Is Barrow Park safe?
Odessa, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Barrow Park as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Barrow Park
“Go with care. Barrow Park is a quiet, predominantly residential neighborhood with moderate property crime risks typical of the Permian Basin. Visitors will find a peaceful setting during the day, though standard precautions regarding vehicle safety and nighttime awareness apply.”
About the area
Barrow Park is an established mid-century neighborhood in central-east Odessa centered around its namesake municipal park. The area is largely comprised of single-family ranch homes and provides quick access to major commercial corridors on 42nd Street and Grandview Avenue.
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Mid-Century
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Barrow Park
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or bike-share programs in the immediate area, though low-speed interior residential streets are manageable for casual cycling.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Stable residential area with solid homeownership and quiet interior streets
- Significantly lower violent crime rates compared to South Odessa and the industrial corridor
- Convenient proximity to major shopping, dining, and medical facilities along East 42nd Street
Cons
- Elevated rate of opportunistic property crime, such as vehicle break-ins and theft
- Inconsistent sidewalk infrastructure and poor street lighting at night
- Completely car-dependent layout with minimal neighborhood walkability
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the interior residential blocks of Barrow Park, though individuals occasionally congregate near major commercial intersections along 42nd Street.
What Barrow Park is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and safe with residents walking dogs and light neighborhood commuter traffic.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Quiet and secure across residential blocks, with busier traffic along perimeter roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Generally safe and peaceful, though dimmer street lighting warrants caution when walking.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are deserted; vehicle use is recommended to avoid opportunistic property crimes.
Transit, parking and getting around
Odessa's EZ-Rider bus service operates Route 2 along the nearby 42nd Street corridor, but headways are long and there is no passenger rail system in the metro.
Parking is free and straightforward, with abundant driveway space and easy, unrestricted curbside street parking throughout the neighborhood.
Things to do in Barrow Park
- Walk, jog, or use the playground and open green spaces at Barrow Park
- Explore the nearby Ellen Noël Art Museum and Presidential Archives adjacent to the UTPB campus
- Dine and shop along the bustling East 42nd Street retail corridor
Local favorites
- Cork & Pig Tavern · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1450)Popular casual-upscale spot known for wood-fired pizzas, gourmet burgers, and craft cocktails.
- Curb Side Bistro · American Restaurant · 4.6★ (850)Award-winning local eatery serving creative gourmet sliders, specialty fries, and comfort food.
- Mi Piaci Italian Restaurant · Italian Restaurant · 4.3★ (920)Longstanding neighborhood fixture offering classic Italian entrees, pasta, and steaks.
Neighborhoods near Barrow Park
Common questions about Barrow Park
Is Barrow Park safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Barrow Park a good place to live?
On safety, Barrow Park scores 70/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Barrow Park?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 42/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Barrow Park are safer?
Breeze Hill (71) score higher nearby.
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