Tyler and Waco Recorded Highest 2025 Rape Rates
Reported rape offenses in both Texas cities exceeded statewide averages despite a general decline in total cases.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
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Tyler and Waco had the highest 2025 rape offense rates among large Texas cities, with 96.7 and 94.7 per 100,000 residents respectively. These figures stand in contrast to the statewide 2025 rape rate of 48.03 per 100,000 residents.
Why it matters
The rise in these specific cities occurred even as statewide reported rape offenses fell by 10.16% compared to 2024. Analyzing these variations helps officials understand regional discrepancies in crime trends despite overall state-level improvements.
Tyler recorded 110 rape offenses in 2025, up from 96 in 2024, while Waco reported 140 offenses compared to 132 in the prior year. Statewide NIBRS offenses, which include forcible rape and sexual assault, dropped by 10.16% annually.
The players
Texas Department of Public Safety
This state agency oversees the collection and analysis of crime statistics through the NIBRS reporting system.
The details
Texas DPS defines NIBRS rape offenses as including forcible rape, sodomy, and sexual assault with an object. While Waco experienced a 7% decrease in overall crime during 2025, the number of reported rape offenses specifically trended upward.
Timeline
Statewide NIBRS rape offenses reached 16,878 in 2024.
Tyler recorded 61 rape offenses in 2021.
Both cities reached their highest reported rape rates in 2025.
Dallas reported a 13.4% drop in violent crime in February 2026.
March 20, 2026, marked the DPS deadline for annual crime data submissions.
Legal Context
The use of the National Incident-Based Reporting System allows for granular tracking of specific sex crimes across Texas jurisdictions. This rigorous reporting standard ensures that fluctuations in rates like those seen in Tyler and Waco are measured against a consistent statewide framework.
The elevated rates in these specific cities may lead local agencies to reassess security protocols or public safety communications. Residents in these areas should monitor official updates from local police departments regarding community safety advisories.
The takeaway
Understanding regional crime variance is essential for community members to stay informed about local safety patterns. Residents are encouraged to consult official department reports to understand how these statistical shifts influence local public safety initiatives.
Further reading
For broader trends regarding law enforcement data, explore more in Texas Sex Crimes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WBAP 820 AM.
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