Last Updated on: 13th October 2023, 01:34 am
If you’re considering moving to Fort Worth, you’ll find great restaurants, world-class museums, vibrant nightlife, and the Fort Worth Stockyards. You’ll also find quiet neighborhoods, affordable living, and plenty of things to do. But you might be asking yourself, is Fort Worth a safe place to live? Fort Worth crime rates have been on a downward trend over the last 20 years. As with any big city, some neighborhoods do have crime; however,, there are safe places to live in Fort Worth.
This guide to crime in Fort Worth can help you avoid dangerous areas, find the safest neighborhoods, and decide if Fort Worth is right for you.
Understanding the Fort Worth Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
Crime rates are calculated based on FBI crime data collected from law enforcement agencies. The FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program has been generating reliable crime statistics since 1930, collecting data from over 18,000 local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies across the country using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS).
Not all incidents are the same, and they aren’t reported the same either. Crimes are categorized into violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include homicide, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Property crimes include arson, burglary, larceny theft, and motor vehicle theft.
Over the past decade, violent crimes reported in Fort Worth have increased slightly, from 4,579 in 2011 to 5,294 in 2021. Over the same 10 years, property crime has decreased significantly from 35,172 to 24,847.
While it might seem natural to use crime rates and statistics to compare whether Fort Worth is safer than surrounding cities, the FBI discourages doing this. Here are some important factors that the crime statistics don’t take into consideration when making these comparisons:
- Population density and degree of urbanization
- Composition of the population
- Stability of the population (mobility, commuting patterns, and transient factors)
- Economic conditions (median income, poverty level, job availability, etc.)
- Modes of transportation and highway systems
- Cultural, educational, recreational, and religious makeup
- Divorce and family cohesiveness
- Effective strength of law enforcement agencies
- Citizens’ attitudes toward crime
- Crime rates are reported for the entire city and give no insight into which neighborhoods have higher crime rates than others. In Fort Worth, as in most large cities, violent crime is often concentrated in a few areas.
What Is the Fort Worth Crime Rate?
Here are the crime rate statistics for Fort Worth, based on data released by the FBI for 2020:
- The total crime in Fort Worth was 30,434 (3,274 per 100,000 people)
- The total property crime in Fort Worth was 25,405 (1,958 per 100,000 people)
- The total number of violent crimes in Fort Worth Reported was 5,029 (388 per 100,000 people)
- In Fort Worth, you have a 1 in 31 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Here’s how Fort Worth compares to the national averages:
- Fort Worth crime rates were 40% higher than the national average
- Violent crimes in Fort Worth were 40% higher than the national average
- Property crimes in Fort Worth were 40% higher than the national average
Here’s how Fort Worth compares to Texas averages:
- Total crime in Fort Worth is 21.7% higher than the state average
- You have a 1 in 37 chance of being a victim of property crime in Forth Worth compared to a 1 in 45 chance for Texas overall
- The murder rate is 81.8% higher in Fort Worth than in Texas
Fort Worth Crime Map & Crime Reports
The Fort Worth Police Department provides a Fort Worth crime map via CrimeMapping.com, where you can view crimes near an address, select a specific date range, or search on crime types. CrimeMapping.com also has an alert system that can send you email alerts regarding recent incident activity in your area.
Violent Crime in Fort Worth
Fort Worth Violent crime rate was 388 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2020. The murder rate was 11.8. This is higher than the Texas crime rate, which was 6.6. The murder rate nationally was 6.5.
Fort Worth reported 110 murders in 2020, up from 55 in 2018 and 69 in 2019.
The number of violent crimes in Fort Worth by type in 2020:
- Murder – 110
- Rape – 446
- Robbery – 867
- Assault – 3,606
The number of violent crimes per 100,000 people (compared to the national average) in Fort Worth:
- Murder – 11.8 (6.5)
- Rape – 48.0 (38.4)
- Robbery – 93.3 (73.9)
- Assault – 387.9 (279.7)
Your chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Fort Worth is 1 in 183. This is lower than the state average of 1 in 222.
The Fort Worth Police Department is dedicated to making Fort Worth one of the safest major cities in the U.S. In April 2022, they implemented the Fort Worth Safe Violent Crime Strategy, and as of August 2022, homicides have decreased by 5.5%, nonfatal shootings have gone down by 24%, and aggregated assaults have declined by 23%.
Property Crime in Fort Worth
The total number of Fort Worth police reports for property crimes in 2020 was 25,405. Fort Worth has seen a steady decline in property crimes over the past 20 years, from a high of 40,554 reported property crimes in 2002.
Here is how the Fort Worth crime rate (number of reported crimes per 100,000 people) compared to Texas crime rate and the U.S. rate for property crime in 2020:
- Total property crime (per 100k population):
- Fort Worth – 2,733
- Texas – 2,245
- U.S. – 1,058
- Burglary (per 100k population):
- Fort Worth – 366.9
- Texas – 370.7
- U.S. – 314.2
- Theft (per 100k population):
- Fort Worth – 1,988.9
- Texas – 1,587.3
- U.S. – 1,398.0
- Vehicle theft (per 100k population):
- Fort Worth – 377.4
- Texas – 287.0
- U.S. – 246.0
Although property crime rates are higher in Fort Worth than they are nationally, most of the crime is concentrated in a few areas. Knowing which areas are safe and which are dangerous greatly impacts how safe Fort Worth will be for you.
High Crime Areas of Fort Worth
When you know which neighborhoods in Fort Worth have the highest crime rate, you can take the necessary precautions and reduce the risk of being a victim of crime. Below is a list of the most dangerous, high-crime areas of Fort Worth.
Southside
- Population: 56,682
- Violent Crime Rate: 1,121 per 100k people
- Property Crime Rate: 5,353 per 100k people
With a total crime rate 176% above the national average, a violent crime rate 189% higher, and a property crime rate 173% higher. Southside has a major drug problem contributing to high violent and property crime rates. Southside is also a hub of gang activity and low economic status.
Southeast
- Population: 59,810
- Violent Crime Rate: 1,042 per 100k people
- Property Crime Rate: 4,386 per 100k people
Southeast has a crime rate that is 131% above the national average. The violent crime rate is 169% higher. Poverty, a high unemployment rate, and gangs are three major problems. The robbery rate in the Southeast is extremely high.
Western Hills-Ridglea
- Population: 43,278
- Violent Crime Rate: 807 per 100k people
- Property Crime Rate: 4,011 per 100k people
Western Hills-Ridglea is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Fort Worth, despite the police working tirelessly to lower crime in the area. Violent crime in Western Hills is 139% above the national average. The household income is below average, which contributes to violent crime. However, the neighborhood saw an 11% decrease in crime over the past year.
Safest Neighborhoods in Fort Worth
Fort Worth has some safe, beautiful, and affordable neighborhoods to live in. Here are some of the safest neighborhoods in Fort Worth.
Downtown
- Population: 4,481
- Violent crime rate: 257 per 100k people
- Property crime rate: 1,299 per 100k people
The Downtown crime rate is lower than 81% of Fort Worth neighborhoods. The area is vibrant with young professionals, great restaurants, nightlife, and lots of entertainment. The crime rate here is 34% below the national average.
Far Southwest
- Population: 6,790
- Violent crime: 245 per 100k people
- Property crime: 1,538 per 100k people
The Far Southwest neighborhood has some of the most prestigious neighborhoods in the city, including Bellaire Park, Mira Vista, and Quail Ridge Estates. The crime rate is 24% lower than the national average.
Far North
- Population: 141,442
- Violent crime: 301 per 100k people
- Property crime: 14,99 per 100k people
Fort Worth’s Far North boasts a crime rate 23% lower than the national average. The neighborhood is safe, and the area is growing. Violent crimes in Far North are 22% lower than the national average, and the neighborhood is safer than 71% of the cities in Texas.
Fort Worth Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Fort Worth
- Avoid high-crime neighborhoods
- Always be aware of your surroundings
- Lock your doors and windows
- Don’t leave valuables in plain view
- Lock your car
- Park in well-lit areas
- Use your garage to park vehicles at home
- Don’t be out alone at night, especially in unfamiliar areas
Fort Worth Police Department
The Fort Worth Police Department started in 1873 to handle unruly cowboys and high levels of prostitution. By 1887, the force had grown to six officers and a Chief of Police. The modern department has a forensics unit, fugitive unit, human trafficking unit, narcotics, mounted patrol, and many other divisions. Facts about the Fort Worth Police Department:
- 1,743 police officers
- 11 police stations
- Headquarters – 511 W Felix St, Fort Worth, TX
- 18.4 officers per 10k population
- Police chief Neil Noakes has served with the FWPD since 2000
- Non-emergency phone number is (817) 392-4222
- Fort Worth Crime reports
Fort Worth Crime Rate FAQ
- How safe is Fort Worth?
As with any big city, there are places to avoid and precautions you should take. While crime exists in Fort Worth, it’s considered a moderately safe city.
- Is downtown Fort Worth safe?
Downtown is one of the safest areas in Fort Worth, boasting the best crime rate in the city.
- What is the crime rate in Fort Worth?
Fort Worth crime rates are 40% higher than the national average.
Fort Worth is safer than Dallas. Although the crime rate in Fort Worth is higher than the national average, in most neighborhoods, you don’t have to worry about crime as long as you take normal precautions.
Fort Worth has plenty to offer. If you’re ready to move to Fort Worth, call Brothers Moving & Storage today at 469-772-4708. Our highly-trained crew of professional Fort Worth movers will make sure that your move is easy and hassle-free!
