Is Southwest Red Oak safe?
Red Oak, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Southwest Red Oak as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Southwest Red Oak
“Go. Southwest Red Oak is a tranquil, semi-rural suburban community with very low violent crime rates and an established family presence. Visitors will find a peaceful setting, though you will definitely need a personal vehicle to get around.”
About the area
Southwest Red Oak is characterized by sprawling single-family subdivisions, open acreage, and quiet residential streets located just west of Interstate 35E in northern Ellis County. It serves primarily as a quiet bedroom community for commuters working across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
- Quiet Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Semi-Rural
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Southwest Red Oak
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no bike-share programs or dedicated bike lanes in the neighborhood; cycling is limited to neighborhood residential streets or open rural shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are substantially lower than both the Texas and national averages.
- Strong homeownership rates exceeding 75% foster stable and well-kept neighborhoods.
- Above-average median household income with low poverty and low housing vacancy rates.
Cons
- Virtually zero pedestrian infrastructure or sidewalks along rural connector roads.
- Occasional opportunistic property crimes like vehicle break-ins along commercial fringes.
- Completely car-dependent with high drive times to Dallas urban amenities.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Southwest Red Oak, with no encampments or panhandling observed in the residential sections.
What Southwest Red Oak is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with school buses and residents commuting toward Dallas or Waxahachie.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very quiet residential feel with light traffic along main cross streets and safe subdivision streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and secure as families return home; minimal foot traffic and low activity levels.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely dark and silent on rural connector roads, but overall violent crime risk remains very low.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is essentially non-existent in Red Oak; STAR Transit provides limited on-demand curb-to-curb service across Ellis County, and the nearest DART light rail station (Ledbetter Station) is over 16 miles north in Dallas.
Parking is abundant and free everywhere in the area, whether in residential driveways or sprawling commercial strip center surface lots.
Things to do in Southwest Red Oak
- Spend a relaxing afternoon walking the trails and playing sports at nearby Watkins Park.
- Take a scenic country drive along FM 2377 and the rolling rural acreage of northern Ellis County.
- Explore the historic town square and shopping boutiques in neighboring Waxahachie, just 10 minutes south.
Local favorites
- Red Oak Diner · Diner · 4.4★ (750)A cozy neighborhood fixture serving classic homestyle American and Southern breakfast favorites.
- Texas Best Smokehouse · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.2★ (920)Generous portions of slow-smoked brisket, ribs, and savory sides in a down-home setting.
- Villa Pizza & Pasta · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (320)Longtime local spot offering hand-tossed pizzas, calzones, and hearty baked pasta dishes.
Neighborhoods near Southwest Red Oak
Common questions about Southwest Red Oak
Is Southwest Red Oak safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Southwest Red Oak a good place to live?
On safety, Southwest Red Oak scores 84/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Southwest Red Oak?
Walk score 14/100 and bike score 22/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Southwest Red Oak are safer?
Pecan Hill (88), Springfield Lakes (86), The Cove of Hickory Creek (86) score higher nearby.
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