Is Granbury Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Granbury, Texas, is a small town with a big personality just southwest of the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex.

At first glance, Granbury’s history plays out like many small Texas towns – a few settlers set up homesteads, often fighting with the Indigenous tribes who were there first.

The town boomed once the railroad arrived.

But Granbury’s fame and infamy go well beyond the standard story.

The city offered the only bridge north of Waco across the river.

The frontier town sprang to life as much for transportation and economic drivers as for Wild West saloons.

Some say Jesse James lived a longer life than history tells under a pseudonym in Granbury.

Other stories tell of President Lincoln’s assassin, John Wilkes Booth, also donning a disguise and fake name after escaping persecution.

While those are steeped in rumor, it’s a fact that Davy Crockett’s family moved here after his death.

In the 1960s, the river was dammed, and a beautiful lake was created, further catapulting Granbury as a destination more than a drive-through town.

Today, visitors get the best of history and nature, with well-preserved architecture like the Opera House and recreational activities on and around the lake.

Plus, Granbury keeps racking up accolades like Best Historic Small Town and the Celebration Capital of Texas.

There’s always someone going on in this small town of 10,000.

Warnings & Dangers in Granbury

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Granbury, but crime statistics look a little skewed to drive that point home. With so many things to do, common sense goes a long way. Plus, it's as welcoming for a family vacation as a romantic weekend getaway.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but options are limited. You'll need a rental car or taxi/rideshare to get to Granbury. Once there, a trolley runs on weekends. Depending on the season, you might be able to find rideshares in town, but don't rely on them to be prompt or abundant otherwise.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Just two pickpockets were reported over the past two years, so the risk is low. However, theft is higher than average here, and if a bag is stolen from a picnic area or a beach, that's not the same category as a pickpocket. That means the number could be higher. Just use basic safety steps to keep your belongings close and supervised.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

This is a medium risk, with the biggest concern being severe thunderstorms that can spawn tornadoes. Granbury was hit hard in 2013 by a tornado. It was an EF-4, the second-highest ranking. These storms can happen starting in spring through fall, with a peak in April and May. Extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and intense (but rare) winter storms are other risks.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Granbury averages about two robberies a year, and hardly any of those are muggings. The risk is low but never low enough to let your guard down.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but there is an underbelly of extremists in this region, and it is not just specific to Granbury. The best thing you can do is report suspicious activity when you see it and mind your own business while visiting. It's best not to engage in political or religious discussions here.

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. Hood County, where Granbury is located, has dealt with some sophisticated scams in the past few years but more involved residents, not tourists.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Granbury is touted as a place for girlfriend getaways or bachelorette parties, so there's a low risk beyond basic safety measures. It's a fun place for women of all ages. Even solo travelers should feel safe visiting here.

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. I always feel better telling you about a current Water Quality Report because it shows the community is committed to giving updated information. For Granbury, the 2023 report was posted well ahead of the deadline. One violation was reported in March 2023 for excessive chlorite in the water, but it was resolved by the end of the month. The risk is low.

Safest Places to Visit in Granbury

Another good sign for a community is the presence of a tourism bureau and a tourism website.

It means the community is dedicated and funded to enhance the visitor experience.

Here, the “Visit Granbury” website is the official guide with plenty of information, from things to do to a list of events.

Historic Granbury Square is the heartbeat of the community, with more than 40 places rooted in history around the stunning three-story limestone courthouse.

The entire square is a National Historic District, but it’s lively with stores, restaurants, and antique shops waiting to be explored.

The Granbury Opera House, originally built in 1886, has been meticulously restored and now hosts a variety of live performances.

Whether you’re seeing a show or just stopping by, don’t miss this amazing piece of history.

With so much history here, there are a lot of museums to explore.

The Bridge Street History Center Museum, the Yeats-Duke 1858 Museum in a log cabin, the Hood County Jail Museum, and the Granbury Railroad Depot Museum.

The Granbury Doll House Museum showcases an extensive collection of dolls, dollhouses, and miniatures from various eras and countries.

This charming museum offers a nostalgic journey through the history of dolls.

Call ahead to confirm this museum is still open, as the social media page hasn’t been updated in a while. 

Lake Granbury has plenty of places to explore on the shore and the water.

The easiest to access is Granbury City Beach Park, with sandy shores and clear waters, perfect for swimming, sunbathing, and building sandcastles with the family.

Scenic walking and biking trails wind through parks such as Rough Creek Park, or you can relax with a leisurely meal with panoramic views of the lake.

Fishing, boating, camping and bird watching are popular as well.

Get on the water with a scenic cruise, kayak, or jet ski.

One of the most popular cruises is a floating tiki bar!

You’ll be surprised how many restaurants are here, but the Granbury Foodie Trail showcases the award-winning locations and the local’s favorites.

However, you really can’t go wrong since Granbury was awarded the Best Destination for Foodies – People’s Choice Award 2023 by the Texas Travel Awards in 2023.

Granbury also has Brazos Drive-In, an old-school drive-in theater showing popular movies.

It’s one of the few left in Texas.

Places to Avoid in Granbury

You don’t need to worry about dangerous parts of town in Granbury.

It’s a relatively small place anyway, but it is spread out enough that you shouldn’t consider it walkable.

A new Bitcoin mining center is southwest of town, and residents have been complaining that the noise from fans and cooling equipment is causing health issues.

While it’s not a place the average tourist would visit, it is close to some rural lodging and rentals.

I watched a few interviews with neighbors who say the constant whirring sound of the fans echoes through the landscape and causes headaches, tinnitus, and insomnia.

The company did put up sound-reducing walls, but it didn’t fix the problem.

If you’re sensitive to noise, I would avoid that area.

It’s also close to the Comanche Peak Nuclear Power Plant, which is a place to avoid as well.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Granbury

So... How Safe Is Granbury Really?

51% lower than the national average and 56% lower than the state average.

About 30% of violent crimes happen against strangers, yet 37% happen in private homes.

That’s according to crime data from 2018-2022.

However, when a population is just 10,000 people, that can seem more sensational than it really is.

When we look at the raw data, 2023 saw 22 violent crimes – that’s less than two a month.

That is up from 15 in 2022.

The 20-year high was in 2019, when 26 violent crimes happened.

The one thing that stood out was three homicides in 2023 and 2022.

In a community this small, that could be concerning.

However, the 2022 numbers were from a tragic murder-suicide involving a family.

Theft is a whopping 133% higher than the national average.

Looking at the raw data, it averages out to about one theft per day.

The 2023 murders were all domestic.

Over the past five years, car break-ins and accessory thefts made up about 13% of all thefts.

However, the majority of thefts are in a category known as “Other,” which could mean things stolen from a yard, campsite, or ranch.

It’s just an overflow category for undefined thefts, like car burglaries, shoplifting, or pickpocketing.

While the statistics might paint one picture, the reality is that Granbury is a safe place, but basic security steps are still required.

Keep in mind the numbers above don’t reflect the crime rates vs. the number of people who visit each year, which would lower the numbers dramatically.

It’s also growing as a tourist town, which wouldn’t happen if it wasn’t a decent place to visit.

How Does Granbury 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

Granbury can get the best and worst of each season, and volatile weather swings require you to closely watch the forecast before packing. Summers will have extremely hot periods with high humidity. You'll sweat a lot. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and extra changes of clothing.

Airports

Dallas Forth Worth International Airport is about an hour from Granbury. We double-checked, and there is a currency exchange counter here, plus several options around Fort Worth. If you're flying out of Dallas Love Field, plan for a 90-minute drive.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind. Travel insurance goes into effect as soon as you purchase it, which helps in case of last-minute emergencies. Be sure to get health insurance if your policy doesn't extend to the U.S. - catastrophic coverage should be enough.

Granbury Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Texas - Safety by City