Is Glenn Heights Safe, Pros and cons of living in Glenn Heights
Glenn Heights, Texas, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and growing community amenities, making it an attractive option for those seeking a place to settle in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. The city is characterized by its relatively young population and a strong sense of community, fostered by a variety of local events and initiatives.
With a strategic location along IH-35 East, Glenn Heights provides convenient access to major employment centers and cultural attractions in the greater Dallas area. The city’s development over the past few decades has been marked by steady growth, with a significant portion of its land still available for future expansion. This presents an opportunity for continued development and an evolving urban landscape.
Is it Safe to Live in Glenn Heights?
Glenn Heights presents a mixed picture regarding safety, with crime rates that vary by neighborhood. Overall crime rates in Glenn Heights are reported to be lower than the national average, with a 49% decrease compared to national figures (as reported by AreaVibes). Violent crimes are also noted to be 35% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
However, a deeper look reveals that the city’s crime rate is higher than the average U.S. city, earning it a D+ safety grade (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Residents generally perceive the southeast part of the city as the safest, with a significantly lower chance of experiencing crime compared to other areas. The chance of being a victim of crime in Glenn Heights is 1 in 93 overall (as reported by AreaVibes).
Violent Crime Statistics
Violent crime statistics in Glenn Heights show a rate of 235 per 100,000 individuals, which is 34.6% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Specific categories like assault and rape are reported below national averages, with murder rates at 0 (as reported by Niche). Robbery rates are also significantly lower than the national average.
Despite these lower-than-average rates for certain violent crimes, the overall crime rate is considered higher than the national average. The chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime in Glenn Heights is 1 in 420 (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Property Crime Statistics
Property crime rates in Glenn Heights are reported to be 844 per 100,000 residents, which is 52.1% lower than the U.S. average (as reported by AreaVibes). The city’s property crime rate in 2019 was lower than the national property crime rate average by 12.71% (as reported by CityRating.com).
However, NeighborhoodScout indicates that Glenn Heights has an above-average chance of becoming a victim of property crime when compared to all other communities in America of all population sizes. Property crimes include motor vehicle theft, arson, larceny, and burglary.
Cost of Living
Glenn Heights offers a cost of living that is generally in line with, or slightly higher than, the national average, with some expenses being lower and others higher. Overall, the cost of living in Glenn Heights is reported as 3% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).
Housing expenses in Glenn Heights are notably lower than the national average, with costs being 8% less than the national average (as reported by Payscale). This makes housing a more affordable aspect of living in the city compared to many other areas.
Housing Expenses
The median property value in Glenn Heights was $309,600 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). This is lower than the national average property value of $332,700 (as reported by Data USA). Between 2023 and 2024, the median property value saw a significant increase of 22.8% (as reported by Data USA).
The homeownership rate in Glenn Heights is 78.4%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2% (as reported by Data USA). This suggests a strong tendency for residents to own their homes rather than rent.
Rent Prices
As of March 2026, the median rent for all bedroom counts and property types in Glenn Heights, TX, is $2,200, which is 16% higher than the national average (as reported by Zumper). The monthly rent for an apartment in Glenn Heights is approximately $1,501, with a one-bedroom apartment averaging $1,258 and a two-bedroom averaging $1,503 (as reported by Zumper).
Houses for rent in Glenn Heights are more expensive, with an average monthly cost of $2,295 (as reported by Zumper). The average rent in Glenn Heights is $837 per month, which is 49% lower than the national average rent of $1,641/month (as reported by Apartments.com). This presents a discrepancy in reported average rent figures between different sources.
Utilities and Transportation
Utility prices in Glenn Heights are 13% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Conversely, transportation expenses, including bus fares and gas prices, are 11% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).
Grocery prices in Glenn Heights are 2% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Healthcare costs in Glenn Heights are 1% higher than the national average (as reported by Payscale).
Job Market and Economy
Glenn Heights’ economy is driven by a growing workforce and diverse employment sectors, with a notable increase in employment over recent years. The economy of Glenn Heights employs approximately 9,542 people, and between 2023 and 2024, employment grew by 4.58% (as reported by Data USA).
The most common employment sectors for residents are Health Care & Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Educational Services. These sectors represent a significant portion of the local job market, providing a substantial number of opportunities for the workforce.
Average Salary and Income
The median household income in Glenn Heights in 2024 was $81,718, showing growth from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The average per capita income in Glenn Heights is $48,527 (as reported by Data USA).
The average annual salary for a job in Glenn Heights, TX, is approximately $46,000, with an hourly rate of $22.12 (as reported by Zippia). The minimum wage rate in Glenn Heights, TX, is $7.25 per hour, which is equal to the Federal Minimum Wage (as reported by Zippia).
Major Employers
Major employers in the broader Southern Dallas County area, which includes Glenn Heights, feature a diverse range of industries. Significant employers include healthcare institutions like Methodist Hospitals and Veterans Hospital of North Texas, alongside large corporations such as Amazon, UNT Dallas, and Pepsi/Frito Lay (as reported by Southern Dallas County Economic Development Guide).
Within Glenn Heights itself, major employers include Walmart, Dollar General, and Family Dollar, reflecting a strong presence of retail and wholesale businesses. The City of Glenn Heights also serves as a government employer, offering positions in various municipal departments (as reported by Indeed.com and TML Career Center).
Climate and Weather
Glenn Heights experiences a climate typical of North Texas, characterized by hot summers and mild winters. The city has a humid subtropical climate, with distinct warm and cool seasons throughout the year. Temperatures can fluctuate significantly between summer highs and winter lows.
The hot season generally lasts from early June to mid-September, with average daily high temperatures exceeding 87°F. The hottest month is typically August, with average highs around 94°F and lows of 73°F. Conversely, the cool season spans from late November to late February, with average daily highs below 63°F.
Temperatures and Rainfall
January is the coldest month in Glenn Heights, with average low temperatures around 37°F and highs of 56°F. The temperature variation throughout the year is considerable, with temperatures rarely dropping below 25°F or exceeding 101°F. The average annual rainfall in Glenn Heights is approximately 40 inches (as reported by Livability.com).
The city experiences partly cloudy conditions year-round. Based on temperature and precipitation scores, the best time for hot-weather activities like visiting beaches or pools is from early June to mid-September, with a peak in late June (as reported by Time and Date).
Education
Glenn Heights is served by several school districts, with varying performance levels among its educational institutions. The city itself has a limited number of schools, primarily elementary and middle schools, with students often attending schools in neighboring districts for higher education.
Key schools in or serving Glenn Heights include Shields Elementary and Russell P Schupmann Elementary, which are noted for their relatively strong performance. Conversely, Curtistene S McCowan Middle and Frank D Moates Elementary have shown lower test scores and academic performance compared to state averages (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
School Ratings and Districts
The Red Oak Independent School District and DeSoto Independent School District serve Glenn Heights. Red Oak ISD, which includes Shields Elementary, is ranked among the better school districts in Texas, with Red Oak High School receiving a 3.91 out of 5 rating (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger.com).
DeSoto ISD, which includes Curtistene S McCowan Middle and Frank D Moates Elementary, has received a mixed rating of 3.47 out of 5 (as reported by Niche). High rates of free and reduced lunch are present across all schools, indicating a significant population of economically disadvantaged students (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics
Glenn Heights is a growing city with a diverse population, characterized by a significant African American and Hispanic presence. The population has seen substantial growth since 2000, reflecting its appeal as a suburban community within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
As of 2024, Glenn Heights is home to approximately 18,096 residents, with a projected population of 21,588 by 2026 (as reported by Data USA and Glenn Heights, TX Population 2026). The city’s population has increased by 34.26% since the 2020 census.
Population and Diversity
The racial makeup of Glenn Heights is diverse, with the largest groups being Black or African American (approximately 52.9%), followed by Hispanic (around 30.1%) and White (about 15.8%) (as reported by Glenn Heights Demographics and Data USA). In 2024, there were more than three times as many Black or African American residents as any other race or ethnicity (as reported by Data USA).
Citizenship within Glenn Heights is high, with 93.6% of residents being U.S. citizens, which is slightly higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 9.7% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).
Age and Gender Distribution
The median age in Glenn Heights is around 33.8 years (as reported by Glenn Heights, TX Population 2026). The population distribution shows about 21.9% are children under 15, and 7.3% are 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).
Gender-wise, 47.4% of Glenn Heights locals are male, and 52.6% are female (as reported by Point2Homes). For every 100 females, there are approximately 90.1 males (as reported by Glenn Heights, TX Population 2026).