Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Denton, TX has a Safety Score of 42/100 — higher crime than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,948.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,731 of 2,971 US cities and #135 of 240 in Texas.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Denton, Texas Safe?
Denton, home to two universities, is a growing city north of Dallas and Fort Worth. Its vibrant music scene, particularly its jazz heritage, is well-known. The population is diverse, with a notable student presence. Among the city's institutions, University of North Texas stands out as the largest.
Denton has a safety score of 42/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,948.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Denton ranks #135 out of 240 cities in Texas and #1731 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 42nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 58% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Denton is rape, at 57.7 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Denton's total crime rate decreased by 20%, with violent crime declining 17.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Denton Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 336 | 204.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 4.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 95 | 57.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 43 | 26.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 191 | 116.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,871 | 1,744.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 219 | 133.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,420 | 1,470.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 232 | 141.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Denton vs Texas Average
How does Denton's crime rate compare to the Texas state average?
| Metric | Denton | Texas Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 204.2 | 467.4 | -56.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,744.6 | 2,498.3 | -30.2% |
| Murder Rate | 4.3 | 6.3 | -32.2% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,948.8 | 2,965.7 | -34.3% |
Denton Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Denton, Texas.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 164,565 | 1,948.8 | 204.2 | 1,744.6 |
| 2023 | 155,215 | 2,434.7 | 247.4 | 2,187.3 |
| 2022 | 154,230 | 2,775.1 | 290.5 | 2,484.6 |
| 2021 | 150,975 | 2,364.0 | 296.1 | 2,067.9 |
| 2020 | 144,569 | 2,489.5 | 280.8 | 2,208.6 |
| 2019 | 141,492 | 2,117.4 | 233.9 | 1,883.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denton, Texas safe?
Denton has a safety score of 42/100, meaning it has less crime than about 42% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,948.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Denton is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Denton, Texas?
According to FBI data for 2024, Denton has a violent crime rate of 204.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,744.6 per 100,000 residents.
How does Denton compare to the national average?
Denton's total crime rate of 1,948.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 164,565 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Denton?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Denton include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Denton safe to visit?
Like any city, Denton has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 42/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.