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Some people may think San Antonio is unsafe, but it is one of the safest major cities. There are, of course, crimes, and we’ll look at each in detail.
Despite what’s portrayed in TV shows and movies, San Antonio is a relatively safe place to live. In fact, it ranks eighth in the list of safest major cities in the US out of 32.
For the most part, visitors and locals are under the protection of the city’s vigilant and friendly police force. However, this city isn’t perfect; it still experiences hundreds of daily crimes. This article discusses everything you need to know about staying safe in San Antonio, including important statistics to consider before visiting or moving to the city.
Is San Antonio Safe?
Out of the 32 major cities in the US, our city of San Antonio ranks eighth in the safest cities category.
In 2021, the annual crime rate of the city totaled 71,000. This might seem like a large number, but remember that San Antonio is the second-largest city in Texas. It’s also the seventh-most populous city in the US, with a population of approximately 1,580,000.
Although our city isn’t necessarily the safest in America, it still observes fewer crimes than other major cities per 100,000 people. Here’s a brief breakdown of San Antonio crimes in 2021:
| Violent Crimes in 2021 | |
| Murder | 161 |
| Rape | 1,089 |
| Robbery | 1,717 |
| Assault | 7,907 |
| Total | 10,874 |
| Property Crimes in 2021 | |
| Burglary | 7,553 |
| Larceny Theft | 44,306 |
| Vehicle Theft | 8,886 |
| Total | 60,745 |
The San Antonio police reported 10,874 violent crime offenses in 2021, which is about 3% less violent crimes in 2020 at 11,252.
Property crime has significantly increased, however; 60,745 in 2021 as opposed to 54,826 in 2020.
How many sex offenders live in San Antonio?
According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, 99,218 registered sex offenders are in Texas.
Of this, about 3,750 sex offenders live in this city. That’s a ratio of 1 offender per 400 or so residents. Most offenders live in suburban areas like Live Oak and Leon Valley.
A full list of San Antonio’s sex offenders can be found on the San Antonio City Data website and the San Antonio Police Department website. You’ll also find a comprehensive map listing where said offenders live.
What Are the Safest Neighborhoods in San Antonio?
The closer you live to central San Antonio, the higher the crime rate. If you’re planning to visit or move to this city, these neighborhoods are considered the safest:
Helotes
Helotes is one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in San Antonio, not only because of its beautiful homes and friendly community but also because of its low violent crime rate.
Compared to the San Antonio average of 28.6, Helotes has a violent crime rate of only 9.5.
The property crime rate in the area is 28.8, as opposed to the San Antonio average of 52.8.
Fair Oaks Ranch
With a population of just over 10,500 people, Fair Oaks Ranch is home to high-end luxury homes, quality shopping and dining, and many golf courses.
With a violent crime rate of 7.9 and a property crime rate of 11.7, it ranks high in Texas’s ten safest places to live.
Bulverde
With a population of about 5,000 people, Bulverde offers a quiet, rural feel to most of its residents. It’s a beautifully developed area and provides top-tier schooling, homes, shopping, and eating places to fulfill your needs.
This small city has a violent crime rate and property crime rate of 10.3 and 28.5 respectively.
What Are the Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in San Antonio?
San Antonio is considered a safe travel destination in the US, but some neighborhoods are more dangerous than others. Luckily, there are not a lot of “deadly” neighborhoods in this city. Two, in particular, stand out from the rest:
Pecan Valley
Located on the right side of southeast Texas, Pecan Valley is a lower-middle-income neighborhood with a population of 12,600. It’s a generally nice place, with mid-century modern-style homes and good amenities.
Unfortunately, the small city of Pecan Valley is no stranger to shootings, gang dealings, drug trafficking, and violent crimes. A report delivered by San Antonio police states that the violent crimes in Pecan Valley at the end of 2019 were 555% greater than the national average.
East Terrell Hill
The property crime rate and violent crime rate of East Terrel Hill are 465% and 671% greater than the national average, respectively. This makes it one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in San Antonio and the whole of Texas.
The chance of being a property or violent crime victim is 1 in 30.
San Antonio FAQs
Is San Antonio a safe place to retire?
Though San Antonio is the eighth safest major city in the US, it falls near the bottom of the list of the safest cities in Texas.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that this city isn’t a safe place to retire since some neighborhoods are safer than others, but it isn’t a good first choice for retirees looking for a peaceful, crime-free life.
The safest city in Texas to retire is Fulshear, with a violent crime rate of 0 per 1000 people.
What are the chances of being a victim of crime in San Antonio?
According to Neighborhood Scout, a nationwide database for crime data, the chances of becoming a victim of either property or violent crime is 1 in 124, a bit less than in other major cities.
References
- San Antonio, TX Crime Rates and Statistics: https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/tx/san-antonio/crime
- Registered sex offenders in San Antonio, TX: https://www.registeredoffenderslist.org/texas-sex-offenders.html
- Full list and map of San Antonio’s sex offenders: https://www.city-data.com/so/so-San-Antonio-Texas.html
- San Antonio Crime Reports: https://www.sanantonio.gov/sapd/uniform-crime-reports
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Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.
