Is Lake Highlands safe?
Dallas, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Mostly yes, with normal city awareness.
VibeLoco rates Lake Highlands as “Go, stay aware”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Lake Highlands
“Go. Lake Highlands is an established, largely safe, and family-friendly residential neighborhood in northeast Dallas. While visitors should exercise normal caution around higher-density arterial corridors near I-635 and Forest Lane, the extensive residential areas, community parks, and dining pockets are welcoming and secure.”
About the area
Lake Highlands is a lush, rolling Dallas enclave characterized by mid-century single-family homes, mature tree canopies, and strong neighborhood pride. It blends suburban tranquility with easy access to White Rock Lake and local culinary staples.
- Family-Friendly
- Tree-Lined / Suburban
- Park & Trail Connected
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Lake Highlands
Walk score: 44/100 · Bike score: 52/100
Lake Highlands Trail offers smooth off-street cycling routes connecting south toward White Rock Lake, though dedicated bike-share kiosks are not present.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- High median household incomes and strong homeownership rates across core residential sectors.
- Low rates of violent crime throughout the interior single-family subdivisions.
- Direct trail connectivity to White Rock Creek and extensive public park infrastructure.
Cons
- Higher property crime and motor vehicle theft rates clustered around retail parking lots and arterial apartment complexes.
- Localized crime hotspots near the northern boundaries along Forest Lane and LBJ Freeway.
- Auto-centric layout requiring driving for most daily errands and dining.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal in interior subdivisions, but occasional panhandling and small encampments occur near transit stops and overpasses along I-635 and Skillman Street.
What Lake Highlands is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very safe and active with neighborhood runners, dog walkers, and families heading to local schools.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and pleasant across residential streets, recreational parks, and community shopping centers.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and family-oriented around retail hubs and restaurants, with low-stress foot traffic.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and generally safe in residential neighborhoods, though caution is recommended near major thoroughfare convenience stores and rail stations.
Transit, parking and getting around
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides regional access via the Lake Highlands Station on the Blue Line, complemented by local bus routes along major corridors like Skillman and Audelia.
Parking is exceptionally easy and universally free, with abundant surface lot spaces at all shopping centers and wide curbs on residential streets.
Things to do in Lake Highlands
- Bike or run along the Lake Highlands Trail, which links directly to the White Rock Creek Trail system.
- Enjoy craft beers and casual pub food on the family-friendly patio at Vector Brewing.
- Visit Lake Highlands North Park to take advantage of its community pool, sprayground, tennis courts, and fishing pond.
Local favorites
- Resident Taqueria · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1150)Acclaimed neighborhood taco shop serving gourmet, slow-cooked fillings on made-to-order tortillas.
- Vector Brewing · Brewpub · 4.7★ (680)Community-centric microbrewery offering house-made craft beers, sourdough pizza, and an active patio.
- Oak Highlands Brewery · Brewery · 4.7★ (410)Spacious taproom producing award-winning ales and lagers with regular community events and food trucks.
Neighborhoods near Lake Highlands
Common questions about Lake Highlands
Is Lake Highlands safe to walk at night?
Mostly, on the busier, well-lit streets. Avoid empty side streets late at night.
Is Lake Highlands a good place to live?
On safety, Lake Highlands scores 78/100 — about average for the metro — most residents get by with normal city awareness.
How walkable is Lake Highlands?
Walk score 44/100 and bike score 52/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Lake Highlands are safer?
Lake Highlands scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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