8 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Texas

Across Texas, the safest small communities share one key trait: consistency. Each has maintained low violent-crime rates and consistently reported them to the FBI each year. Reliable reporting, community policing, and populations that value stability and quality of life make these eight towns some of the most secure in the Lone Star State.

Rollingwood

Rollingwood, part of the Austin-Round Rock metro area, has maintained a very low crime rate over the past five years.

Austin is known as the Texan capital of “weird,” and nearby Zilker Park embraces that spirit by hosting the Austin City Limits Music Festival each October. Known for live performances from established and emerging Americana and rock musicians, ACL attracts music lovers from around the world.

Each spring, Rollingwood hosts community events such as the Easter Egg Hunt and National Night Out, which bring local families together. The Western Hills Athletic Club offers year-round swimming, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and outdoor fun for the whole family.

Colleyville

Colleyville is a safe city with many outdoor activities for residents and visitors. Colleyville City Park covers 40 acres with sports fields, playgrounds, a pond, an amphitheater, and a one-mile trail for hiking, biking, and skating. The Colleyville Nature Center has another 46 acres of open outdoor space, including more than three miles of trails, a playground, a fishing pier, and nine ponds.

Town Center Colleyville features 30 premium stores, several restaurants, and regular community events. The Grapevine Mills mall is an indoor shopping center with 180 stores, restaurants, a bowling alley, a movie theater, and more.

Trophy Club

The unusually named town in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metro area offers safety, security, and parks for everyone - including the dog. Trophy Club Park features wooded trails surrounded by greenery and offers a boat ramp on Lake Grapevine for boating and fishing. An 18-hole disc golf course in the park is open year-round. Freedom Dog Park spans eight fenced acres, divided into sections for large and small dogs. Owners can test their canines’ athletic prowess on agility courses, sip some refreshment from doggy water fountains, and take a break from the fun under shaded pavilions.

Harmony Park is yet another option for fun outdoors, with 13 acres of playgrounds, sports fields, pickleball and bocce ball courts, and a 1.8-mile walking path equipped with exercise stations along the way.

Shavano Park

Located in San Antonio’s metro area, Shavano Park is just 3.3 square miles, but it is a great neighborhood for families and retirees. It has excellent schools and is just a short drive from San Antonio.

Several parks in the city, including the Salado Creek Greenway, have trails that lead into downtown San Antonio. With nearly 30 miles of paved trails, it’s suitable for walking, jogging, or biking at any level. Every Sunday, the Market at Shavano Park offers locally grown produce and handmade goods at City Hall. Restaurants abound, including Kerbey Lane Cafe, an Austin favorite that recently expanded into the area. They serve breakfast, cocktails, and include vegan and gluten-free options.

Highland Park

Highland Park is in the Dallas metro area and is the home of Highland Park Village, the first self-contained shopping center in America, which opened in 1931. It has since been named a National Historic Landmark. The mall features upscale shopping from luxury designer stores that draw a wealthy clientele.

The Highland Park Village Theatre is a moviehouse with Spanish-inspired architecture and hand-painted murals depicting Texas history. Lakeside Park offers 14 acres of green space along Turtle Creek with walking trails, benches, and the whimsical Teddy Bear Garden, featuring four granite bear sculptures.

West University Place

The Houston suburb of West University Place is adjacent to Rice University, offering residents plenty of things to do nearby. The Moody Center for the Arts holds exhibits, musical performances, and installations throughout the year, while public art across campus includes sculptures and graphic pieces.

For more casual activities, Rice Village is a popular shopping district with more than 300 stores, including national retailers, independent boutiques, and restaurants. Residents can also visit the Houston Farmers Market on Airline Drive, open daily and featuring local produce and artisanal foods. On warm days, families enjoy Whitt Johnson Park for its playground, gaga ball pit, basketball courts, and picnic areas.

Southlake

The Dallas-Fort Worth community of Southlake celebrates holidays and seasons with numerous festivals throughout the year, reflecting its strong sense of community. Southlake Town Square offers shopping from more than 120 national and local retailers. The Bob Jones Nature Center & Preserve features more than 700 acres of land, 1,100 plant and animal species, and 20 miles of trails for hiking or jogging. Visitors sometimes spot tracks of bobcats, deer, or coyotes along the preserve’s trails.

The Texas Rangers Miracle Field is designed for children with developmental challenges, featuring turf surfaces and wheelchair-accessible play areas. The APEX Art League, a community nonprofit, brings art and culture to the city through symphony concerts, dance performances, and film screenings.

Helotes

Helotes is a safe Texas community northwest of San Antonio. Named for the Spanish word for “corn,” Helotes holds the Cornyval Festival every year over four days in the spring to celebrate the town and its agricultural roots. To commemorate the city’s musical roots, John T. Floore’s Country Store, a historic venue in Helotes, is closely associated with country legend Willie Nelson, who performed there early in his career and later referenced owner John T. Floore in his song ‘Shotgun Willie.’ The dance hall has also hosted legends such as Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan, and many others over its 75 years.

For a thorough history of Floore’s, as well as other historical sites, visit Old Town Helotes for a walking tour. Hiking, biking, and camping enthusiasts will find a wealth of trails and campsites at the Government Canyon State Natural Area. More than 40 miles of trails, including a Discovery Trail for kids, are within the preserve’s 13,000 acres.

Safe Havens in the Lone Star State

These eight small Texas communities prove that safety reflects how people choose to live, work, and connect with one another. Whether anchored by high-quality retail establishments, abundant parks, historic main streets, or celebrated local traditions, each town on the list demonstrates a shared commitment to consistency and transparency in reporting crimes and community-first values. Together, they indicate that in a state renowned for its size, some of the most secure and rewarding places to settle are those where neighbors look out for one another and small-town life thrives with a big-hearted pride.