South Oak Cliff is a neighborhood in Dallas, Texas known for 20th-century homes, street art, and small businesses. But, before you purchase a house in any neighborhood, it’s important to research safety. Is South Oak Cliff a safe area?

Despite the many tourist attractions in South Oak Cliff, the neighborhood is generally considered relatively generous. When exploring the area, always exercise reasonable caution. 

Below, we’ll discuss more information on this Dallas neighborhood. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know before purchasing a house in South Oak Cliff!

Is South Oak Cliff a Safe Neighborhood?

South Oak Cliff, Dallas, TX is a bustling center for the arts and tourist attractions.

However, it is not necessarily the safest.

South Oak Cliff has a significantly higher crime rate than the national average, with robbery being the most common crime. 

In 2021, the annual crime report reported approximately 42 crimes per 1000 people.

For this reason, it’s important to use reasonable caution and take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe if you are planning to travel to South Oak Cliff.

Is South Oak Cliff Improving?

If you’re considering buying a home in a relatively dangerous area, you’ll probably want to know what is being done to improve safety in the area.

South Oak Cliff has been taking many steps to improve the safety of residents and lower the overall crime rate. Officials in the area have been increasing police presence in South Oak Cliff and adding more positive infrastructure. 

Increased Police Presence

One thing being done to make South Oak Cliff less dangerous is increasing police presence in the area. 

This will help discourage shootings, robberies, and other crimes before they happen and minimize the damage when crime does occur.

More Positive Infrastructure

Studies show that adding more art, culture, and tourist spots decreases criminal activity in an area over time.

Over recent years, South Oak Cliff has been fostering an increasingly thriving arts and culture scene. 

This has steadily decreased the overall crime rate over the past five years, making it a more popular place for families with children.

Is South Oak Cliff a Good Place for Children?

The number of families with children moving into South Oak Cliff has been steadily increasing over the past five years. 

South Oak Cliff has also added more schools and childcare centers over the past decade. 

Below, we’ll discuss what South Oak Cliff is doing to become more child-friendly.

Improving Schools

South Oak Cliff has been taking great strides to improve their elementary, middle, and high school public schools. 

This includes:

  • Building and refurbishing playgrounds.
  • Raising funds for school supplies and extracurricular activities.
  • Bringing in more qualified teachers from surrounding districts.

These measures have led to higher test scores, a lower dropout rate, and a lower rate of violent crimes in schools.

Adding Highly-Rated Daycares

The South Oak Cliff neighborhood has added many highly-rated daycares, often built in relatively safe pockets. 

Many daycare centers around South Oak Cliff have also implemented measures to make childcare more affordable for working families. 

Is South Oak Cliff Walkable?

There are many reasons a person may not have a driver’s license or own a car.

For these people, it’s very important that the neighborhood they live in is walkable so they can accomplish daily tasks and errands.

South Oak Cliff is relatively walkable. It has several grocery and convenience stores within walking distance, accessible public transport, and a large network of paved sidewalks.

How Do You Keep Yourself Safe in South Oak Cliff?

It’s important to take precautions to protect yourself from crime, no matter where you live.  

However, it’s especially important in relatively dangerous neighborhoods like South Oak Cliff.

South Oak Cliff can be a great place to live as long as the necessary precautions are taken. 

Here are some safety tips for protecting yourself and your home from crime:

  • Ensure all doors and windows are locked and secure before leaving the house.
  • Carry pepper spray or other self-defense items while walking alone in public, especially at night.
  • Consider investing in a home security system.
  • Get to know your neighbors and consider joining the neighborhood watch.
  • Be vigilant and aware of your surroundings at all times.

You should be relatively safe in South Oak Cliff if you implement reasonable caution and common sense.

In Conclusion 

South Oak Cliff is a relatively dangerous area, but steps are being taken to better the community and lower crime rates. 

These include making the area more inviting to families by adding affordable daycare, improving schools, and lowering the crime rate by adding more art and attractions. 

However, as with all relatively unsafe neighborhoods, it’s best to take precautions to keep yourself and your home safe.