Is Ledbetter Hills safe?
Dallas, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Ledbetter Hills as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Ledbetter Hills
“Go with care. While residential streets in Ledbetter Hills are predominantly quiet single-family tracts, the surrounding commercial corridors along West Ledbetter Drive experience elevated property and violent crime rates. Visitors should remain alert, lock vehicles, and avoid poorly lit commercial plazas after dark.”
About the area
Ledbetter Hills is a residential community located in South Oak Cliff along the Loop 12 / West Ledbetter Drive corridor in Southwest Dallas. It features mid-century ranch-style homes, community parks, and busy commercial strip centers catering to local needs. Visitors are typically drawn by regional soul food, authentic taquerias, and cultural retail hubs like the nearby Big T Bazaar.
- Car-Dependent
- Residential
- Commercial Strip
- Mid-Century
Walking and biking in Ledbetter Hills
Walk score: 42/100 · Bike score: 39/100
There is no local bike-share program, and dedicated bike lanes are absent on major arterials; cycling is best restricted to nearby recreational trails in Kiest Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Established residential blocks with active multi-generational families and high local homeownership rates
- Close proximity to major arterial routes and DART transit links connecting to central Dallas
- Affordable, diverse local culinary scene featuring authentic southern barbecue, soul food, and regional Mexican dining
Cons
- Above-average rates of motor vehicle theft, property crime, and occasional violent crime along major commercial strips
- Socioeconomic stressors with median household incomes below the Dallas citywide average and higher poverty rates
- Inconsistent pedestrian infrastructure with limited continuous sidewalks and aging streetlighting in residential sections
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is present primarily around major intersections, transit stops, and gas stations along West Ledbetter Drive, but encampments are uncommon within the residential core.
What Ledbetter Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Quiet with school traffic and commuters heading toward I-35E and Loop 12, generally safe for routine errands.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Busy commercial activity along West Ledbetter Drive with moderate pedestrian and vehicle traffic; stay aware in shopping center parking lots.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity concentrates around fast-food outlets and gas stations; visitors should avoid walking alone after twilight.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Noticeably quiet on residential streets, but strip mall corridors and late-night establishments can feel uneasy and carry elevated risk.
Transit, parking and getting around
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) serves the area via local bus routes such as 415 and 223, connecting directly to the DART Rail Blue Line at Ledbetter Station approximately 2 miles east.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, with standard off-street surface lots at all major businesses and unrestricted street parking on residential avenues.
Things to do in Ledbetter Hills
- Browse the eclectic shops, specialty fashion vendors, and international food stalls inside Big T Bazaar
- Spend an afternoon enjoying sports fields, walking trails, and open green space at nearby Kiest Park
- Embark on a local food tour along West Ledbetter Drive to taste renowned fried chicken and Mexican taquerias
Local favorites
- Big T Bazaar · Flea Market / Shopping Center · 4.1★ (3450)A massive indoor shopping bazaar featuring dozens of local vendors selling apparel, accessories, and casual street food.
- Rudy's Chicken · Southern Restaurant · 4.3★ (2350)A legendary walk-up and drive-thru counter famed across Dallas for seasoned fried chicken and jalapeno peppers.
- Taqueria El Paisano · Mexican Restaurant · 4.2★ (1180)A popular neighborhood staple serving hearty street tacos, tortas, and authentic Mexican plates with late-night hours.
Neighborhoods near Ledbetter Hills
Common questions about Ledbetter Hills
Is Ledbetter Hills safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Ledbetter Hills a good place to live?
On safety, Ledbetter Hills scores 54/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Ledbetter Hills?
Walk score 42/100 and bike score 39/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Ledbetter Hills are safer?
Cole (82), Florence Hill (80), Castleridge (76) score higher nearby.
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