Is Red Deer Safe for Travel RIGHT NOW? (2024 Safety Rating)

Safety Index:

* Based on Research & Crime Data

Red Deer is a small city located in Alberta.

It’s located halfway between Calgary and Edmonton.

The average age of residents is less than 40, which makes it a young city.

It’s also well known as a haven for entrepreneurship with industries in the city including healthcare, manufacturing, hospitality, and oil and gas.

The unemployment rate for Red Deer is significantly lower than average.

The city is only 2 hours away from the Alberta Rockies.

You’ll also find plenty of state parks to enjoy.

If culture is your thing, you can check out the Sports Hall of Fame, Trains, Dinner Theatre Hour, and Casino Tours.

Warnings & Dangers in Red Deer

OVERALL RISK: HIGH

Red Deer is considered a risky location due to its crime rate. In 2017, Red Deer was Canada's 5th most dangerous city. Their crime severity index was 207. The national average was only 70, which means Red Deer has more than twice the crime average in Canada. The violent crime index was 149, compared to 75 for the national average. In 2022, the crime severity index was 163 for Red Deer. The violent crime index was also 163, while nonviolent crime was 164. The violent crime index has risen, while the overall crime rate has gone down. Despite the higher crime rate, most residents of Red Deer say they don't feel the area is more dangerous than the average city. Crime seems to be concentrated in rougher neighborhoods.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM

The transit system in Red Deer only operates from 7 am to 8 pm, with a shuttle service operating from 8 pm to midnight. There are two cab companies in the city. While Uber is available, there's a shortage of drivers. Residents say they often wait an hour or more for a ride. They also mention rude cab drivers, and difficulty getting in touch with a ride service. Waiting for a ride in public can leave you vulnerable to crime and the weather.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The risk of pick pocketing in Red Deer is low. There is some risk of pick pockets in larger cities, including Vancouver and Montreal. There have been very few reports of the issue in Red Deer.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH

Natural disasters are a concern in Red Deer. 94% of residents said winter storms, which include blizzards, ice storms, and extremely cold temperatures were a major concern. Tornadoes made the list with 64%, while power outages that lasted longer than 24 hours is on the minds of 63% of residents.

MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM

The risk of mugging in Red Deer is medium, with a rating of 51, which is average. Property crime and theft from vehicles are a bigger problem. The rate for concerns things will be stolen from cars is 78. Property crime is even higher, with a rating of 80, which is high.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk of terrorism in Canada is classified as medium. However, the risk for Red Deer is low. This includes domestic and international terrorism.

SCAMS RISK: HIGH

Phone scams are a problem in Red Deer. This is unlikely to affect you as a tourist, but it's important to be aware of them. The scammer typically tells the victim they owe them money. They then ask for your bank card. In other cases, they have the victim send them Bitcoin. Another large-scale scam involves selling counterfeit first aid credentials. This put the public at risk.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM

Women travelers are at risk, because of the rate of crime and violent crime. However, the rate of worrying about being attacked due to gender, skin color, or sexual orientation is low at 27. Women can feel safe walking alone during the day. However, it's not safe to walk alone at night, particularly if you are a woman.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

Tap water in Red Deer is generally safe to drink. The water is tested often for contaminants. In the spring, snow melt can cause "increased organic materials" in the water. Put simply, your water may have more dirt and minerals during this time. There is a concern about the pipes in older homes containing lead. Homeowners are advised to send water samples for testing if they are concerned. The main pipes for the city are lead-free.

Safest Places to Visit in Red Deer

One of the best neighborhoods in Red Deer is Sunny Brook.

It’s an older quiet neighborhood.

Mountview and Morrisroe are also older neighborhoods with lots of charm.

Tourist areas and local attractions are generally safe.

If you have children, you’ve gotta check out the Discovery Center.

Collicut Center offers indoor ice skating, swimming, waterslides, and a rock climbing wall.

They also have fitness equipment so you can stay in shape.

Popular natural areas include Kerry Wood Nature Center and Bower Pond.

Places to Avoid in Red Deer

Crime in Red Deer is more concentrated in certain neighborhoods.

It’s best to avoid these areas when traveling here.

If you can’t avoid them, be sure to use caution and stay aware of your surroundings.

South Hill is the most violent neighborhood, with crime 52% higher than the average for Red Deer.

The downtown area is next on the list, with 40% more crime than the city average.

Glendale, Normandeau, and Riverside Meadows have crime rates at least 30% higher than the average, so steer clear of these neighborhoods.

Of course, the downtown area, particularly the historic downtown, is a popular place to visit when traveling to Red Deer.

You don’t have to avoid this area completely but use caution.

It’s also best to visit this area during the day and avoid it at night if at all possible.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Red Deer

Stay Aware of Your Surroundings. The first tip when traveling to Red Deer is to stay aware of what’s going on around you. Don’t be lulled into a sense of security or get so distracted by the local sights that you aren’t paying attention. Criminals keep their eyes out for an easy target, and staying vigilant keeps you out of this category.
Travel with Others. It’s best to travel as part of a group. When you are traveling alone, you are more likely to be the victim of a crime, because you are more vulnerable. It’s particularly important at night and in rougher areas of town, including the downtown area. If you are alone, stay in areas where there are plenty of people.
Prepare for the Weather. Summers in Red Deer are mild, but winters are not. With temperatures frequently falling to 0 degrees or lower, the cold is a danger. Dress for the weather, and be careful when you are out and about. Simple problems like a dead car battery can be fatal if you aren’t properly prepared.
Enroll in STEP. STEP, or Smart Traveler Enrollment Program, is a free service provided by the U.S. government. You’ll get notifications about your travel and any security issues. It also makes it easier to reach you in an emergency and connects you with the U.S. Embassy.
Know the Local Wildlife. There are a few dangerous animals that call Red Deer home. Bears are often the most feared animals in the area. Parks or trails will sometimes close due to bear sightings. However, moose are a much bigger concern. Moose aren’t necessarily more aggressive than bears, but they are responsible for more attacks each year. This is because there is a higher population of moose than bears. Coyotes, wolves, and mountain lions can also be found in Red Deer. It’s important to know how to react if you encounter these animals.
Avoid Closed Trails. If you are exploring Red Deer’s natural areas, stay away from closed trails. Trails can be closed for a variety of reasons, including potential avalanches or dangerous animals in the area.
Keep Private Information Private. When you are traveling, you need to be careful with your private information. Don’t give your information to anyone without knowing who they are. If they claim to be a police officer, for example, ask to see their badge. You should also avoid leaving credit cards and passports in your hotel room unattended.
Research Transportation. It’s essential to have a plan for getting around in Red Deer before you arrive. Are you taking your car? Do you plan to rent a car? Take public transit? Hire a taxi? Make sure you know exactly how you will get where you want to go before stepping onto Canadian soil.
Prepare for Emergencies. It’s also wise to prepare for emergencies before your trip. Be sure that you have the contact information for the nearest U.S. Embassy. Bring extra cash or credit cards. Have a contingency plan in case you need help or need to leave the country quickly.
Stay in Touch. Lastly, stay in touch with loved ones. Someone should know where you are at all times. You may plan to hike a trail or simply get dinner downtown. Regardless, make sure someone has your location. If something unexpected happens, this can be vital. It’s also a good idea to have regular check-ins, especially if you are traveling alone. You may tell a friend or family member to expect to hear from you each day or within a certain time frame. If they can’t reach you after the time is up, they will assume something is wrong and contact the local authorities.

So... How Safe Is Red Deer Really?

To get an idea of how safe Red Deer is, we can compare it to other cities.

Red Deer has a crime severity index of 163.

Quebec is a much larger city, with a crime severity index of 54.

Nanaimo has a population similar to Red Deer, and a crime index of 140, which is slightly higher than Red Deer.

When it comes to violent crime, Red Deer has a rating of 163, Quebec’s rating is 77, and Nanaimo’s has 147.

Residents say that you should avoid the rougher areas of town, and be careful walking around at night.

Most residents love the city, despite its problems.

How Does Red Deer Compare?

City	Safety Index
Red Deer	32
Montreal	81
Toronto	81
Vancouver	82
Calgary	82
Niagara Falls	87
Quebec City	85
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)	43
Sofia (Bulgaria)	73
Siem Reap (Cambodia)	63
Phnom Penh (Cambodia)	61
Santiago de Chile (Chile)	71
Hong Kong (China)	70

Useful Information

Visas

When visiting Red Deer, you can get a visa online. However, if you are a U.S. citizen, you can simply provide your birth certificate and photo I.D., or a passport. if you will be in Canada for less than 6 months.

Currency

Canada uses the Canadian dollar. You can use U.S. dollars at many businesses, particularly hotels and tourist attractions. However, the exchange rate will not be favorable to you. You can exchange U.S. dollars for their Canadian counterparts at banks, American Express locations, and post offices. You can also use a travel debit card at an ATM in Canada.

Weather

Red Deer has mild summers, which are longer than most areas of Canada. The temperature during summer averages 74, with temps rarely getting higher than 84 degrees. In the winter, you can expect temperatures below freezing. It's always partly cloudy, there's lots of wind and frequent snowstorms. Temperatures average 5 degrees for the low, but they can fall as low as - 18 degrees.

Airports

The main airport in Red Deer is the Red Deer Regional Airport. It's a charter airport, so you'll need to book a charter flight to utilize the airport. You can also connect in Edmonton or Calgary if you are traveling.

Travel Insurance

If you are traveling to Canada from the U.S. or another country, the Canadian government recommends that you get traveler's insurance. Travel insurance can cover any health expenses you have while traveling. It can also cover lost luggage, canceled reservations, and delays.

Click here to get an offer for travel insurance

Red Deer Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Jan -11° C

Feb -9° C

Mar -3° C

Apr 5° C

May 11° C

Jun 15° C

Jul 17° C

Aug 16° C

Sep 11° C

Oct 5° C

Nov -4° C

Dec -10° C

Average High/Low Temperature

Temperature / Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
High °C	-5	-2	3	11	17	21	23	22	18	11	2	-4
Low °C	-16	-16	-9	-2	4	8	10	9	4	-1	-9	-15
High °F	23	28	37	52	63	70	73	72	64	52	36	25
Low °F	3	3	16	28	39	46	50	48	39	30	16	5

Canada - Safety by City

City	Safety Index
Abbotsford	83
Brampton	82
Burnaby	65
Calgary	82
Coquitlam	86
Edmonton	86
Halifax	79
Hamilton	76
Kelowna	76
Kitchener	75
Mississauga	85
Montreal	81
Nanaimo	32
Niagara Falls	87
Oshawa	42
Ottawa	83
Quebec City	85
Red Deer	32
Regina	74
Saskatoon	73
Thunder Bay	65
Toronto	81
Vancouver	82
Victoria	82
Windsor	81
Winnipeg	77

Is Red Deer Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Canada : Safety by City