Is Tenth Street safe?
Dallas, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Tenth Street as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Tenth Street
“Go with care. Tenth Street is an important, historic post-Civil War Freedman's Town, but it faces persistent socioeconomic challenges and higher-than-average rates of violent and property crime. Casual visitors should stick to daylight hours, be mindful of vacant lots and isolated streets, and plan specific stops rather than wandering after dark.”
About the area
Tenth Street is a landmarked historic Freedman's community in East Oak Cliff, characterized by modest shotgun and vernacular cottages, mature trees, and numerous vacant parcels. While rich in African American cultural heritage, it experiences significant disinvestment, infrastructure gaps, and spillover crime from nearby transit and commercial corridors.
- Historic / Landmark
- Residential
- Developing
- Quiet During Day
Walking and biking in Tenth Street
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 49/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is limited within the neighborhood, but cyclists can access the nearby Coombs Creek Trail and Dallas Streetcar link via North Oak Cliff.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Designated National Register Historic District with rare surviving Freedman's Town architecture
- Close proximity to the revitalized Bishop Arts District and downtown Dallas
- Active neighborhood association dedicated to heritage preservation and community advocacy
Cons
- Significantly higher violent and property crime rates compared to national averages
- High poverty rate and median household income well below the citywide average
- Substantial number of vacant lots, deteriorating structures, and poor sidewalk infrastructure
- Frequent incidents of illegal dumping and property theft
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is moderately present, primarily along major transit corridors like 8th Street and around the 8th & Corinth DART station rather than the interior residential blocks.
What Tenth Street is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively quiet with light neighborhood activity and residents heading to work; safe for daylight architectural viewing.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Calm residential atmosphere, though vigilance is recommended around neglected lots and isolated alleyways.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops off sharply after dusk with limited commercial foot traffic and sporadic safety concerns.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Not recommended for walking due to dark stretches, poor lighting, and elevated risk of opportunistic crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) provides light rail access via the 8th & Corinth Station (Red and Blue lines), situated roughly a 10-to-15 minute walk east, supplemented by local bus routes 105 and 214 along nearby corridors.
Free on-street parking is widely available along residential streets, though caution is advised against leaving valuables visible in vehicles.
Things to do in Tenth Street
- Take a self-guided architectural walking tour to view rare remaining 19th-century Freedman's cottages
- Visit Eloise Lundy Park for open green space and community recreation
- Explore the nearby Oak Cliff Cultural Center for local art exhibitions and programming
Local favorites
- Rudy's Chicken · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.4★ (3200)A legendary Southern fried chicken institution located nearby on Lancaster Avenue known for its seasoned wings.
- Panaderia Tierra Caliente · Bakery · 4.5★ (380)Authentic neighborhood bakery serving traditional Mexican sweet bread, pastries, and cakes.
- Taqueria El Si Hay · Taco Restaurant · 4.6★ (2100)A wildly popular, no-frills street taco stand located just northwest in the Bishop Arts / Oak Cliff corridor.
Neighborhoods near Tenth Street
Common questions about Tenth Street
Is Tenth Street safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Tenth Street a good place to live?
On safety, Tenth Street scores 53/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Tenth Street?
Walk score 58/100 and bike score 49/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near Tenth Street are safer?
Kessler Bluffs (76), Bishop Arts District (71), Modera Trinity (70) score higher nearby.
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