CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D

Is Watauga, Texas Safe?

Population 22,981 · Safer than 20% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Watauga has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate close to the national average and an overall rate of 255.8 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,653 per 100K.

Watauga Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWataugaTexas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate356.8315.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2201.62077.31,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate291.0--268.2
Theft Rate1653.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate561.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

255.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

357/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2202/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Watauga

Violent crime in Watauga is close to the national average. The rate of 356.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2201.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,653 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Watauga Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault291
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery39
062% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary318
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,653
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft561
01.8x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Watauga Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Watauga
356.8
State
315.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Watauga
2201.6
State
2077.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Watauga Safety

Is Watauga safe?
Not especially. Watauga earns a D with a crime rate of 255.8 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 Watauga?
255.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 356.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2201.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Watauga safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Watauga's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,653 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Watauga?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Watauga generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Watauga police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Watauga?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Watauga's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Watauga compare to other cities in Texas?
Below average for the state. Watauga ranks behind about 77% of Texas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Watauga to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Watauga?
Bad. A D grade and 255.8 per-thousand rate put Watauga below 80% of US cities. Violent crime at 357 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Watauga?
356.8 per 100,000, which is 2% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (291), robbery (39), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Texas

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

C-
See crime rates in Manor23,070 pop · Grade C-
C+
See crime rates in Big Spring22,290 pop · Grade C+
C
See crime rates in Terrell23,921 pop · Grade C
C
See crime rates in Boerne24,047 pop · Grade C
C-
See crime rates in Dickinson21,908 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Alton24,138 pop · Grade C
View all Texas city safety grades

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

Get weekly safety updates for Watauga

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