Is Italy safe?
Italy, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Italy as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Italy
“Go. Italy, Texas is a quiet, small rural town situated off Interstate 35E with minimal violent crime risk for daytime or overnight visitors. While economic resources are modest and infrastructure is basic, it offers a peaceful, classic Texas countryside stop.”
About the area
Italy is a quaint rural community in southern Ellis County known playfully as 'The Biggest Little Town in Texas.' It primarily consists of quiet residential streets, historic agricultural roots, and a small downtown strip catering to locals and highway travelers.
- Rural / Small Town
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Historic Agriculture
Walking and biking in Italy
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, greenways, or bike-share stations; cycling is strictly on rural roads with limited shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low rates of violent crime compared to larger metro areas in North Texas
- Tight-knit, peaceful rural community atmosphere
- Easy access directly off Interstate 35E for road trippers
- Affordable local dining and low-congestion roadways
Cons
- Higher poverty rate (around 16%) compared to Ellis County averages
- Limited municipal services and healthcare access nearby
- Occasional opportunistic vehicle theft or property crime near the highway corridor
- Sparse street lighting in residential sectors after dark
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent in Italy, with no permanent encampments or shelters located in town.
What Italy is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet with light commuter and school traffic moving along Highway 77 and Mosley Street.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Slow-paced and warm, with locals visiting neighborhood diners and farm-supply shops safely.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and quiet as businesses close early, with very low foot traffic and minimal safety issues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and sleepy; walking along unlit rural roads is not recommended due to visibility and stray dogs rather than crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route public transit agency operating in Italy; Ellis County is served strictly by regional demand-response transit (such as STAR Transit) requiring advance reservations.
Parking is completely free and widely available on street curbs and in dedicated lots throughout town.
Things to do in Italy
- Photograph the historic downtown architecture along Mosley Street
- Explore the unique Monolithic Dome 'Caterpillar' buildings near the edge of town
- Take a scenic driving tour through the rolling farmland and Ellis County backroads
Local favorites
- Varner's Restaurant · American Restaurant · 4.4★ (320)A beloved local diner known for home-style comfort food, chicken fried steak, and friendly service.
- El Mexicano Grill · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (180)Down-home Tex-Mex spot serving generous portions of fajitas, enchiladas, and chips with salsa.
- Monolithic Dome Institute · Architectural Landmark / Facility · 4.6★ (140)Headquarters showcasing the famous energy-efficient dome construction technology.
Neighborhoods near Italy
Common questions about Italy
Is Italy safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Italy a good place to live?
On safety, Italy scores 74/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Italy?
Walk score 32/100 and bike score 38/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Italy are safer?
Maypearl (85), Clift Estates (84), Reagor Springs (83) score higher nearby.
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