Is Bardwell safe?
Bardwell, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Bardwell as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Bardwell
“Go. Bardwell is a peaceful, rural farming community near Bardwell Lake with very low violent crime. While it offers limited commercial amenities, it is safe, scenic, and hospitable for visitors seeking outdoor recreation.”
About the area
Bardwell is a small agricultural town in southern Ellis County, situated adjacent to the southern banks of Lake Bardwell. The area is characterized by vast farmland, modest single-family homes, and access to lakeside parks and marinas.
- Rural
- Quiet
- Lakeside Access
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Bardwell
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no bike-share programs or dedicated bike paths; road cycling occurs on rural FM roads with narrow shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent and property crime rates compared to national averages
- Direct access to Lake Bardwell for boating, fishing, and camping
- Tight-knit, low-density rural community with minimal traffic
Cons
- Limited municipal amenities and dining options, requiring travel to Ennis or Waxahachie
- Reliance on county sheriff and rural volunteer emergency services with longer response times
- Poorly lit rural roadways with high risk of wildlife collisions at night
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Bardwell due to its rural location and lack of social services.
What Bardwell is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm, with local agricultural activity and anglers heading out toward the lake.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Slow-paced and safe, with occasional boat trailers and pickup trucks traversing the main roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet and dark as businesses close, with virtually no pedestrian or vehicular congestion.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black and deserted; violent crime is negligible, but unlit roads make driving hazardous.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route public transit in Bardwell. Regional dial-a-ride service is provided across Ellis County by STAR Transit upon advance booking.
Parking is abundant and entirely free throughout Bardwell, with ample parking lots at local lake parks and wide gravel shoulders in town.
Things to do in Bardwell
- Launch a boat or fish for crappie and bass at High View Marina
- Camp and picnic along the water's edge at High View Park
- Drive the scenic rural routes in spring to view the famous Ellis County bluebonnets
Local favorites
- High View Marina · Marina & Boat Rentals · 4.2★ (185)A full-service lake marina offering boat slips, fuel, bait, and basic fishing supplies on Lake Bardwell.
- High View Park · Campground & Recreation Area · 4.4★ (240)A lakeside park operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers featuring RV pads, tent camping, and boat ramps.
- Mott Park · Park & Outdoor Recreation · 4.3★ (130)A popular day-use area and boat ramp site offering shoreline fishing and waterfront views.
Neighborhoods near Bardwell
Common questions about Bardwell
Is Bardwell safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Bardwell a good place to live?
On safety, Bardwell scores 78/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Bardwell?
Walk score 12/100 and bike score 24/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Bardwell are safer?
Sonoma (84), Reagor Springs (83), Bluebonnet Estates (80) score higher nearby.
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