Is Kemp safe?
Kemp, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Kemp as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Kemp
“Go. Kemp is a peaceful, small rural Texas town located near Cedar Creek Lake with low overall violent crime. While commercial amenities and infrastructure are modest, visitors passing through or staying locally will find a quiet, unpretentious environment.”
About the area
Kemp is a small agricultural and residential community situated in southern Kaufman County along US Highway 175. It primarily serves as a calm bedroom community and gateway to Cedar Creek Reservoir, offering down-home diners and pastoral Texas scenery.
- Quiet & Rural
- Car-Dependent
- Small-Town Feel
- Lake Gateway
Walking and biking in Kemp
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 35/100
There are no bike-share hubs or dedicated bike paths; cycling is mostly limited to low-traffic residential streets or highway frontage shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Low violent crime rate characteristic of rural East Texas communities
- Generous lot sizes and a high proportion of owner-occupied single-family homes
- Convenient highway corridor access to Cedar Creek Lake recreational areas
Cons
- Higher property crime and equipment theft rates compared to wealthier suburbs
- Elevated poverty rate and lower median household incomes relative to the Dallas metroplex
- Sparse street lighting and longer response times for rural emergency services
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Kemp, with no tent encampments or public panhandling.
What Kemp is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe as locals grab breakfast and commute via Highway 175.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and relaxed with light traffic around school zones and local convenience stores.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Commercial activity winds down early, leaving streets very quiet and safe to navigate.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are pitch dark and deserted; remain cautious when driving on rural county roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route municipal transit or passenger rail in Kemp; STAR Transit provides regional demand-response curb-to-curb service across Kaufman County.
Parking is abundant, free, and hassle-free via surface lots and curbside spaces across town.
Things to do in Kemp
- Launch a boat or fish on the northern waters of Cedar Creek Reservoir nearby
- Take a quiet walk along historic Main Street to see the local civic buildings
- Visit the nearby Whatz-Up Family Fun Park in adjacent Seven Points for mini-golf and go-karts
Local favorites
- Tia Yanet · Mexican Restaurant · 4.5★ (310)Popular local spot serving authentic Tex-Mex combinations, freshly made salsa, and hearty fajitas.
- Kemp Cafe · American Diner · 4.4★ (240)Classic small-town diner dishing out generous breakfast platters and country-fried steak.
- Milo's BBQ & Mexican Food · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (180)Roadside favorite featuring slow-smoked Texas brisket, ribs, and Mexican specialty dishes.
Neighborhoods near Kemp
Common questions about Kemp
Is Kemp safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Kemp a good place to live?
On safety, Kemp scores 76/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Kemp?
Walk score 32/100 and bike score 35/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Kemp are safer?
Oak Grove (TX) (84), Grays Prairie (78), Central Mabank (78) score higher nearby.
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