Is Highland Village, TX Safe? Crime Rates and Livability in 2026
Both are fair questions at this price point. Homes here sell at a median of around $588,000, spend roughly 25 days on the market, and close at about 99% of list price - sometimes above it. That kind of market doesn't leave a lot of room for second-guessing. This guide walks you through the most recent crime statistics, water quality data, and livability factors so you can make that call with clear eyes.
The Data on Safety in Highland Village, TX
According to FBI-based data analyzed by HomeSnacks, Highland Village recorded 185 total crimes in the most recent reporting year. That works out to a total crime rate of 1,145.5 per 100,000 people across the city's 5.5 square miles.
That's the baseline. It's a single number, and like any single number, it's more useful when you put it in context - which is what the next section does. What's worth noting here is that local emergency services use these figures to plan patrol coverage and allocate resources across the community, so they're not just statistical abstractions.
Comparing Local Crime to State and National Averages
That rate of 1,145.5 per 100,000 sits about 46% below the national average. For reference, Texas reported a statewide total crime rate of 2,965.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024 - about 6% above the national average of 2,785.9, which placed Texas 31st out of 50 states for overall safety. Highland Village's numbers fall well below both of those benchmarks.
Violent and Property Crime Rates
Violent crime here is low. NeighborhoodScout puts the rate at 0.74 per 1,000 residents - roughly 12 recorded incidents in a year - which falls well below the national average.
Property crime is where most of the activity is, as it tends to be in most municipalities. NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI data puts the local property crime rate at 10.78 per 1,000 residents, or about 174 incidents. CrimeGrade.org comes in a bit higher at 14.32 per 1,000 residents in a typical year. The two sources don't perfectly agree, but they're in the same general range.
The multi-year picture tells a consistent story. Over the five-year window from 2019 to 2024, the city averaged a violent crime rate of 30.9 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 117.4 per 100,000 residents.
Recent Crime Trends
Those five-year averages put violent crime 70.9% below the national average and property crime 28.2% below it. Single-year FBI data for the 2023 calendar year recorded just 4 violent crimes and 162 property crimes.
A specific year-over-year percentage change for the city isn't available, but the multi-year figures don't suggest anything volatile. Standard precautions still apply - lock your doors, secure your vehicles. That's true anywhere.
Public Safety and Emergency Services
The Highland Village Police Department runs its own localized operation: 32 full-time sworn officers serving a population of approximately 16,500. You're not relying on a county sheriff's department for daily calls here - this is a dedicated municipal force handling routine patrols, traffic enforcement, and emergency response across town.
Beyond sworn officers, the department is authorized for 9 emergency telecommunicators and 2 administrative staff members, along with 2 part-time public safety support officers and 1 animal care officer. The local fire department also operates within city limits, covering fire suppression and emergency medical services.
How Coverage Works Across Town
The city's compact footprint helps. Telecommunicators dispatch police, fire, and EMS directly from within the municipality, which keeps response times tight.
For routine concerns - noise complaints, non-urgent questions - the police department has a non-emergency line. For anything immediate, 911 routes straight to local dispatchers.
Environmental Safety and Lewisville Lake
The lake is one of Highland Village's defining features, and if you're going to be here, you'll want to understand what's in the water. There's currently no active Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) swim or contact advisory for Lewisville Lake.
That said, the TCEQ has flagged longstanding nutrient enrichment concerns in specific areas - ammonia in the Hickory Creek arm and nitrate-nitrite nitrogen in the Little Elm Creek arm. Separately, the independent water-quality tracker LakeQuality.org currently grades the lake as a 'C (Fair)'. That eutrophic classification reflects high nutrient levels, algae presence, and reduced water clarity. It's not an official public health advisory, but it's worth knowing before you buy a house with a boat dock.
Natural Hazards and Weather Risks
North Texas weather is what it is. Severe thunderstorms are a regular part of life here, and tornado watches come through the area. Flood risk is concentrated along the lake's shoreline and in designated low-lying drainage zones - less of a concern if you're not right on the water.
Wildfire risk in the developed residential areas stays relatively low but can tick up during dry summer months near natural brush. And if your yard backs up to a park or the lake, don't be surprised by the occasional snake or coyote.
What Living in Highland Village is Like
The market data tells part of the story - 23% of homes sell above list price, and available inventory sits at roughly 48 homes. When something comes up that fits, you don't have a lot of time to deliberate.
Day-to-day life here is built around the outdoors. Pilot Knoll Park has camping, boat ramps, and trails right on the water. The Shops at Highland Village handle most routine errands - dining, grocery, retail - without sending you to a neighboring town. Commuters heading to Dallas, TX, or Denton, TX, generally use Interstate 35E or FM 2499, though drive times vary with rush-hour traffic on those corridors.
Recreation and Local Amenities
A network of paved trails connects neighborhoods to parks and retail centers - useful whether you're running or just want to walk somewhere without getting in a car.
For property taxes, utility costs, and school district boundaries, you'll want to dig into dedicated resources on the area's cost of living and school zoning. Those details matter at this price point, and they deserve their own attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Village, TX safe?
Yes, based on available crime data. The total crime rate of 1,145.5 per 100,000 people sits about 46% below the national average.
What is the crime rate in Highland Village, TX?
The city recorded 185 total crimes in the most recent reporting year, according to FBI-based data. The violent crime rate is 0.74 per 1,000 residents, and the property crime rate is 10.78 per 1,000 residents.
How does Highland Village's crime rate compare to the TX and national average?
It's consistently lower than both. Texas reported a total crime rate of 2,965.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024 - Highland Village's rate is less than half of that figure, and it also falls well below the national average.
How reliable are public safety and emergency services in Highland Village?
The city has its own dedicated police and fire departments rather than depending on county-level coverage. The police department employs 32 full-time sworn officers and 9 telecommunicators serving the 5.5-square-mile area.
Is it safe to swim in Lewisville Lake?
There are no active TCEQ swim advisories right now. The lake does have known nutrient enrichment concerns - ammonia in the Hickory Creek arm, nitrate-nitrite nitrogen in the Little Elm Creek arm - and independent trackers at LakeQuality.org grade the water clarity and quality as fair. Conditions can change, so it's worth checking current status before you get in.
What natural hazards should Highland Village residents plan for?
Severe thunderstorms and localized flooding near the lake shore are the main ones. Wildlife encounters with snakes or coyotes can also happen in yards bordering natural areas.
What is Highland Village, TX like to live in?
Suburban, lake-adjacent, and amenity-connected. Homes currently sell in about 25 days, which reflects how steadily people keep showing up for what this town offers.
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