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Texas can be scary if you’re basing your judgment on how it’s portrayed in movies. I’m sure we’ve all seen our fair share of the lawless Wild West, with guns and cowboys going on a wild rampage. Then, there are portrayals of drug empires with – you guessed it – lots of guns and violence.
Why don’t we put pop culture aside and use facts and statistics to see if Texas is dangerous?
Texas is one of the most dangerous states in America due to the current – and past – crime rates. Yet, having lived there for some time, I now know which cities are more riddled with crime than others. So, combining my first-hand experience with statistics from reliable sources, I rounded up the ten most dangerous cities in Texas.
Take a look.
Danger in Texas Compared to Other States
Texas is ranked the fifth most dangerous state in the U.S. several statistical parameters are collectively used to calculate this rank.
For example, the number of violent crimes per 100,000 people per year in one state is ranked against the rest. Crimes are usually classified into two groups: violent crimes and property crimes.
Violent crimes refer to offenses carried out to cause physical harm to others. Examples of violent crimes are murder, rape, mass shootings, and assault.
On the other hand, property crimes are felonies to obtain money or property. Usually, both stealing and destroying properties classify under property crimes. A few examples of property crimes include burglary, theft, shoplifting, and vandalism.
The table below shows various states’ incidence counts and violent crime rates. You can see that Texas comes in at number 16 out of 52, which places it in the top third. By the number of incidents reported, Texas comes in second place with 131,084 offenses.
| Rank | State | Incidence count | Violent Crime rate |
| #1 | District of Colombia | 7,127 | 999.8 |
| #2 | Alaska | 6,126 | 837.8 |
| #3 | New Mexico | 16,393 | 778.3 |
| #16 | Texas | 131,084 | 446.5 |
| #17 | California | 174,026 | 442.0 |
What Are The Most Dangerous Cities in Texas?
The highest crime rates in Texas are usually in neighborhoods where residents have low incomes, high unemployment rates, and poor housing conditions. In 2021, Texas suffered 438 violent crimes and 2,562 property crimes per 100,000 people.
Below, you’ll find the ten most high-risk cities in Texas listed with their crime rates per 100,000 residents.
Lubbock
This city is notorious for robberies, with 658 incidents reported in 2021. This makes Lubbock one of the most terrifying cities in Texas. In addition, this city ranks as the third most dangerous in all of the U.S.
Bellmead
Nationwide, Bellmead is considered to be one of the top 30 most menacing cities in America. In 2018, 1,294 violent crimes and 6,196 property crimes were reported per 100,000 inhabitants.
Houston
Houston is one of the most populated cities in Texas, with 2.3 million residents. This Texan city is ranked the third most unsafe area in Texas. Unfortunately, police reports show there were six murders and 233 robbery incidents within the span of a few months.
Amarillo
Many of Amarillo’s residents have low incomes, and the housing there is cheap. In 2015, Amarillo was the sixth most violent city in Texas. It had the highest number of rapes in Texas, at 85 incidents per 100,000 people.
Bexar county
Although Bexar county isn’t a city, it made a list for its staggering number of sexual assaults. In one year, 1,793 reports of sexual assaults were filed. This number is quite high since most other Texan counties had numbers that came in well below a thousand.
Humble
Unfortunately for people in this city, Humble has been one of the most perilous cities in Texas for several consecutive years. In 2018 and 2019, there were 899 violent crimes and 10,404 property crimes. This figure is astronomical, considering the national property crime rate is 2,110.
Corpus Christi
Compared with the national average crime rate, the Corpus Christi metro area is one of the most dangerous places to live. Regarding violent crimes, there were 738 incidents for every 100,000 residents in 2020. In that same year, the U.S crime rate was 399. Also, the number of homicides jumped from 35 to 43 in one year.
Beaumont
Beaumont is one of the most high-risk cities in Texas. In 2018 alone, there were 13 incidents of murder, 99 rapes, 798 aggravated assaults, and 359 robberies. This places Beaumont as the third most dangerous city in Texas.
Texarkana
According to the FBI Crime Report in 2019, Texarkana is one of the most dangerous cities in Texas. The recorded violent crime rate was 420 per 100,000 inhabitants. This rate is a staggering 101% more than the national average.
Odessa
Odessa is another high-risk city in Texas. It has, by far, the highest crime rates. In 2021, the violent crime rate was 911. The property crime rate was 2,787. This is why Odessa is rated as one of the top 25 most dangerous cities in the U.S.
Crime and Danger FAQ
What part of Texas is dangerous?
The most dangerous parts of Texas are often the poor and highly populated areas in urban cities. The top three are:
– Bexar County
– Odessa
– Lubbock
When is the safest time to visit Texas?
Generally, it’s safer to explore Texas during the day. This is because most crimes usually occur at night.
Which is safer: Texas or California?
According to statistics, Texas and California come very close with regard to violent crime rates. However, California is comparatively safer.
Which state has the lowest crime rate?
Maine, the northeasternmost state, has the lowest violent and property crime rates in America.
How dangerous is Texas?
Texas ranks number 16 in violent crime rate in the U.S. and is the second state with the most reported incidents.
References:
- Highest Crime Rates: https://www.dps.texas.gov/sites/default/files/documents/crimereports/20/2020cit.pdf
- Ranked the Fifth Most Dangerous State: https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/crime-rate-by-state
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Christian Linden is a seasoned writer and contributor at Texas View, specializing in topics that resonate with the Texan community. With over a decade of experience in journalism, Christian brings a wealth of knowledge in local politics, culture, and lifestyle. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications from the University of Texas. When he's not writing, Christian enjoys spending weekends traveling across Texas with his family, exploring everything from bustling cities to serene landscapes.
