Is Highland safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Highland as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Highland
“Go with care. Highland is an evolving mixed-use district centered around the Austin Community College campus with great local dining and craft beer spots. While violent crime against visitors is uncommon, property crime such as vehicle break-ins is frequent along retail strips and major thoroughfares like Airport Boulevard and North Lamar.”
About the area
Highland is a revitalized north-central Austin neighborhood defined by the transformation of the former Highland Mall into an expansive Austin Community College campus surrounded by modern apartments and green spaces. The area features a mix of mid-century residential streets, light industrial conversions, and bustling commercial strips along Airport Boulevard.
- Campus-Adjacent
- Transit-Oriented
- Developing
- Casual Dining
Walking and biking in Highland
Walk score: 71/100 · Bike score: 76/100
Dedicated bike lanes run along parts of Airport Boulevard and the ACC Highland campus perimeter, connecting with the Red Line Trail for easy access north and south.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Substantial ongoing redevelopment and institutional investment anchored by the ACC Highland campus
- Active CapMetro commuter rail access connecting directly to Downtown Austin
- Thriving cluster of independent restaurants, bakeries, and craft breweries along Airport Boulevard
Cons
- Elevated rates of vehicle break-ins and property theft around shopping plazas and apartment parking decks
- Commercial corridors along North Lamar Boulevard and Airport Boulevard experience occasional street-level disturbances
- Substantial traffic congestion and pedestrian conflict points along multi-lane arterial roads
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderate, primarily concentrated along highway underpasses (Airport Blvd/I-35) and major transit stops on North Lamar Boulevard, but is less prevalent within the interior campus core.
What Highland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Active and calm with students, joggers, and dog walkers moving around the ACC campus paths and local coffee shops.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity along Airport Boulevard with bustling lunch spots and steady foot traffic across campus plazas.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Lively around neighborhood breweries and restaurants, though caution is advised along dimly lit side streets and parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet on interior residential blocks, but commercial edges near North Lamar and major intersections warrant heightened situational awareness.
Transit, parking and getting around
Highland is served by CapMetro's Red Line rail via Highland Station located directly behind the ACC campus, along with high-frequency bus lines including Route 801 Rapid along North Lamar Boulevard and Route 7.
Parking is generally manageable, with dedicated parking garages and surface lots around ACC Highland and retail plazas, alongside free on-street parking in surrounding residential areas.
Things to do in Highland
- Explore the massive indoor public spaces, library, and landscaped campus lawns at ACC Highland
- Sample craft lagers and German-inspired fare at The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen
- Shop for Japanese books, stationery, and specialty goods at Kinokuniya Austin in the nearby center
Local favorites
- The Brewtorium Brewery & Kitchen · Brewery & Restaurant · 4.6★ (1100)Spacious industrial beer hall serving house-brewed lagers, craft pizzas, and German-style snacks.
- Quality Seafood Market · Seafood Restaurant & Market · 4.5★ (2350)Longstanding Austin institution offering fresh seafood counter sales, raw bar favorites, and fried platters.
- Kinokuniya Austin · Bookstore · 4.8★ (2600)Popular Japanese retail outpost featuring books, manga, stationery, and pop-culture collectibles.
Neighborhoods near Highland
Common questions about Highland
Is Highland safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Highland a good place to live?
On safety, Highland scores 70/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Highland?
Walk score 71/100 and bike score 76/100. Most errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Highland are safer?
Violet Crown Heights (84), Ridge Top (81), Holiday Square (75) score higher nearby.
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