Is Patillo safe?
Lubbock, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Patillo as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Patillo
“Go with care. Patillo is an older, tightly knit residential community in East Lubbock that experiences higher property crime and sporadic violent crime compared to the city's southwest suburbs. While daytime visits for local dining or community parks are generally uneventful, visitors should stay aware of their surroundings and avoid walking residential streets alone after dark.”
About the area
Patillo is a modest, historically working-class neighborhood located in East Lubbock, featuring mid-century single-family homes, local churches, and neighborhood parks. The area maintains a strong sense of local heritage but faces economic challenges, including below-average household incomes and aging infrastructure. Visitors mostly pass through for traditional Tex-Mex and soul food spots along nearby commercial corridors.
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Historic Community
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Patillo
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 44/100
There are no dedicated bike-share programs in the immediate neighborhood, but Mae Simmons Park and the Yellow House Canyon greenway nearby offer recreational multi-use paved paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Close-knit residential community with established family-owned properties
- Convenient driving access to Downtown Lubbock and Texas Tech University
- Affordable local dining options along primary border corridors
- Active neighborhood associations working on revitalization and park upkeep
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle burglary rates exceed Lubbock citywide averages
- Median household income is significantly lower than Lubbock's metro average
- Poor pedestrian infrastructure with intermittent sidewalks and limited street lighting
- Noticeable number of vacant lots and aging, deferred-maintenance housing stock
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low within the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals are present near major transit stops and commercial intersections along East 19th Street.
What Patillo is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are quiet and low-key with school commutes and residents heading to work, offering a calm environment for driving or brief walks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons see moderate traffic along main connectors, with quiet side streets generally safe for daytime visits.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity slows down as dusk settles; residential streets become poorly lit, requiring increased situational awareness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry elevated safety risks due to occasional property crime, opportunistic theft, and reduced visibility; outdoor walking is not advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Citibus provides local bus service through East Lubbock, with Route 5 connecting nearby corridors to Downtown Lubbock; there is no light rail or BRT system in Lubbock.
Street parking is widely available and free throughout the neighborhood, and commercial venues have dedicated free surface parking lots.
Things to do in Patillo
- Spend an afternoon relaxing or playing sports at nearby Mae Simmons Park
- Sample authentic local Tex-Mex cuisine along East 19th Street and MLK Jr. Boulevard
- Explore regional African American and local heritage exhibits at the Caviel Museum of African American History nearby
Local favorites
- Montelongo's Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1820)A long-running, family-owned staple known for hearty traditional Tex-Mex plates, enchiladas, and fresh salsa.
- River Smith's Chicken & Catfish · Southern / Seafood · 4.2★ (2350)A classic Lubbock dining institution serving fried catfish, chicken tenders, and Southern sides.
- Cast Iron Grill · Southern / Breakfast · 4.6★ (2400)Popular breakfast and lunch spot known for chicken fried steak, hearty skillets, and legendary homemade pies.
Neighborhoods near Patillo
Common questions about Patillo
Is Patillo safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Patillo a good place to live?
On safety, Patillo scores 56/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Patillo?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 44/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Patillo are safer?
Courtyards on the Park (73), Clapp Park (71), Ballenger (70) score higher nearby.
Add this score to your site
Writing about Patillo? Copy this code to show its live safety score on your blog or listing.