CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D-

Is Waco, Texas Safe?

Population 147,788 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Waco faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,647 per 100K.

Waco Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWacoTexas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate334.7315.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2404.22077.31,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate207.0--268.2
Theft Rate1647.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate475.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

273.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

335/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2404/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Waco

Violent crime in Waco is close to the national average. The rate of 334.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2404.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,647 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Waco Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault207
077% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery40
063% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary352
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,647
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft475
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Waco Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waco
334.7
State
315.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Waco
2404.2
State
2077.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Waco Safety

Is Waco safe?
Not especially. Waco earns a D- with a crime rate of 273.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Waco?
273.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 334.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2404.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Waco safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Waco's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,647 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Waco?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Waco generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Waco police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Waco?
Crime rates have held steady in Waco, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D- grade.
How does Waco compare to other cities in Texas?
Below average for the state. Waco ranks behind about 86% of Texas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Waco to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Waco?
Bad. A D- grade and 273.9 per-thousand rate put Waco below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 335 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Waco?
334.7 per 100,000, which is 8% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (207), robbery (40), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Texas

Similar-sized communities in Texas. Compare crime rates across the state.

D
See crime rates in Midland147,615 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Pasadena148,539 pop · Grade D
C
See crime rates in McAllen150,640 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Mesquite150,693 pop · Grade D
D
See crime rates in Round Rock141,282 pop · Grade D
D+
See crime rates in Lewisville139,006 pop · Grade D+
View all Texas city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Waco

Get weekly safety updates for Waco

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities