Red Oak, TX Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Red Oak, TX

What is Red Oak's overall crime grade?

Red Oak, TX earns an overall crime grade of B- for 2026, meaning it performs meaningfully better than many U.S. cities of comparable size. A B- grade reflects a community where crime exists — as it does everywhere — but remains at levels that most residents would consider manageable. For context, cities scoring in the C and D range typically see crime rates 30–60% higher than what Red Oak records. The city's low unemployment rate of 2.5% and a poverty rate of just 7.2% are two socioeconomic indicators strongly associated with suppressed crime levels, and Red Oak's numbers here outperform national averages on both counts.

Is Red Oak, TX a safe place to live?

By most measurable standards, yes. Red Oak's B- overall crime grade places it in the safer tier of suburban Texas communities. The city's population of approximately 13,010 spread across a relatively low density of 326 residents per square mile means fewer of the congestion-driven crime pressures seen in denser urban cores. Neighborhoods near established subdivisions such as Red Oak Estates and areas surrounding Red Oak Community Park tend to benefit from higher homeownership rates — the median home value sits at $229,119 — which research consistently links to greater neighborhood stability and lower property crime. That said, no community is crime-free, and residents should still use the Red Oak crime map to stay current on local incident patterns.

What types of crime are most common in Red Oak?

Consistent with most suburban Texas cities at Red Oak's income and density profile, property crime makes up the largest share of reported incidents. This category includes vehicle burglaries, theft from residences, and vandalism. Violent crime — such as assault — is recorded at notably lower rates, which aligns with the city's median household income of $78,646, a figure well above the national median and a strong predictor of reduced violent crime prevalence. The city's Spring Creek corridor and newer residential developments tend to show the most dispersed, low-frequency incident patterns on the crime map, while higher-traffic commercial zones see a greater proportion of opportunistic property crimes. Reviewing time-filter data on the crime map for 30-day and 90-day windows can help residents spot any emerging concentration of a particular incident type.

How does Red Oak's crime rate compare to other Texas cities?

Red Oak's B- crime grade positions it favorably against many mid-size and large Texas cities, which more commonly score in the C+ to C- range. Several factors drive this relative advantage: the city's 2.5% unemployment rate is among the lower figures recorded for Ellis County suburbs, and its 7.2% poverty rate is substantially below the statewide Texas average of roughly 14–15%. Lower poverty and unemployment rates are two of the most statistically robust predictors of reduced crime across criminological research. Red Oak's population density of 326 per square mile is also far below the thresholds — typically 2,000+ per square mile — where density-driven crime spikes tend to emerge. Taken together, these data points explain why Red Oak consistently grades above the national average.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Red Oak?

While granular block-level grades shift as new incident data flows in, areas associated with higher owner-occupied housing values and active HOA or neighborhood watch participation historically show the lowest incident densities on the Red Oak crime map. Subdivisions like Red Oak Estates and communities near the Red Oak Community Park fall into this category, benefiting from higher median home values relative to the city's overall $229,119 median and strong community engagement. Newer planned developments on the city's expanding western and southern edges also tend to record fewer incidents per capita in their early years. For the most current neighborhood-level breakdown, filtering the interactive crime map by incident type and date range gives the clearest real-time picture.

Is Red Oak a good place to buy a home in 2026?

From a crime-and-stability standpoint, the data supports a positive outlook. A B- crime grade, a $229,119 median home value, a $78,646 median household income, and a 2.5% unemployment rate together paint a picture of a community with the economic underpinnings that tend to sustain — and gradually improve — safety over time. The $1,215 median rent also indicates that the city attracts renters with stable incomes, which contributes to neighborhood stability. The 7.2% poverty rate is low enough that concentrated-poverty crime dynamics are not a significant factor here. Prospective buyers should still review the crime map for the specific zip code or subdivision they are considering, but the city-wide indicators are encouraging for long-term investment and quality of life.

How can I report a crime or suspicious activity in Red Oak?

Residents should contact the Red Oak Police Department directly for non-emergency reports or call 911 for emergencies. Reporting even minor incidents — such as a vehicle break-in or suspicious loitering — matters statistically: cities where residents actively report low-level property crimes tend to see those crimes decline faster because law enforcement can identify patterns and deploy resources more precisely. Given that property crime accounts for the majority of Red Oak's B- grade composition, consistent community reporting in neighborhoods like Spring Creek and Red Oak Estates directly contributes to keeping the city's crime grade from slipping. Neighborhood watch participation and the CrimeMapping.com platform are additional tools that amplify the impact of individual reporting.