Is Richardson Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Richardson, Texas, a city that hums with a distinct blend of history and innovation, paints a portrait of suburban charm on the canvas of the Lone Star State.

Like most Texas cities, the community was focused on agriculture until the railroad arrived in 1873, spurring its transformation.

By the early 20th century, cotton and truck farming were the backbone of its economy until the construction of the Central Expressway in the 1950s paved the way for rapid suburbanization.

Today, Richardson is a bustling city known for its strong economy and high-tech industry, earning it the moniker “The Telecom Corridor.”

The city’s commitment to education is evident at the University of Texas at Dallas, where the local landscape is dotted with its futuristic buildings.

Richardson is also the former home of the Simpson family, where Jessica and Ashley went to high school before heading to Los Angeles for her music career.

While Richardson is a suburb of Dallas, it’s also just 15 miles away from the urban core and among a collection of safe communities to explore.

It’s also along several major highways and interstates to explore other North Texas cities like Plano and Frisco.

Truth be told – Richardson might be a little too cookie-cutter of a layout for those who want a more authentic Texas experience, but it is a safe place to stay with an excellent location.

Warnings & Dangers in Richardson

OVERALL RISK: LOW

The risk is low here, with a decent number of things to do and plenty of additional attractions in nearby safe cities.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

This is one suburb that is served by the DART system of Dallas. You can check the Dart.org system map to see where the stops are and then search for routes. Taxis, rideshares and rental cars are also available. All options are low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

Over the past five years, about six pickpockets or purse snatchings have happened each year. The risk is low, but there's a much greater risk that hiding your stuff in your car will lead to a break-in. That's especially true if you don't regularly lock your car and hide your stuff.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Like all cities in the Metroplex area, severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes are the biggest risk, with a heightened concern in spring. Summers can bring excessive heat. Winter storms are rare, with even a little bit of ice and snow causing major issues. Treat this as medium risk and stay weather-aware while you visit.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is half the national average, while over the past five years, just 16% were highway robberies. The risk is low.

TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM

Treat this as a medium risk simply because it's in the middle of a metro area with eight million people, and large population centers could always be a target. However, the difference between a low risk and a medium risk doesn't really change how you can help, and that's by reporting anything suspicious.

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. The scams here are generally run-of-the-mill and targeted at residents. The risk is low.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Nothing in crime data or recent news reports suggests that women are at a higher risk in Richardson. Basic personal safety steps go a long way.

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 Richardson Water Quality Report for 2024 shows a "superior" water quality designation with no violations.

Safest Places to Visit in Richardson

The tourism website for Richardson is visitrichardsontx.com.

It covers the city but also expands to nearby cities like Plano and Garland, mostly because those cities have some of the bigger regional attractions.

Richardson is sold more as a place to be in the center of it all than a destination filled with places to visit.

However, there are several places I want to point out in Richardson without leaving the city limits.

Richardson is known as a Foodie City, with DFW Chinatown being the top location across the Metroplex for Asian food.

Ten restaurants and an Asian grocery store make this a popular destination for lunch or dinner.

CityLine is a mix of a park, performance venue, festival, shopping district and restaurant hot spot all in one place.

The urban plaza covers one acre, but there’s CityLine Park that connects to the city’s trails.

Since the trail system is still being developed, check the website to see the latest maps of connecting locations.

Just south of CityLine is the Spring Creek Nature Area, a forested landscape with elevated walking paths and 100 acres of North Texas natural beauty.

Richardson’s largest park is Breckinridge Park, which has more than 400 acres and includes a 10-acre lake.

The community also has K1 indoor go-karts, an ax-throwing bar, an old-school arcade, and two golf courses.

One thing I want to note about the arcade is that there is an admission fee, but all the games are free to play once you are inside.

Kids under 13 must be with an adult, and only those 21 and older can be there after 9 pm.

Places to Avoid in Richardson

As noted above, stay in Richardson for the location, not for the amenities.

While there aren’t necessarily bad parts of town, there’s a lot of traffic.

However, the same could be said for any dense suburban area in North Texas.

You should also know that DART doesn’t service all communities in the Metroplex, so you might find yourself hopscotching if you want to visit places like Frisco or McKinney.

This is more of a place that should be reviewed if you’re moving there, as tourists will likely have to leave Richardson for more lively activities day-to-day.

Richardson’s food scene is the main draw, but there’s only so much you can eat in a day before you want to do something else.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Richardson

So... How Safe Is Richardson Really?

The violent crime rate is 67% lower than the national average and 70% lower than the state average.

It is worth mentioning that between 2018 and 2022, 49% of all violent crimes happened against strangers.

Most cities in Texas I’ve researched barely reach 20%, with some as low as 7%.

Another anomaly in Richardson is that 70% of violent crimes happen outside the home.

Many cities have closer to 40% or even half of all violent crimes.

Theft is the same as the national average as of 2023.

About 52% of all thefts are related to car break-ins, and most of those are because people leave their doors unlocked or valuable items in plain sight.

Get this – at least 23% of stolen cars were taken because the keys were left near or in the car.

An average of eight cars a week are stolen here, a problem that has grown over the past few years.

The police chief says the rates increased due to a rash of catalytic converter thefts and actions by car owners that made the crime preventable.

Richardson is also dealing with a drug problem, which is a nationwide issue as well.

An average of 18 drug arrests happened each day in 2023.

The overdose issues with fentanyl-laced drugs need to be taken seriously by anyone considering experimenting with drugs.

It goes beyond “Don’t do drugs.”

Just a few grains of fentanyl can be a lethal dose, and the user never knows it’s there.

You should have no concerns about visiting Richardson, but for the love of Pete, please lock your car door and take the keys with you.

How Does Richardson 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. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after your 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

Pack layers of clothing for fall through spring, as temperatures can fluctuate. Winters lean toward the mild side, but a winter storm or two each year is possible. Summers will be hot and humid, so pack comfortable, light-colored clothing and bring bug spray.

Airports

DFW is about 25 miles from Richardson, while Dallas Love Field is about 15 miles away. However, traffic in the Metroplex can double or triple the estimated travel time.

Travel Insurance

We always recommend getting travel insurance for places prone to severe weather, which could lead to delays or cancellations. Also, rental car insurance should include uninsured motorists because of the number of people here who drive without proper insurance.

Richardson Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Texas - Safety by City