Is Grand Prairie Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Tucked between Fort Worth and Dallas, Grand Prairie is a city in Texas with nearly 200,000 people.

Just don’t go thinking this is a sleepy suburb.

While the name might be confusing in its current state, the land was once at the edge of the West Texas prairie.

Another version of the story claims a woman departing a train looked around and said, “What a grand prairie.”

Either way, the city is still grand, including attractions like a horse racing track, an “Epic” entertainment district, a lake with beaches, and multicultural shopping amenities.

Plus, one of the top three indoor waterparks in the country is here.

In addition, the city is surrounded by highways that make getting to Dallas or Fort Worth as easy as can be expected in a booming Metroplex of nearly eight million people.

Selena Gomez fans should know this is her hometown.

She grew up in a modest home on 35th Street and sometimes comes back to meet with fans.

“I visit this place every chance I get,” Gomez said in an Instagram post from January 2018.

“In many ways, it very well could have been better than my life today, but I’m grateful for a voice that can enable change today.

I love you, Grand Prairie.

Thank you.”

Now, let’s dive into the things you’re going to love about Grand Prairie, Texas.

Warnings & Dangers in Grand Prairie

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Grand Prairie, but enough of a concern about property crime that it's worth it to keep reading. Don't worry about this being a sleepy suburb; there's a lot to do!

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

The Dallas DART service doesn't go to Grand Prairie. The city does have a program called Via Grand Prairie, which is a transportation service on-demand - sort of like a rideshare, but you might share a ride with other people. While traditional rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are available, the Via program is growing in popularity across North Texas. Rental cars are widely available. All options are at a low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

With 11 pickpocket reports between 2018 and 2022, the risk is low. However, don't stash stuff in your car, thinking it's safer than walking around with it. Wait until you see how many car break-ins happen here. If something is valuable, leave it at the hotel in a safe.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Even as I write this, the city is picking up from a series of devastating storms that left downed trees and limbs across the community. You must treat this as a medium risk, as severe storms, flash flooding, tornadoes, damaging straight-line winds, and intense lightning are all possible. The highest risk is in the spring, but storms capable of producing tornadoes can happen at any time of year.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robbery rates were down 27% from 2022 and 2023, with a whopping 74% drop since 2016. The 2023 robbery rate was 70% lower than the national average, with just 13% of robberies being highway robberies. The risk is low.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

We put all large metro areas in a medium-risk category, as large population centers will always be considered a potential target. However, you can read the latest terrorism bulletin from Homeland Security to get a better overview of threats and risks. The best thing you can do while visiting any American city is be vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the local police.

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. I don't see any scams that are particularly concerning for tourists in Grand Prairie, but knowing the tactics of cons can help you keep the risk low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Statistically, women are slightly more likely to be the victim of violent crimes in Grand Prairie, but as we'll explain later, the bulk of those are domestic in nature.

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 report for Grand Prairie is longer than most since some water comes from Fort Worth and the rest from Dallas. However, in 2023, all standards were met or exceeded, and no violations were reported. The risk is low.

Safest Places to Visit in Grand Prairie

At first blush, I saw a lot of comments about how there was “nothing to do” in Grand Prairie.

However, after researching the city, I realized there’s actually quite a lot to do!

You can start with the tourism website, which is visitgrandprairietx.com.

Epic Grand Central is like a city within a city, with everything from the largest indoor water park in North Texas to indoor rock climbing to Chicken N Pickle to water fountain shows.

The list just keeps going of great things to do in this entertainment district.

Walking paths also line the lake, and there’s a lawn where you can chill out if you’re tired from all that walking around!

If you like the idea of the Epic Grand Central, there are several hotels on site!

The beautifully restored 1950s Uptown Theater is a must-visit, hosting a variety of live performances throughout the year.

Another cultural gem is the Grand Prairie Historical Museum.

This museum provides a fascinating look into the city’s past, showcasing artifacts and exhibits that highlight the development and growth of Grand Prairie over the years.

Lone Star Park hosts horse racing events, complete with betting options, dining facilities, and special events throughout the racing season.

The Las Vegas-style sportsbook offers global racing excitement.

Check the Post Time Roundup section of the park’s website to get the schedule.

Shoppers will enjoy the Grand Prairie Premium Outlets, featuring a wide range of designer and brand-name stores at discounted prices.

This open-air shopping center provides a fun retail experience with its variety of shops and eateries.

For a more eclectic shopping adventure, Traders Village is a massive flea market offering everything from unique crafts to antiques and fresh produce, accompanied by amusement rides and live entertainment.

Asia Times Square is a bustling center featuring a variety of Asian-themed stores, restaurants, and events, making it a hub for cultural activities and community gatherings.

Adjacent to it, Hong Kong Market is a large supermarket providing a wide array of Asian groceries, fresh produce, and specialty items, catering to diverse culinary needs.

Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! is located in Grand Prairie, with five attractions in one shrine-shaped building.

It’s funny how every website touting Ripley’s is excited about the “five attractions”, but it makes it very confusing to see what the actual attractions are by only listing four – and not always the same four.

So, here’s the answer – you get Ripley’s museum, filled with oddities, a wax museum, a 7D theater, a mirror maze, and a virtual reality gaming experience called Powerup.

Enjoy the serene settings of Joe Pool Lake and Loyd Park.

Joe Pool Lake offers numerous outdoor activities, such as fishing, boating, and picnicking, while the adjacent Loyd Park provides excellent camping facilities, hiking trails, and beach areas.

Places to Avoid in Grand Prairie

Throughout the Metroplex, there’s a common assumption that the north side is safer than the south side.

However, in Grand Prairie, it’s the other way around.

While there aren’t dangerous neighborhoods or bad parts of town, staying near or south of I-20 puts you in a more desirable area.

Most hotels will be off the interstate, giving easy access to get around the Metroplex.

If you have a vehicle of your own, I would prioritize a place with a garage or parking lot with security due to the number of thefts and break-ins.

In any event, Grand Prairie is safer than Arlington – not that either one is particularly dangerous.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Grand Prairie

Grand Prairie has a local police department, and you can follow them on Facebook: @grandprairiepolice. The phone number is (972) 237-8790, and the email is mbeseda@gptx.org if you have specific safety questions.
Sign up for GP Alerts to get emergency notifications about incoming weather, public safety threats, and other emergencies. You will have an option to acknowledge the message, which means you won’t get repeated alerts about the same topic.
You can always report any suspicious activity to the Grand Prairie Police by calling Crime Stoppers at 972-988-TIPS (8477). All information can be provided anonymously, and rewards are sometimes available for those who provide information that leads to an arrest.
Due to the high number of car accessory thefts, ask your rental car company if they etch or cage catalytic converters on vehicles. In one instance, 18 catalytic converters were stolen from a parking lot in one night. Even the best safety practices by a visitor won’t stop thieves from trying to get the valuable piece of equipment that is accessed under the car.
The PGBT is the President George Bush Turnpike that runs along one side of Grand Prairie. This is a toll road, and you’ll be charged for driving on it. Use the NTTA toll calculator to find out how much a trip will cost. Most rental cars will come with a toll tag, which will then be added to your final bill.
Fishing requires a license from the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife. You can apply for that online, but you need to carry the license with you at all times while fishing.
Grand Prairie has a dog walker neighborhood watch group. These are people who sign up with the police department to report suspicious activity while they walk their dogs around neighborhoods. It’s just one of the many layers of security provided by the community to make you feel safer.
Visit the city’s website and look for the Severe Weather information. In addition to the latest information about storms, scroll to the bottom to see the Low Water Crossings. These are the areas most prone to flooding in Grand Prairie. This is always good information to have in a community, and it is not always this readily available without searching through FEMA flood maps.
The first Wednesday of each month is when tornado sirens are tested at 1 pm local time. Aside from this monthly test, any time you hear the tornado sirens, you should seek shelter immediately. Never park under an overpass during a storm.
If you hear about the venomous cobra snake that escaped from a Grand Prairie home several years ago, wildlife officials doubt the snake is still alive. The owner was charged and sentenced for illegally owning the animal. However, you should know about the venomous rattlesnakes and other species that are native to Texas.

So... How Safe Is Grand Prairie Really?

Violent crime rates are 55% lower than the state average and 51% lower than the national average.

Over the past five years, just 7% of violent crimes involved strangers, but I want to clarify that Grand Prairie police also listed 41% of crime victims as “relationship unknown.”

Half of all violent crimes happened in private homes.

Theft rates are 9% lower than the national average, with 36% of theft related to either car break-ins or accessories stolen from cars, like catalytic converters.

It’s also worth noting that in this category, 63% of thefts were reported as “Other” types of theft, which could mean being stolen from a yard or construction site.

Car thefts are a problem across Texas, and Grand Prairie isn’t safe enough to keep those numbers down here, either.

An average of 11 cars a week were stolen in 2023.

However, those numbers have steadily been declining since the turn of the century.

Get this – in 2002, an average of 52 cars were stolen each week!

Drug crimes make up 25% of all criminal activity in Grand Prairie.

While that’s an easy scene to avoid, you also can’t escape the desperation of drug seekers or the aggression of drug cartel members if you get in the way of – well – anything they want to do.

Grand Prairie regularly makes the list of safety cities in Texas, albeit in the 40s or 50s, but it’s a far safer place to visit than spots like Mt. Pleasant, which is not that pleasant at all.

How Does Grand Prairie Compare?

City	Safety Index
Grand Prairie	72
Los Angeles	56
Oakland	57
New Orleans	57
Baltimore	56
Boston	67
Washington DC	56
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Niagara Falls (Canada)	87
Calgary (Canada)	82
Buenos Aires (Argentina)	60
Vancouver (Canada)	82

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. DFW International Airport certainly does. 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

The Metroplex gets four seasons but errs on the side of warmer in the winter compared to the Midwest or New England. The occasional winter storm can wreak havoc, even with just an inch or two of snow. Summers will be hot and humid, with stifling humidity. Bring bug spray, sunscreen, and clothing that can handle excess sweat.

Airports

Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is just north of Grand Prairie, making it an easy choice, especially since it's such a large airport. Dallas Love Field is 15 miles northeast of the city.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind. Even with the large airports here, a severe storm or hurricane coming inland can tie up air traffic for hours or days. You want to be protected from cancelations, delays, theft, and health emergencies. I would strongly recommend having uninsured motorist insurance on a rental car due to the number of uninsured people here.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Grand Prairie Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan 7° C

Feb 10° C

Mar 15° C

Apr 19° C

May 24° C

Jun 28° C

Jul 30° C

Aug 30° C

Sep 26° C

Oct 20° C

Nov 14° C

Dec 10° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	13	16	20	25	29	33	36	35	31	26	19	15
Low °C	1	4	9	13	18	22	24	24	20	14	8	4
High °F	55	61	68	77	84	91	97	95	88	79	66	59
Low °F	34	39	48	55	64	72	75	75	68	57	46	39

Texas - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Abilene	67
Amarillo	65
Austin	65
Beaumont	51
Brownsville	68
Carrollton	72
Corpus Christi	71
Dallas	64
Del Rio	68
Dell City	81
Denton	72
El Paso	77
Fort Davis	80
Fort Worth	77
Fredericksburg	85
Frisco	84
Garland	83
Granbury	74
Grand Prairie	72
Gruene	82
Harlingen	75
Houston	59
Irving	79
Laredo	68
Lewisville	80
Llano	83
Lubbock	38
Luckenbach	77
Marathon	78
Marfa	80
McAllen	74
McKinney	84
Mesquite	52
Midland	78
Nacogdoches	78
New Braunfels	83
Plano	86
Port Aransas	83
Richardson	81
San Angelo	83
San Antonio	53
Schulenburg	83
Sherman	73
Smithville	84
South Padre Island	70
Tyler	70
Waco	61
Waxahachie	83
Weslaco	68
Wichita Falls	68
Wimberley	81

Is Grand Prairie Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Texas : Safety by City