Safest Counties in Texas: Where Crime Is Lowest in 2026

Crime rates across Texas counties vary by more than 800%. That means where you choose to live inside this state matters more than whether you live in Texas at all.

Most people searching for safe Texas communities look at big-city suburbs. They overlook the fact that some of the lowest-crime areas in America are tucked into the Texas Panhandle and South Texas ranch country, where unemployment sits under 3% and most people know their neighbors by name.

What the Data Actually Shows

Real safety assessment means looking across burglary, assault, robbery, and auto theft together, not just one headline stat. This article uses unemployment rates and college education attainment as community stability proxies, because those two variables correlate strongly with crime rates in peer-reviewed research. The data here comes from 2020-2021 census figures. For specific per-1,000 crime breakdowns across every Texas county, the full dataset lives on Movemap. That's where you can filter by the crime categories that actually matter to you.

The 10 Safest Counties in Texas

1. King County

King County had a 1.7% unemployment rate in 2021, the lowest on this list. That number represents a community where essentially everyone who wants work has it. With a median home price around $38,760 and rent at $658 a month, this is deeply rural West Texas ranch land. About one in five adults holds a degree, which is modest, but the economic stability here is hard to argue with.

2. Hartley County

Hartley County sits in the Texas Panhandle with 2.1% unemployment and a median home price near $176,584. That price point tells you something: this is a place people are buying into, not just passing through. Around 17.8% of adults have a college degree. It's a small agricultural community, but the economic floor is solid.

3. Parmer County

At 2.6% unemployment, Parmer County is another Panhandle entry. Median rent runs $717 a month and homes come in around $103,000. That combination of low unemployment and affordable housing makes it one of the more accessible options on this list if you're thinking about actually moving here. About 17.9% of adults have a degree.

4. Dallam County

Dallam County, home of Dalhart in the far northwest corner of Texas, posts 2.8% unemployment. Homes average around $94,000 and rent is $770 a month. It's flat, it's remote, and it has one of the most stable local labor markets in the state. If you can handle the distance from a major city, the tradeoff is real.

5. McMullen County

This one stands out. McMullen County has 28.8% of adults with college degrees, the highest rate in the top 10, and 2.8% unemployment. The median home is about $117,000. It's a sparsely populated South Texas county, oil and ranching country, but the educated workforce and low unemployment make it a strong combination from a community stability standpoint.

6. Sherman County

Sherman County in the Panhandle has 3.1% unemployment. Homes average around $105,000 and rent runs $790 a month. About 15% of adults hold a degree, which is the lower end of this list. But low unemployment is a more immediate predictor of community stability than education levels alone, and Sherman County's labor market is tight.

7. Edwards County

Edwards County is notable for one reason: $394 a month median rent. That is not a typo. This is a rural Hill Country county with 3.5% unemployment and homes averaging around $73,000. About 18.2% of adults have a degree. If cost of living is part of your safety equation, because financial stress drives crime, Edwards County makes a compelling case.

8. Hansford County

Hansford County is another Panhandle entry at 3.5% unemployment. Homes run about $100,600 and rent is $783 a month. Around 15% of adults hold a degree. It's a small, agriculture-driven community with consistent economic stability across multiple years of data.

9. Baylor County

Baylor County in North Central Texas has 3.5% unemployment and 22.8% of adults with college degrees, the third-highest on this list. Homes average around $65,480 and rent is $523 a month. That's a low cost of living combined with a relatively educated workforce. It's a small county but not a throwaway option.

10. Glasscock County

Glasscock County closes the top 10 with 3.6% unemployment and the highest median home price on the list at $242,064. That price reflects oil country economics in the Permian Basin. About 27% of adults hold a degree. The higher home values suggest a community that's drawing investment, not losing it.

Get the Full Crime Breakdown on Movemap

If you want the actual per-1,000 numbers for burglary, assault, robbery, and auto theft, Movemap has them. The platform covers all 3,143 U.S. counties and lets you filter by specific crime categories so you can compare places that actually match your priorities. Head to movemap.io/explore/us and sign up for full access. Think of it as the research tool you use before committing to a zip code.

FAQ

Are rural Texas counties actually safer or just underreported?

Both factors are real. Rural areas have lower crime, and they also have fewer law enforcement resources to report it. The data directionally holds, but treat rural crime stats as an underestimate.

Is West Texas safer than the Hill Country?

Based on unemployment and economic stability data, the Panhandle counties cluster near the top. But the Hill Country has strong entries too. It depends on which crime categories matter most to you.

Should I move to one of these counties for safety?

Only if the lifestyle fits. These are mostly rural, agricultural communities far from major metros. Low crime is one variable. Access to healthcare, schools, and jobs matters just as much for the actual quality of your life.

Texas has 254 counties. The gap between the safest and most dangerous is enormous. Start with the data, then go visit.