| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Harker Heights/100k people | Texas/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 530 | n/a (estimate) | 1,559 | 2,732 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 8.8 | 6.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 20 | n/a | 58.8 | 50.0 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 8 | n/a | 23.5 | 70.5 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 45 | n/a | 132.3 | 304.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 76 | n/a (estimate) | 224 | 432 | 370 |
| Burglary | 68 | n/a | 200.0 | 334.3 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 342 | n/a | 1,005.8 | 1,634.4 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 44 | n/a | 129.4 | 331.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 454 | n/a (estimate) | 1,335 | 2,300 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Harker Heights crime rate is lower than the national average by 32.9%. Specifically, there were 76 violent crimes in Harker Heights, equivalent to 224 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 39.6%. Furthermore, Harker Heights recorded 454 property crimes, amounting to 1335 per 100,000 residents, which was lower than the average by 31.7%.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Harker Heights. Based on the results of the surveys (27 responses), 56% of people felt that there was very little crime in Harker Heights and felt safe walking alone at night. While 44% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Harker Heights is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Harker Heights has a total crime rate that is 33% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.45 daily crimes (0.21 violent daily crimes and 1.24 daily property crimes) in Harker Heights.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Harker Heights crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Harker Heights has increased by 20.5% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 24.6% and property crime has increased by 19.8%.
Harker Heights has a population density of 2025.7 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Harker Heights crime rates.
In Harker Heights, the cost of living is 7.22% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Harker Heights, the average monthly rent stands at $912, while the national average is $949 per month.
| Item | Harker Heights | Texas | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 60 | 46,020 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.2 | 3.0 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Texas /100K | National /100K |
| Texas | 95,281 | 443 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Nolanville, TX | 5,732 | 152 | 595 | 747 |
| Salado, TX | 2,848 | 42 | 835 | 877 |
| Morgan's Point Resort, TX | 4,555 | 278 | 1,479 | 1,757 |
| Copperas Cove, TX | 32,960 | 317 | 1,728 | 2,045 |
| Belton, TX | 22,173 | 161 | 2,092 | 2,253 |
| Killeen, TX | 148,573 | 542 | 1,747 | 2,288 |
| Fort Hood, TX | 23,302 | 653 | 3,477 | 4,129 |
| Harker Heights, TX | 31,657 | 224 | 1,335 | 1,559 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Bowling Green, OH | 31,638 | 52 | 1,341 | 1,393 |
| American Fork, UT | 31,636 | 102 | 1,693 | 1,794 |
| Alamogordo, NM | 31,635 | 1,003 | 3,838 | 4,841 |
| Southlake, TX | 31,684 | 52 | 1,215 | 1,267 |
| Clearfield, UT | 31,622 | 236 | 1,534 | 1,771 |
| Harker Heights, TX | 31,657 | 224 | 1,335 | 1,559 |
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