Austin, Texas is, no doubt, one of the fastest-growing populations and economies in the US. But with the Austin area projected to be home to around 1 million people by the end of 2020, you may be wondering which places are safe or dangerous to live in Austin.

While there are several neighborhoods in Austin that are ranked among the safest in the country, there are also places considered dangerous by locals. In this article, we’ll highlight some of the dangerous and safest neighborhoods in the Austin area.

Most Dangerous Places to Live in Austin

Let’s start by reviewing the areas in Austin with the highest crime rates:

1.      Montopolis

Located in the southeast area of Austin with a population of around 12,211, Montopolis is considered one of the most dangerous places to live in Austin. With a crime rate 124% higher than the national average, you have 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

2.      Martin Luther King-Hwy 183

With a median income of $38,101, MLK Highway 183 has a population of 4,121 residents, with its total crime rate 206% higher than the national average. While violent crimes are 981 per 100K people, property crimes are the highest at 6,920.

3.      Georgian Acre

Located in north-central Travis County, Georgian Acre boasts of lush gardens and outdoor amenities. With a crime rate 159% higher than the national average, Georgian Acre is safer than only 10 percent of places in the Austin area.

4.      Johnston Terrace

With a population slightly above 1,500 people, Johnston Terrace ranks among the top dangerous places to live. With a total crime rate of 6,681 per 100,000 people, you have a 1 in 15 chance of getting involved in a crime situation.

5.      Riverside

Riverside, located in Travis County, has a total crime rate averaging around 8,283 per 100,000 people. While Riverside is safer than 6% of cities in Texas, its total crime rate is 221% higher than the national average.

6.      Saint Johns

Saint Johns has one of the lowest median incomes at $38,935, with an average population of 9,414 people. In Saint Johns, you have a 1 in 11 chance of being in a crime situation. More importantly, with a total crime rate of 9,209 per 100,000 people, Saint John’s crime rate is 257% higher than the national average.

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Safest Places to Live in Austin

However, just because there are quite a few areas worth avoiding because of their high crime rate, doesn’t mean that there aren’t any safe areas in Austin. The following are a few safe alternatives if you’re looking to live in a community with minimal crime rates:

1.      Rollingwood

Situated just west of Zilker Park, Rollingwood is a small city with a population of 1,642 people. With a crime rate that is 61% lower than the state of Texas average, Rollingwood is considered a very safe place to live by the locals. Although the cost of living is 117% higher than the state average, Rollingwood boasts of some of the best schools, too.

2.      Cedar Park

From mega shopping centers and awesome schools to beautiful scenery, Cedar Park, which has a population of 63,551 people, is one of the safest places to live in Austin. With a crime rate 52% lower than the Texas average, Cedar Park has a livability score of 92%. However, the cost of housing in this lovely city is higher, with the median price of homes around $344,500.

3.      Allandale

With crime rates 26% lower than the Austin average, Allandale, which is popular for its large lots, beautiful shrubs, and vibrant community, is another safe place to live and own a home. With a population of 8,861, Allandale is safer than 52% of cities in the Lone Star State.

4.      Rosedale

With a total crime rate of 2,147 per 100,000 people, the Rosedale crime rate is 17% lower than the national average. When compared to other cities in Texas, Rosedale is safer than 62% of the cities in the state.

5.      Hyde Park

While there is a misconception about the criminal activity on the Southside of Austin, Hyde Park is different. With a population of 5,651 people, Hyde Park boasts of low crime rates; they are 39% lower than the Austin average. Most importantly, it is safer than 54% of the cities in the state of Texas.

6.      Round Rock

Round Rock is a wonderful city in Austin, with a population of 112,767 people. While its cost of living is 7% higher than the state average, Round Rock makes up for this in terms of security. Home to families and veterans, this lovely city boasts of a crime rate 25% lower than the state average.

Final Thoughts

In general, Austin is one of the safest cities to live, not only in the state of Texas but in the US. However, if you are considering buying a home in Austin, you should focus not only on the security of the area but also on the cost of housing, as it is likely that the safer an area is, the higher the cost is.