Is Roland safe?
McKinney, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Roland as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Roland
“Go. Roland is an exceptionally safe, quiet rural-residential and exurban enclave on the northern fringe of McKinney. The primary hazards here are wildlife and dark country roads at night rather than crime.”
About the area
Roland is a peaceful, sprawling community northeast of central McKinney characterized by acreage properties, ranchettes, and rolling Collin County countryside. Visitors typically travel through for rural events, equestrian activities, or open-air venues like Myers Park.
- Rural / Exurban
- Peaceful & Quiet
- Scenic Countryside
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Roland
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no designated bike lanes, bike-share stations, or paved multi-use commuter trails; road cyclists use FM 543 and county roads, while mountain bikers head to Erwin Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime is practically nonexistent, and property crime rates are well below national and regional averages.
- Affluent demographic base with high homeownership rates and stable household incomes.
- Tranquil, low-density rural setting with minimal through-traffic and noise.
Cons
- Completely car-dependent with zero walkable retail, dining, or grocery options.
- Narrow county roads lack streetlights, sidewalks, and paved shoulders, posing nighttime driving hazards.
- Emergency response times can be slightly longer than in central McKinney due to the rural road layout.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness and encampments are not present in Roland due to its rural, low-density residential nature and lack of commercial services.
What Roland is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and peaceful with minimal commuter traffic and excellent visibility along rural roads.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet and safe with occasional equestrian trailers and local residential traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and safe, with stunning open Texas sunsets over expansive pastures.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black due to a lack of municipal street lighting, requiring attentive driving to avoid local wildlife.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route public transit in Roland; Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) does not extend into McKinney, and Collin County Transit provides only limited on-demand curb-to-curb service for qualified residents.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the area, consisting of spacious private driveways, open gravel lots, and designated park parking areas.
Things to do in Roland
- Explore the show barns, historic farm museum, and scenic nature trails at Myers Park & Event Center.
- Enjoy outdoor live country music and local wines at BarnHill Vineyard.
- Mountain bike or camp along the wooded nature trails at nearby Erwin Park.
Local favorites
- Myers Park & Event Center · Event Venue & Park · 4.6★ (1150)A spacious 158-acre Collin County park featuring show arenas, walking trails, and botanical gardens.
- BarnHill Vineyard · Winery & Live Music Venue · 4.8★ (320)A rustic outdoor venue offering Texas wines, food trucks, and weekend acoustic concerts in a barn setting.
- Hutchins BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.7★ (8900)Renowned regional smokehouse located a short drive south on Hwy 75 serving brisket and Texas sausage.
Neighborhoods near Roland
Common questions about Roland
Is Roland safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Roland a good place to live?
On safety, Roland scores 90/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Roland?
Walk score 8/100 and bike score 22/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Roland are safer?
Weston Ridge (94), Rhea Mills (93), Bloomdale (92) score higher nearby.
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