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D+

Is Gainesville, Texas Safe?

Population 18,528 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Gainesville is a smaller community of 18,528 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 251.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,997 per 100K.

Gainesville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGainesvilleTexas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate212.7315.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2298.72077.31,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate142.0--268.2
Theft Rate1997.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate273.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

251.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

213/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2299/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Gainesville

Violent crime in Gainesville is well below the national average. The rate of 212.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2298.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,997 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Gainesville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault142
053% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary326
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,997
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft273
086% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Gainesville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gainesville
212.7
State
315.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gainesville
2298.7
State
2077.3
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gainesville Safety

Is Gainesville safe?
Not especially. Gainesville earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Gainesville?
251.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 212.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2298.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Gainesville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Gainesville's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,997 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gainesville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Gainesville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Gainesville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Gainesville?
No. Crime in Gainesville has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Gainesville compare to other cities in Texas?
Below average for the state. Gainesville ranks behind about 76% of Texas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Gainesville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Gainesville?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.1 per-thousand rate put Gainesville below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 213 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Gainesville?
212.7 per 100,000, which is 42% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (142), robbery (42), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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View all Texas city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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