Is Fredericksburg Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

In the heart of the Texas Hill Country, Fredericksburg pours on charm.

It embodies a blend of rich history, German heritage, and vibrant tourism.

Founded in 1846 by German immigrants, the town’s historic Main Street and picturesque surroundings attract visitors from around the world.

Initially established as a frontier town, Fredericksburg quickly flourished due to its fertile land and strategic location along the historic Old San Antonio Road.

Fredericksburg’s allure as a tourist destination stems from its unique blend of historical significance and natural beauty.

Visitors are drawn to the town’s well-preserved architecture and a downright booming short-term rental market with unique options to stay overnight.

The surrounding Hill Country landscape offers opportunities for outdoor activities while fueling the wine industry, which has received national accolades.

Fredericksburg’s small-town charm, combined with its cultural offerings and scenic beauty, has transformed it into a beloved tourist town.

Whether visitors seek history, nature, culinary delights, or simply a relaxing getaway, Fredericksburg offers a quintessential Texas Hill Country experience.

Warnings & Dangers in Fredericksburg

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk here, with crime rates that are incredibly low and a growing town designed to suit your every desire while on vacation.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Unless you take the Greyhound bus to get here, you'll need to rely on taxis, rideshares or a rental car to get around. Some winery shuttles and private transportation options are listed on the tourism website. The risk is low all around.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Going back through five years of crime data, only two pickpockets have been reported. That's a low risk, but I do want to point out one thing - there's a theft category called "Other," which is where undefined categories of theft go and it makes up 57% of all thefts. That could be a stolen bag at a winery or items left in a yard at a short-term rental or campsite. It still keeps the risk low but it was worth mentioning.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Despite its serene Hill Country setting, Fredericksburg faces natural disaster risks. Flash floods can occur due to heavy rain, endangering low-lying areas. Severe weather can bring large hail, tornadoes, and intense lightning. Wildfires are another risk, making it important to know fire restrictions and drought conditions. It's a medium risk, for sure.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Fredericksburg averages two robberies a year, and just one of those in the past five years was a highway robbery. The risk is low, but it's worth mentioning that a rare shooting in Fredericksburg took the life of a local man during a convenience store robbery in 2024.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low here, as it's a small town surrounded by natural spaces. As politically minded as the community might be, it's not particularly considered a hard target by any means.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The local Better Business Bureau office and the state Attorney General’s office will have common scam tactics and protection advice. Read the rules of short-term rentals to confirm you're working with a legitimate owner. The risk is low, but keep it that way by knowing the warning signs.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The risk is low for women of all ages and interests. This is a popular destination for weddings, bachelorette parties, or family getaways.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2022 report in Fredericksburg shows two violations connected to lead reports. This doesn't mean the water is unsafe, and it's reassuring that the violation was reported, as well as the detailed correction action.

Safest Places to Visit in Fredericksburg

Two websites are very helpful for finding things to do, places to eat, and lodging in and around Fredericksburg.

The first is visitfredericksburgtx.com, and the other is texashillcountry.com.

You can get a free Insider’s Guide from the local tourism site without giving any personal information.

Downtown Fredericksburg is a mix of 150 shops, restaurants, spas, and art galleries.

One of the biggest complaints from reviewers is that many businesses close at 5:00 pm on Main Street, so plan to visit earlier in the day.

Several museums are downtown, like the Vereins Kirche Museum, an iconic structure downtown that was recently renovated, and the Pioneer Museum, celebrating the German heritage of the community.

The MarktPlatz is the town square where many local events are held.

History and military buffs shouldn’t miss the National Museum of the Pacific War, honoring the life of Chester W. Nimitz, a fleet leader from Fredericksburg.

A short drive north of Fredericksburg brings you to the Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, a massive pink granite dome that rises impressively above the surrounding landscape.

This park is ideal for hiking, rock climbing, and stargazing.

The Summit Trail offers a moderately challenging hike to the top of Enchanted Rock, providing panoramic views of the Hill Country.

Just east of Fredericksburg, this park offers a unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance.

Visitors can explore the ranch where President Lyndon B. Johnson was born and raised.

The park features walking trails along the Pedernales River, picnic spots, and a living history farm.

The Sauer-Beckmann Living History Farm provides a glimpse into early 20th-century farm life, complete with costumed interpreters.

A lesser-known gem, Old Tunnel State Park, is located south of Fredericksburg and is famed for its bat colony.

From May through October, visitors can witness the nightly emergence of thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats from an old railroad tunnel.

During the day, the park offers quiet trails and bird-watching opportunities.

A bit further east, near Johnson City, Pedernales Falls State Park is a must-visit for its stunning river scenery.

The park’s namesake falls feature wide, gently sloping limestone slabs, making it a popular spot for photography.

When it comes to wineries, it’s not easy to summarize all of them, but you have 100 to choose from in the county, and 60 are in the Fredericksburg area.

Use the city tourism site to search for your preferences, like vines on site, lodging on-site, children allowed, or pet-friendly.

Even if you don’t want to plan that adventure yourself, more than 30 wine tour companies can help you out!

Places to Avoid in Fredericksburg

Fredericksburg is a safe town to visit, with no bad parts of town or dangerous neighborhoods.

In fact, for better or for worse, it’s become more devoted to tourists than anything.

The only caution I would give in Fredericksburg is – and I want to watch my wording on this – is to not look too much below the surface.

Take it at face value as a booming tourist destination.

Beneath the surface, there are allegations of racism and class systems you can review on websites like Reddit or Tripadvisor.

Heck, some even claim that “foreigners” include anyone who isn’t from Texas or of German heritage.

What is very clear is that this is a conservative town – Tea Party Conservative – with one legislator who was at the Capitol during the insurrection and adamantly denied there was an insurrection, referring to it as a “peaceful protest” with a “few radicals” who “caused the trouble.”

That legislator wasn’t charged with anything but also opted not to seek reelection.

When he tried to run for office again in 2024, he lost in the primary. 

It’s also a city where election officials resigned due to reports of threats and intimidation, partially connected to a failed fluoride ban on the drinking water.

No matter where you stand politically or otherwise, there’s just a lot more going on behind the scenes in Fredericksburg than crushing grapes.

You might agree with some or all of the beliefs here, and that’s fine.

Those who don’t should know what they are getting into.

At a minimum, avoid talking about politics, religion, or culture with people you don’t know.

Keep it nice and friendly.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Fredericksburg

So... How Safe Is Fredericksburg Really?

I could tell you all kinds of fancy statistics like Fredericksburg has a violent crime rate 82% lower than the national average and 84% lower than the state average.

However, let’s just cut to the chase – Fredericksburg had eight violent crimes in 2023.

Eight – averaging less than one a month.

In 2022, there were 18 violent crimes, which was a rate 61% lower than the state average.

It was also the highest number of violent crimes in the city, going back to at least 2000.

The theft rate was half the national average in 2023.

In the past decade, theft rates have been cut in half.

I crunched the past five years of theft data, and 81% was either in the “Other” category or shoplifting.

That leaves the remaining 19% for things like car break-ins, pickpockets, and stolen bikes.

The only part I don’t like is the unpredictability of the 1.2 million people who visit each year.

Of course, as a data journalist and safety expert, I’m overly sensitive to what could happen.

Historically and realistically, it hasn’t been a big problem.

How Does Fredericksburg Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

Fredericksburg gets a mild winter, with temperatures staying in the 60s for daytime highs and lows getting into the 30s and 40s (all temps F). Summers are hot, with highs in the 90s. Spring is the rainiest season. Bring casual, comfortable layers and walking shoes that are worn enough to not leave blisters. Cowboy boots are popular here, too.

Airports

You can get to San Antonio's International Airport via a straight shot down a highway and interstate in an hour (without traffic). Austin Bergstrom International Airport is about 90 minutes east.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it. Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection, but at minimum, make sure you're covered for healthcare in the U.S. in case of an emergency and have protection against lost baggage.

Fredericksburg Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Texas - Safety by City