Is Rhoades Heights safe?
Lubbock, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Rhoades Heights as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Rhoades Heights
“Go with care. Rhoades Heights is a modest, established residential neighborhood close to Texas Tech University with a quiet daytime atmosphere. While serious violent crime is comparatively infrequent, property crime such as vehicle break-ins and theft is elevated, making standard precautions essential after dark.”
About the area
Rhoades Heights is an older mid-century residential neighborhood in central Lubbock populated by a mix of long-time homeowners, renters, and college students. Its proximity to Texas Tech University and commercial arterials like 19th and 34th Streets offers practical convenience, though housing conditions and street lighting vary block by block.
- College Adjacent
- Mid-Century
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Rhoades Heights
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 62/100
There is no city bike-share system, but the flat terrain and low-speed residential grid provide reasonable cycling access to campus and nearby bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Convenient central location close to Texas Tech University, medical facilities, and retail corridors
- Generally quiet residential environment during daytime hours
- Abundant free street and driveway parking across the neighborhood
Cons
- Elevated rate of property crime including car break-ins and bicycle thefts
- Variable street lighting and inconsistent sidewalk infrastructure on interior streets
- Higher rental concentration leading to frequent tenant turnover and occasional party noise
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is uncommon within the interior residential streets, though occasional panhandling and unhoused individuals are seen along commercial borders like Avenue Q and 19th Street.
What Rhoades Heights is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm with light traffic as residents and students head out for daily commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Safe and quiet with occasional neighborhood foot traffic and delivery activity.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Mostly subdued, though limited lighting on some residential blocks warrants standard alertness.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally quiet, but walking alone is not recommended due to dim lighting and opportunistic property crime risks.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by Citibus, with fixed routes such as Route 5 and Route 19 servicing nearby arterials like 19th and 34th Streets, connecting riders to the Downtown Transfer Plaza.
Street parking is free and plentiful throughout the residential grid, and commercial plazas along the border streets offer ample complimentary surface lots.
Things to do in Rhoades Heights
- Visit nearby Clapp Park to explore the Lubbock Memorial Arboretum and walking paths
- Take a short drive north to tour the historic Texas Tech University campus and its public art collection
- Explore local vintage stores and classic dining along the 34th Street commercial corridor
Local favorites
- Caprock Cafe · Sports Bar & Grill · 4.5★ (3400)A legendary Lubbock staple known for green chile cheeseburgers, cold beer, and live sports on TV.
- Sugar Browns Coffee Co. · Coffee Shop · 4.6★ (1150)A popular neighborhood spot serving specialty coffee, house-baked pastries, and cozy study spaces.
- Tom & Bingo's Hickory Pit Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (480)An iconic smokehouse serving hickory-smoked brisket, ribs, and classic Texas BBQ sandwiches since 1952.
Neighborhoods near Rhoades Heights
Common questions about Rhoades Heights
Is Rhoades Heights safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Rhoades Heights a good place to live?
On safety, Rhoades Heights scores 64/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Rhoades Heights?
Walk score 52/100 and bike score 62/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Rhoades Heights are safer?
South Lubbock (84), South Brook (83), South Mesa (78) score higher nearby.
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