Texas is a state that boasts a diverse population and a vast array of towns and cities. With over 29 million people, it is home to multiple large cities, each with its own unique set of challenges and advantages. In this article, we’ll be examining the ten cities in Texas that have the highest crime rates. Despite the state’s overall reputation for safety, these cities are facing significant challenges when it comes to keeping their residents safe.
Our compilation of the most violent cities in Texas is based on data extracted from the 2021-22 Uniform Crime Report by the FBI, as well as State and Local crime data from 2022. To determine the ranking, we analyzed the rate of crimes and violent crimes per 1,000 people, also known as per capita.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Texas
1. Houston
Houston, Texas has been identified as the most dangerous city in the state. With a population of 2.33 million, Houston has a violent crime rate of 2.67 per 1,000 residents, while property crime stands at 10.70 per 1,000 residents. Shockingly, the city reported 6,241 violent crimes in 2022 alone, which included 399 murders. Property crime is also a major concern, with 95,926 incidents reported in the same year. These statistics mean that the likelihood of becoming a victim of a property crime is 1 in 23, while the probability of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 78.
Houston has some neighborhoods that are considered to be the most dangerous areas in the city. These neighborhoods include Sunnyside, MacGregor, Sharptown, and Greenspoint. Despite the city’s efforts to improve safety in these areas, residents and visitors alike should exercise caution when visiting these neighborhoods.
2. San Antonio
With a population of 1.59 million, San Antonio is considered one of the most dangerous cities in Texas due to the high incidents of violent crime. In 2022, the city recorded 2,918 cases of violent crime, resulting in a violent crime rate of 1.83 incidents per 1,000 people. Property crime is also a significant concern, with 10.83 incidents per 1,000 people. San Antonio’s homicide rate peaked in 2016 with 151 murders, the highest in 20 years. Unfortunately, the murder rate has increased over the years, reaching a 30-year high of 195 in 2022. The majority of violent crimes in San Antonio are related to gang activity, with many murders resulting from domestic incidents or drug-related activities.
San Antonio, like any other city, has its share of neighborhoods that are considered less desirable than others. The neighborhoods that often come up as the worst in San Antonio include Pecan Valley, East Terrell Hills, Arena District, Villa De San Antonio, and Westwood Village. Despite their less-than-stellar reputations, it’s important to remember that these neighborhoods are still home to many people who call them home.
3. Lubbock
With a population of 327,424, Lubbock, Texas has a violent crime rate of 2.23 per 1,000 individuals, which is 121% higher than the national average. Unfortunately, the crime rate has increased by ten percent from 2021-22. Moreover, the city has seen a significant surge in homicides, with an increase of 182% between 2019 to 2020, from 11 to 31. As of 2022, the local homicide rate stands at 9.5 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the national rate of 6.5 per 100,000.
4. Beaumont
Beaumont is a city in Texas that has seen a high level of violence. With a population of 112,556, the city has a violent crime rate of 2.5 per 1,000 people, which is 93% higher than the national average. In the Beaumont metro area, violent crime rates have risen by almost 12% from 2019 to 2022. The district attorney for Jefferson County, which covers both Beaumont and Port Arthur, has attributed the increase in violent crime to the pandemic-related delays in criminal trials. This has resulted in a backlog of cases, allowing violent offenders to remain on the street for longer periods than they otherwise would.
5. Dallas
Dallas, with a population of over 1.3 million, is among the largest cities in Texas. However, it also has a darker side to it – the city has a crime rate of 4,291 per 100,000 people, making it 83% more dangerous than the national average. Shockingly, the odds of falling prey to a violent crime in Dallas are 1 in 113. The year 2020 saw a staggering 11,534 violent crimes, including 235 murders, 3,296 robberies, and 7,428 robberies. Sadly, shootings are a common occurrence in Dallas, with most being attributed to gang activity.
Dallas has some neighborhoods that are considered to be more dangerous than others. These neighborhoods include South Boulevard Park Row, Cedar Crest, South Dallas, Convention Center District, and Northwest Dallas. It is important to be aware of these areas and take necessary precautions when visiting or living in these neighborhoods.
6. Mesquite
Mesquite, with a population of 147,691, has a crime rate that is significantly higher than the national average by 69%. The year 2020 witnessed 617 incidents of violent crime, which included 11 murders, 149 robberies, and 390 assaults. Property crime was also prevalent, with a staggering 5,000 incidents reported, including 735 cases of burglary and 854 cases of vehicle theft. Theft and burglary were the most commonly reported property crimes in Mesquite in 2020.
Mesquite’s Northwest and Southeast areas are known to be the most perilous neighborhoods in the city.
7. Austin
In Texas, Austin is unfortunately known as one of the most perilous cities. The reported instances of violent crimes in Austin have been on the rise, with 1,139 cases reported in 2021 increasing to 1,282 in 2022. The violent crime rate stands at 1.24 per 1000 individuals, and the property crime rate is 8.36 per 1000 people. Austin’s ranking among the 30 largest cities in the United States for violent crime per 100,000 residents is 28th, which is a concerning figure.
Austin has a few neighborhoods that are considered to be unsafe due to their high crime rates. These areas include Riverside, Rosewood, Bouldin, and MLK. It is important to exercise caution when visiting these neighborhoods to ensure your safety.
8. Corpus Christi
In Corpus Christi, crime rates have been recorded at 686 cases in 2021 and 619 in 2022. The city has a violent crime rate of 1.88 per 1000 persons and a property crime rate of 7.52 per 1000 people. Shockingly, there were 2,824 incidents of violent crime in 2021, increasing the likelihood of becoming a victim of violent crime to 1 in 133, which is 75% higher than the national average. Interestingly, your chances of being a victim of crime in Corpus Christi vary based on location. The northern areas of the city have a higher risk with a probability of 1 in 12, while the southwest part of the city has a lower risk, with a probability of 1 in 67.
9. Waco
Waco, with a population of 138,486, has a crime rate of 7.18 per 1,000 people, which makes it 74% more dangerous than the national average. The year 2020 witnessed 911 violent crimes, comprising 14 murders, 143 robberies, and 671 assaults. Moreover, over 5,000 property crimes were reported, including 882 burglaries and 422 incidents of vehicle theft.
10. Pasadena
Pasadena, with a population of 135,732, has a crime rate of 2,428 per 100,000 people, which is 5% higher than the US average. Unfortunately, residents have a 1 in 332 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. In 2020 alone, there were 7 murders, 119 robberies, and 241 assaults reported in the city. Property crimes were also alarmingly high, with 3,000 incidents reported in the same year. These included 678 burglaries, 2,038 thefts, and 361 incidents of motor vehicle theft.
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