Is Atco safe?
Woodway, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Atco as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Atco
“Go. The Atco area in Woodway is a very safe, low-density suburban community where visitors face minimal safety or property risks. While it offers a quiet and secure environment, you will need a personal vehicle to navigate the neighborhood and reach nearby dining or recreational spots.”
About the area
Atco is a peaceful, historic pocket within Woodway on the southwestern periphery of the Waco metropolitan area. It features a mix of modest single-family residential tracts, open lots, and light commercial services along primary thoroughfares. Visitors benefit from the community's stable suburban character and proximity to Lake Waco and the Carleen Bright Arboretum.
- Quiet Suburban
- Car-Dependent
- Family-Friendly
- Sprawling
Walking and biking in Atco
Walk score: 22/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There are no bike-share stations or dedicated bike lanes in the immediate area, making cycling practical only on low-speed residential side streets.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantially lower violent and property crime rates compared to broader McLennan County and central Waco
- High household stability supported by strong homeownership rates in the surrounding Woodway municipality
- Direct vehicular access to commercial retail corridors along US-84 and Highway 6
Cons
- Nearly complete absence of pedestrian sidewalks and crosswalks along secondary residential streets
- Pockets of light industrial zoning and active railroad tracks bordering the district
- Total reliance on personal motor vehicles for basic errands and dining
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Atco, with social services and encampments primarily located several miles away in central Waco.
What Atco is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe, with minor commuter traffic moving toward US-84 and local work hubs.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and secure, with routine suburban traffic and service vehicles navigating the streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Peaceful atmosphere as businesses close down, maintaining an exceptionally safe environment for visitors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are dark and sparsely populated, requiring careful driving, but street crime remains extremely rare.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit in the region is managed by Waco Transit System, but fixed-route bus service does not reliably serve Atco; personal vehicles or rideshare services are necessary.
Parking is abundant and universally free across the neighborhood, with ample surface parking lots at businesses and plentiful space on residential properties.
Things to do in Atco
- Walk through the manicured gardens and nature trails at the nearby Carleen Bright Arboretum
- Enjoy fishing, boating, and scenic park overlooks at nearby Lake Waco
- Sample local comfort food and pizza along the Woodway Drive and Hewitt Drive commercial corridors
Local favorites
- Slow Rise Slice House · Pizza Restaurant · 4.6★ (1180)A popular local spot serving artisan New York-style pizza, draft beer, and patio seating near the river.
- Poppa Rollo's Pizza · Pizza Restaurant · 4.5★ (1750)A quirky, long-standing Waco-area institution known for thin-crust pizza and retro memorabilia.
- Bush's Chicken · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.2★ (640)A quintessential Central Texas drive-thru staple serving golden fried chicken, tenders, and sweet tea.
Neighborhoods near Atco
Common questions about Atco
Is Atco safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Atco a good place to live?
On safety, Atco scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Atco?
Walk score 22/100 and bike score 28/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Atco are safer?
Callan Village (92), Ritchie (Waco) (91), Lake Forest (Woodway) (91) score higher nearby.
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