Dawson County Crime & Safety

Dawson County, Texas

Safety Score

14/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2438.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

356.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2082.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

14/100

Higher = safer

State avg 47/100

State Safety Rank

#225

of 254 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dawson County, Texas

Dawson County Matches National Crime Averages

Dawson County’s total crime rate of 2,438.8 per 100,000 residents sits just slightly above the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 96.1, which reflects a typical level of security for the region. These numbers show that local crime trends largely mirror broader national patterns.

Crime Rates Slightly Above State Average

The county's safety score of 96.1 is slightly below the Texas state average of 96.8. With 2,438.8 crimes per 100,000 residents, Dawson County reports a higher frequency of incidents than the statewide average of 2,052.5. Local officials monitor these trends across three different reporting agencies.

Higher Incident Rates Than Nearby Counties

Dawson County faces a higher total crime rate than its neighbor, Deaf Smith County, which reports 1,915.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. While Dawson's violent crime rate of 356.5 is close to the national average, it remains higher than several surrounding rural districts. This contrast emphasizes the need for localized community awareness and prevention.

Analyzing Property vs. Violent Crime

Property crimes make up the bulk of local reports, totaling 2,082.3 per 100,000 people compared to 356.5 for violent crimes. Dawson’s violent crime rate actually sits just below the national average of 369.8. This indicates that while property theft is a concern, the risk of violent interaction is not exceptionally high.

Focus on Home Property Security

With over 2,000 property crimes per 100,000 residents, securing outbuildings and vehicles is essential. Installing motion-sensor lights or reliable deadbolts can effectively lower your risk of becoming a statistic. Active community policing and neighbor-to-neighbor watch programs remain vital tools for Dawson County residents.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dawson County, TX?

Dawson County has a total crime rate of 2438.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (356.5 per 100K) and property crimes (2082.3 per 100K).

Is Dawson County, TX safe?

Dawson County has a safety score of 14/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #225 out of 254 counties in Texas for safety (1 = safest).

How does Dawson County crime compare to the Texas average?

What types of crime are most common in Dawson County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Dawson County?

Crime data for Dawson County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Dawson County?

Dawson County has a safety score of 14/100, which is below the Texas average of 47/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.