but they’re not a perfect resource. The FBI collects data from law enforcement agencies, yet only 52% of agencies in America submitted a full year of data in 2021. Some law enforcement agencies are not able to collect all data in time. Other criminal acts are never reported to the police; only 310 out of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to criminal investigators.
You also need context to understand the Arlington crime rate. While a high homicide rate may be unsettling, the rate may have declined over several years. Economic turmoil or a natural disaster may have led to a momentary spike. Keep in mind that many crimes are targeted. 80.5% of rapes are committed by a perpetrator known to the survivor. Very few people fall victim to random burglaries, let alone murders or assaults.
You can still use FBI crime figures, but use them as just one resource. Look at Arlington crime news and read reports from the Arlington Police Department. Talk to residents about their personal experiences and where they recommend you live. Facebook pages like Arlington Texas Crime provide up-to-the-minute information about the latest Arlington crimes.
What Is the Arlington Crime Rate?
The most recent FBI crime statistics for Arlington come from 2020. The statistics include:
- Total crime rate: 3,082 offenses per 100,000 people; 14.5% higher than the crime rate in Texas and 31.4% higher than the country
- Total number of crimes: 12,413
- Chance of being a crime victim: 1 in 32
- Violent crime rate: 531 offenses per 100,000 residents; 19.1% higher than the state and 37.2% higher than the country
- Property crime rate: 2,551 offenses per 100,000 people; 13.6% higher than the state and 30.3% higher than the country
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the total number of crimes dropped by 7.1% between 2019 and 2020. The Arlington crime rate is also lower than the Fort Worth crime rate; Fort Worth experienced 3,274 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2020. Cities in Dallas County, like Dallas, also have far higher crime rates than Arlington.
Arlington Crime Map and Crime Reports
However, looking at an Arlington crime map reveals a more complicated picture. Both violent crimes and property crimes are clustered around the northern and central parts of the city. Many areas to the south, west, and east report very few or no crimes. Many crimes in Arlington are non-violent property offenses like shoplifting and theft from unlocked cars. The most common violent crimes are simple assault and intimidation, neither of which lead to permanent injuries.
The Arlington Police Department makes crime data available for up to one year. You can search based on the type of crime, police district, and time range. This makes it great to examine crime rates over time.
Violent Crime in Arlington
The violent crime rate in Arlington is higher than the national and state averages. Between 2019 and 2020, the city’s violent crime rate increased by 4.2%. However, your odds of experiencing violent crime are extremely low. You have a 1 in 188 chance of being a victim of a violent crime.
Murder in Arlington TX does not occur frequently. 6 murders occurred per 100,000 Arlington residents in 2020, 9.1% lower than the state and 8.3% lower than the national average. Only 23 murders took place during the entire year. 2,142 violent crimes occurred, and the majority of them were assaults.
Arlington police believe that a contributor to the rise in violent crime is access to guns among teens. Some guns are stolen out of vehicles, so gun owners should keep their firearms in safes or locked compartments. The police have also formed programs to seize guns from convicted felons and young people.
Property Crime in Arlington
You are not likely to experience a crime during your time in the city. You have a 1 in 39 chance of being a victim of any property crime. Property crimes dropped dramatically between 2019 and 2020. 11,291 property crimes occurred in 2019, while only 10,271 property crimes took place in 2020.
A 2013 report from the Arlington Police Department provides context for property crimes in Arlington. Many new buildings and businesses have opened in Arlington since 2005, causing a rise in property crime. Most property crimes occur in the commercial district, with thieves breaking into cars and businesses. Fewer break-ins occur in residential areas.
Bad Areas of Arlington TX
You can experience crime in any part of Arlington. But these areas are known amongst locals and criminal investigators as being the most unsafe neighborhoods in Arlington TX.
Central Arlington
- Total crime rate: 6,552 per 100,000 people, 179% higher than the national average
- Violent crime rate: 1,378 per 100,000 people, 255% higher than the national average
- Property crime rate: 5,174 per 100,000 people, 164% higher than the national average
Central Arlington is the most unsafe part of Arlington. Crimes occur in every part of the neighborhood, including in visible areas. The University of Texas at Arlington and popular businesses like the Arlington Museum of Art have security staff, so you may want to park your car near these locations to deter attackers. But it’s best to avoid the area entirely, especially at night.
Division Street
Division Street runs through the town center, just north of the University of Texas at Arlington. Though it contains many businesses, it is a site for crime. In October 2022, a fatal hit-and-run occurred on the 1300 block of West Division Street. In December 2022, a man was shot to death on West Division Street. Avoid this area entirely.
North Arlington
- Total crime rate: 4,002 offenses per 100,000 residents, 71% higher than the national average
- Violent crime rate: 714 offenses per 100,000 residents, 84% higher than the national average
- Property crime rate: 3,288 offenses per 100,000 residents, 68% higher than the national average
Many residents tell visitors to avoid North Arlington. In particular, Parkway Central Park is a site for crime, including narcotics offenses and prostitution. The Parkway Central HOA and Cantor Condos are also common sites of crime, including Arlington shootings, so try to find a home elsewhere if you’re looking for a place to live.
East Arlington
- Total crime rate: 3,952 crimes per 100,000 people, 68% higher than the national average
- Violent crime rate: 714 offenses per 100,000 people, 84% higher than the national average
- Property crime rate: 3,238 offenses per 100,000 residents, 65% higher than the national average
East Arlington includes AT&T Stadium, Choctaw Stadium, and Vandergriff Park. Crimes occur throughout the area, including on residential blocks. Illegal gambling operations, fraud, drug crimes, and assaults are common. Arlington shootings have also occurred in the neighborhood, including one in August 2022.
Six Flags Over Texas
Despite its reputation as a family-friendly theme park, Six Flags Over Texas has been a hotspot for crime in recent years. In March 2021, a fight between two teenagers ended in a shooting in Six Flags’ parking lot. The area around the park is worse. Many drug dealers are active in the area, and drug deals gone wrong can lead to assaults and violence. If you are going to the park, drive directly there without stopping.
Safest Neighborhoods in Arlington TX
Arlington has several neighborhoods that are safe and pleasant places to live. In addition to low crime rates, you can enjoy other amenities, including great outdoor attractions.
West Arlington
- Total crime rate: 2,904 crimes per 100,000 people, 7% lower than the Arlington average
- Violent crime rate: 438 crimes per 100,000 residents, 22.3% lower than the city average
- Property crime rate: 2,466 offenses per 100,000 residents, 3.5% lower than the city average
West Arlington is a predominantly residential area, and many residents consider it quiet and beautiful. It contains numerous green spaces, including Veterans Park, a popular disc golf and biking site.
The Arlington Police Training Academy is in West Arlington on West Pioneer Parkway. The academy’s presence can deter burglars, so consider finding a home near it.
Viridian
Viridian is a neighborhood in northern Arlington, but many locals regard it as the safest place to live in Arlington TX. You can find country clubs and community centers around Lake Viridian. The streets are walkable and compact, making a great place for dogwalkers and families to live.
Arlington TX Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Arlington TX
Follow these safety tips to avoid becoming a victim of crime in Arlington:
- When traveling through central Arlington, use Sanford Street and Abram Street instead of Division Street.
- Panhandlers in commercial areas and on Division Street can get aggressive, so avoid traveling on foot in these locations. If you are driving and a panhandler approaches your vehicle, do not roll down your windows.
- Arlington does not have any public transportation; use your car or get a ride from others to get around instead of walking.
- Your car can get stolen from a garage; park it as far away from the exit as possible. Lock doors and windows and try to find the nearest video surveillance system.
Arlington Police Department
The Arlington Police Department employs 682 police officers, at a rate of two officers per 100,000 residents. The department was founded in 1894, though the first police office opened in 1923. The first substations opened in 1971, and the city now has a main office and three substations.
Alexander Jones is the current Chief of Police. He oversees the whole department and several specialized units, including an aviation unit that uses unmanned drones to search for suspects. You can access Arlington police reports on their website.
817-274-4444 (non-emergency line)
Arlington Crime Rate FAQ
Is Arlington Texas safe?
While some parts of Arlington Texas are unsafe, most areas are safe for families, students, and young professionals.
How safe is Arlington TX?
In 2020, 3,082 crimes occurred per 100,000 Arlington residents. Crime rates in Arlington TX fell by 7% between 2019 and 2020, and the Arlington Texas murder rate is below the national average.
Does Arlington have a high crime rate?
Though Arlington has a higher crime rate than the national average, the rate is falling, and most areas of Arlington are safe to live in. Arlington is very safe compared to other Texas cities like Dallas and Fort Worth.
Is Arlington dangerous? The crime rate is indeed higher than it should be, but it is going down, thanks to great work from police officers and city officials. West Arlington and Viridian are great places to live, and even areas with high crime have family-friendly attractions and beautiful parks.
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