Most dangerous cities in Texas research summary. We analyzed the most recent FBI crime data using Saturday Night Science to determine the most dangerous cities in Texas.
We examined the violent and property crime per capita statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. In total, we analyzed 366 Texas cities. Here are the results of our analysis:
-
The most dangerous city in Texas is Humble based on the most recent FBI crime data.
-
The violent crime rate in Texas is 1,100 per 100k people.
-
The property crime rate in Texas is 10,811 per 100k people.
-
The safest city in Texas is Melissa.
-
Texas is the 11th most dangerous state in the United States.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Table | Methodology | FAQs | References
Everything might be bigger in Texas, including crime in Texas’s most dangerous cities. These cities are dealing with high unemployment, low wages, and higher-than-average poverty rates.
We turned to the data to identify the most dangerous cities in Texas. Using Saturday Night Science, we compared the FBI data for violent and property crimes rates in the 366 cities with a population of 5,000.
Texas has over 200 police officers for every 100,000 residents, but they can’t be everywhere, so the areas around cities like Houston and Beaumont are starting to feel the effects of higher crime.
Now, grab some Tex-Mex and review our results.
The Most Dangerous Cities In Texas For 2023
What is the most dangerous place in Texas for 2023? The most dangerous city in Texas is Humble.
If you live in Texas’s safest city, Melissa, keep enjoying life; but if you don’t, we suggest you take a look at the report below.
For more Texas reading, check out:
- Most dangerous cities in the US
- Best Places To Live In Texas
- Cheapest Places To Live In Texas
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Texas
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Texas For 2023
/10
Population: 16,085
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,100 (Sixth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 10,811 (Most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Humble: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
It’s good to be humble, but it’s dangerous to live in Humble, Texas, a city 20 miles north of Houston. While Humble took the top spot on this list thanks to its egregious amount of violent crime, Humble actually has the highest overall crime rate statewide, outstripping the national average by over 300%.
That’s mostly due to a crazy high rate of property crime, with a typical resident facing a 1 in 9 chance of having their possessions damaged or stolen.
Sadly, the bad news doesn’t end there. Humble also has the highest frequency of rape cases in all of Texas, as well as the highest murder rate of any place on this list. If you need a moment to get away from the anxiety of high crime, the Mercer Botanic Gardens make for a good sanctuary.
/10
Population: 2,276,533
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,141 (Fifth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,581 (11th most dangerous)
Murders: 433
More on Houston: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Houston, we have a problem: namely, crime. As far as the Houston-Dallas rivalry goes, Houston is the definite loser in terms of criminal activity, seeing as Dallas isn’t even in the top fifty most dangerous cities statewide. Violent crime is the major problem in Houston, with 25,987 cases of people being killed, attacked, or raped in 2022. That adds up to a 1 in 87 chance of being the victim of such a crime — not great.
You can still definitely have a nice day out at Discovery Green, downtown Houston’s public urban park, but we do recommend buddying up after dark. That, and doing your best to avoid Houston’s worst neighborhoods.
/10
Population: 1,465,608
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 882 (11th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,068 (Tenth most dangerous)
Murders: 230
More on San Antonio: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Texas’ second-biggest city and home to the Alamo, San Antonio isn’t quite the war zone it was back in 1836. Still, the city had 230 murders in 2022, and 12,935 violent crimes overall.
You’d also be well-advised to watch your pockets and purses when you’re at the River Walk because San Antonio also had a whopping 52,586 larceny cases over the year. That’s a lot of stolen phones and wallets.
Your car isn’t all that safe in San Antonio either, seeing as more than 20 cars a day are stolen in the city.
/10
Population: 264,142
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,063 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,134 (14th most dangerous)
Murders: 25
More on Lubbock: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Located in the South Plains region of northwestern Texas, Lubbock comes in as the fourth most dangerous place to call home in the state. Lubbock experienced 25 murders in 2022, greatly contributing to the city’s status as the place with the ninth highest rate of violent crime in the state.
Property crime is also quite high, with an average of 32 such cases happening every day in Lubbock. So when your parents tell you to be safe before sending you off to Texas Tech University, they’re not just being paranoid.
/10
Population: 5,937
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 757 (19th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,861 (Sixth most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Livingston: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
A town of 5,937 some 60 miles north of Houston, Livingston is the smallest place on this list, proving that living in a small town is no guarantee of a safe community. In fairness, Livingston wasn’t even in the top 30 most dangerous places in Texas last year, so maybe 2023 will just be a fluke.
Property crime makes up the bulk of Livingston’s problem, with 348 such cases recorded in 2023. So make sure nobody pilfers your haul after a day of fishing at Lake Livingston.
On top of property damage and theft, a violent crime occurred in Livingston about once every ten days, which isn’t exactly a great track record for such a small town.
/10
Population: 110,898
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,080 (Seventh most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,881 (20th most dangerous)
Murders: 18
More on Beaumont: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
The next stop on our tour of the most dangerous places in Texas is Beaumont, a city about 85 miles east of Houston. To give you some perspective of just how violent Beaumont is, you have a much greater chance of being attacked by a human being than an alligator in Gator Country. Seriously, there’s a 1 in 92 chance of being assaulted, raped, or killed each year in Beaumont. Yikes.
So while Beaumont might have the lowest property crime rate of any city on this list, we think that a seventh highest place ranking in violent crime makes it a whole lot scarier.
/10
Population: 5,594
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 732 (21st most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 5,809 (Seventh most dangerous)
Murders: 0
More on Hutchins: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Located in Dallas County, Hutchins, Texas, the city gained regional prominence with the completion of the Houston and Texas Central Railroad. However, by 2023, Hutchins has found itself ranked as the seventh most dangerous place to live in Texas.
The city’s crime statistics are alarming with 732/100k and 5,809/100k reported for its population of 5,594. The city has the 2highest violent crime rate and ranks 7 for property crime. The overall crime rate, tallied at 6,542/100k, solidifies Hutchins’ unfortunate standing as a dangerous place to reside in Texas.
/10
Population: 17,727
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 987 (Tenth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,768 (23rd most dangerous)
Murders: 5
More on Alice: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Alice has a rich cultural history. The town is known as the “Birthplace of Tejano Music,” a distinction it gets because a recording studio that helped launch the genre in the 1940s was located in town. Beyond that, Alice has storied history in science. Two Nobel Prize winners were born in this southeast Texas town.
But Alice has another distinction that’s not so appealing. It’s also the number 8 most dangerous spot in Texas. This comes as a result of high rates of burglary and arson.
/10
Population: 1,286,121
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 778 (15th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,812 (21st most dangerous)
Murders: 157
More on Dallas: Data | Crime | Cost Of Living
Dallas represents one of the country’s largest metropolitan areas. Also, one of its most iconic — in many ways, when people outside of Texas think of the state, their minds turn to Dallas.
Given its size and rich history, the city offers its residents wide ranging amenities. From professional sports teams to botanical gardens to art museums, whatever your taste in recreational activities, you can likely find something to do in Dallas.
However, like most big cities, Dallas also faces down a sizable crime problem. Violent crime represents a particular concern. The city reported 157 murders and 492 sexual assaults in a year. Dallas also faces a high rate of car thefts and robberies.
10. Lufkin,
Population: 35,007
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 811 (12th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,490 (32nd most dangerous)
Murders: 2
More on Lufkin,:
Lufkin, located in Angelina County, Texas, with a population of 35,007, is ranked as the tenth most dangerous place to live in the state in 2023. This ranking arises from its alarming crime rates, with 284 violent crimes reported, including 2 murders, 32 rapes, and 204 aggravated assaults. The city also suffers from a high property crime rate, with 1,222 incidents noted in the same year.
Crime By City In Texas
| Rank | City | Population | Total Crimes Per 100K | Violent Crimes Per 100K | Property Crimes Per 100K | Murders |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Humble | 16,085 | 11,911 | 1,100 | 10,811 | 2 |
| 2 | Houston | 2,276,533 | 5,723 | 1,141 | 4,581 | 433 |
| 3 | San Antonio | 1,465,608 | 5,951 | 882 | 5,068 | 230 |
| 4 | Lubbock | 264,142 | 5,198 | 1,063 | 4,134 | 25 |
| 5 | Livingston | 5,937 | 6,619 | 757 | 5,861 | 0 |
| 6 | Beaumont | 110,898 | 4,962 | 1,080 | 3,881 | 18 |
| 7 | Hutchins | 5,594 | 6,542 | 732 | 5,809 | 0 |
| 8 | Alice | 17,727 | 4,755 | 987 | 3,768 | 5 |
| 9 | Dallas | 1,286,121 | 4,591 | 778 | 3,812 | 157 |
| 10 | Lufkin, | 35,007 | 4,301 | 811 | 3,490 | 2 |
| 11 | Leon Valley | 11,402 | 6,981 | 561 | 6,419 | 2 |
| 12 | Amarillo | 201,572 | 4,233 | 762 | 3,471 | 23 |
| 13 | Cleveland | 8,285 | 4,755 | 579 | 4,176 | 3 |
| 14 | Corpus Christi | 317,694 | 3,911 | 790 | 3,120 | 41 |
| 15 | El Campo | 12,235 | 4,503 | 604 | 3,898 | 1 |
| 16 | Alamo | 20,383 | 4,685 | 569 | 4,116 | 1 |
| 17 | Stafford | 17,110 | 5,680 | 514 | 5,166 | 2 |
| 18 | Waco | 140,911 | 3,871 | 642 | 3,228 | 14 |
| 19 | Mercedes | 16,365 | 3,696 | 800 | 2,896 | 0 |
| 20 | Elsa | 5,683 | 4,979 | 510 | 4,469 | 1 |
| 21 | Webster | 11,952 | 8,868 | 476 | 8,391 | 0 |
| 22 | South Houston | 15,613 | 3,823 | 621 | 3,202 | 3 |
| 23 | Addison | 17,531 | 8,596 | 473 | 8,122 | 1 |
| 24 | Donna | 16,842 | 3,800 | 1,145 | 2,654 | 2 |
| 25 | Lancaster | 40,615 | 3,710 | 627 | 3,082 | 3 |
| 26 | Austin | 965,234 | 4,130 | 540 | 3,589 | 69 |
| 27 | Paris | 24,392 | 3,439 | 774 | 2,664 | 2 |
| 28 | Aransas Pass | 8,056 | 3,587 | 558 | 3,028 | 3 |
| 29 | Henderson | 12,989 | 3,425 | 669 | 2,756 | 2 |
| 30 | Lufkin | 34,063 | 4,165 | 472 | 3,693 | 2 |
| 31 | Pasadena | 145,954 | 3,429 | 626 | 2,802 | 11 |
| 32 | Palestine | 19,113 | 3,275 | 695 | 2,579 | 1 |
| 33 | Robstown | 10,155 | 3,495 | 541 | 2,954 | 0 |
| 34 | Uvalde | 15,410 | 3,231 | 765 | 2,465 | 22 |
| 35 | Jasper | 7,706 | 4,152 | 467 | 3,685 | 1 |
| 36 | Beeville | 13,592 | 5,635 | 419 | 5,216 | 0 |
| 37 | Mesquite | 147,226 | 4,115 | 466 | 3,648 | 9 |
| 38 | San Marcos | 69,470 | 3,247 | 640 | 2,606 | 0 |
| 39 | Baytown | 81,477 | 4,344 | 439 | 3,905 | 2 |
| 40 | La Marque | 19,068 | 4,085 | 440 | 3,644 | 5 |
| 41 | Navasota | 8,459 | 3,085 | 709 | 2,376 | 1 |
| 42 | Carthage | 6,558 | 3,964 | 442 | 3,522 | 0 |
| 43 | Levelland | 12,579 | 3,275 | 1,065 | 2,210 | 0 |
| 44 | Balch Springs | 26,973 | 3,481 | 478 | 3,003 | 3 |
| 45 | Arlington | 391,591 | 3,104 | 580 | 2,524 | 16 |
| 46 | Jacksonville | 14,196 | 3,085 | 549 | 2,535 | 0 |
| 47 | Bastrop | 11,101 | 3,441 | 459 | 2,981 | 0 |
| 48 | Fort Worth | 948,605 | 3,242 | 502 | 2,739 | 100 |
| 49 | Galveston | 52,920 | 3,393 | 468 | 2,925 | 6 |
| 50 | Crockett | 6,428 | 3,624 | 435 | 3,189 | 0 |
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Texas for 2023?
Every year the FBI release two crime datasets on cities in Texas. First a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in Texas, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.
For our analysis, we focused on the 2022 data, specifically the 2022 Crime In The United States Report for Texas.
So what criteria did we use? Have a look:
- Violent Crimes Per Capita
- Property Crimes Per Capita
In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Texas cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 366 cities in Texas.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 366 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the two rankings into one “Dangerous Index”.
Finally, we ranked every city on the “Dangerous Index” with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Texas — Humble. Any ties went to the smaller city.
This article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. It is our tenth time ranking the most dangerous places to live in Texas and is updated for 2023.
Most Dangerous Places To Live In Texas FAQs
Yes, Texas is a dangerous state as it ranks as the #11 most dangerous state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in Texas ranks 15th most dangerous in the United States — 20.73% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Lone Star State ranks 14th most dangerous in the United States — 14.87% worse than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022.
Yes, Houston is a dangerous city. Houston ranks as the #30 most dangerous out of 328 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Houston might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, West University is the safest in Houston, while Far North is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.
Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Houston ranks 27th highest in America — 106.23% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 30th highest in the United States — 67.9% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2022 and that no city in America is ‘dangerous’. Despite the uptick in murders, it’s nothing like you’d see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.
Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Texas
Summary: Locking It All Up In Texas
So what is the most dangerous city in Texas? After analyzing 366 cities in Texas, Humble takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Texas based on the most recently reported FBI data — 2022.
The latest FBI crime data shows that Humble ranks as the most dangerous city in Texas for 2023.
We want to point out again that there’s still safes places in Humble and that this isn’t a comment on the people that live there. So please don’t beat us up.
What is the most dangerous place in Texas for 2023? The most dangerous city in Texas is Humble.
If you live in Texas’s safest city, Melissa, keep enjoying life; but if you don’t, we suggest you take a look at the report below.
Learn more about the safest places in Texas.
If you’re looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
Here are the safest cities in Texas:
- Kermit (Pop. 5,749)
- Fate (Pop. 23,955)
- Trophy Club (Pop. 13,794)
- Colleyville (Pop. 25,897)
- Muleshoe (Pop. 5,066)
- Fulshear (Pop. 18,058)
- Yoakum (Pop. 5,958)
- Iowa Park (Pop. 6,595)
- San Elizario (Pop. 10,080)
- Melissa (Pop. 20,071)
For more Texas reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Texas
- Cheapest Places To Live In Texas
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Texas
- Safest Places In Texas
- Worst Places To Live In Texas
For one thing it’s not highway 2 it’s interstate 2.Alice is not north of Raymondville. Alice is north of Edinburg on state highway 281 Kingsville is north of Raymondville on state highway 77.
If you wanna be technical, it’s not State Highway 281, it’s U.S. Highway 281
This list has given me a good laugh, but is completely inaccurate. Listing my town (Palestine) as #10 most dangerous is utterly ridiculous. Your lack of research is obvious……..
I laughed as well. I lived in Humble for years and it was extremely safe. I now live in Livingston and it too is safe. I don’t know where this information is coming from?
The whole “Don’t Mess With Texas” thing is just a slogan for the state’s anti-litter campaign.
Bellmead is not 30 miles north of Austin,Texas it’s 106 miles from Austin, Texas.
I hate to let the cat outta the bag, but Raymondville is not in East Texas. Not far North of the border in SOUTH Texas and your writings don’t correlate with the listing at the bottom.
What a joke. Humble? Really? I’ve lived here my whole life and I promise you, there are plenty of areas in Texas and particularly along my daily commute to Houston where I wouldn’t walk down the street without my gun, but Humble is simply not one of them.
I live about 10 miles from Humble and I’ve
been going there for years. I haven’t had a problem of any kind. The world is not safe as it use to be anywhere…
Just be careful wherever you do go.
I mean I live in the kenswick subdivision right along 1960 and 5 minutes away from 59 and you don’t wanna walk alone at night sometimes 3 kids were shot across lee rd and two of my homeboys dead and gone in the past year from shootings don’t think its not bad because its nicer where you stay humble isn’t that humble its turning into a hood
I’ve lived in of near enough of these towns to think this is a pretty good list. My theory? The more cheap rental property there is in an area, the higher the crime rate. It’s certainly true of my home town, Gainesville. It used to be a pretty great place, but now it’s very run down and there are quite a few people who have many rent houses that are pretty cheap. Whereas Southlake and Grapevine are expensive places to live, and don’t really have a lot of rentals, except for high end apartments.
Texarkana is very bad. The serial rapist Ricky Williams is from Texarkana. I think he still lives there.
Based on the comments, people didn’t read the methodology. It’s a statistical analysis based on reports of violent crimes and property crimes that are compiled by the FBI from local police reports. It’s not a subjective analysis (perceived safety–which most commenters want), but a statistical analysis based on the rates of actual violent and property crime per capita.
However, my hometown, Weslaco, is both statistically and subjectively quite a risky place to live.
I live between Weslaco and Donna and many that live here like me would disagree but crime in the past couple of years I feel has gone up. I don’t know if it’s due to the fact that we live so close to the border and crime just across in Mexico has increased in Cartel violence and it’s spilling over. I feel very unsafe where I live and my family and I do feel it’s time to move further north; not too close to the border. Relative warm weather all year round here makes it a nice place to live but I wonder how much of that warm/hot weather also contributes to the violence.
I’ve visited every city on this list, currently live in Houston, I guarantee you that the person who made this inaccurate list have been to none of these cities. Humble really LMAO get out of here.
Naw you get out Humble is gettin bad shit the population is now 42.6% Hispanic because hello property value and unemployment are at an all time high trust me i saw my friend shot for standing in the street in front from the wrong house aand I live in Wick and don’t think because you been here before you know how life is here 4 years ago two streets over a bitch stabbed her mother 74 times with a butcher knife im friends with everyone involved Humble is getting more violent crime now days don’t believe me walk down my streets at night you’d probably get robbed at gun point by some 13 yr olders
I worked for Dallas PD as well as Palestine PD. I can tell you first hand that the violent crime rate is way higher in Palestine. Another unknown fact is less than 10% of the Officers that work there are from Palestine. Most of the local applicants cant pass a background investigation. They dont call it the “Dogwood Hood” for nothing.
I would say a majority of worthy local Palestine PD recruits/applicants don’t stick around & simply leave town.
I can see why when you have people that don’t like cops. It growing. This day and age you can’t trust a cop with a badge and gun. Citizen today have a 1in 50 chance of being shot by cops in the US. Blacks have a 1 in 20 chance be shot by cops. Cops may argue the statistics because of being corrupt.
Humble, really. Must be you’ve never been to Deerbrook Baptist church
Me and my family are planning a trip to Texas to research my grandmothers past. All we know about her is where she was raised and her parents names but everything else is a total mystery. My grandmother NEVER talked about her past or told us anything about her family (not even my mother knows anything about her) if we asked her she would get upset and tell us there is no family to talk about so stop asking. My grandma passed away about 13 years ago so we are curious to know who she was and why she kept her past a secret. She was born in 1929 and we don’t even know if there is any info on her going back that far but it’s worth a try. So she lived in and around the Edinburge, McAllen and LaFord area can anyone tell me what these places are like? Are they dangerous and are these towns safe to travel to? Thanks in advance ….Lynn
For info on family look at tge LDS website. They have more info than any group. Recently traced my family to Northern Ireland in the 1600’s. Really great information.
Galveston #29,sounds about right,though before Hurricane Ike wiped out the projects this ranking would of been much lower,more like Houston’s… and yes I am from Galveston.
Mann Humble is pretty bad now tho
I live in Houston and I have not seen any shootings or heard any shooting but I cannot really say how bad the crime it’s out here and cannot compare it to where I am originally from Compton California
Although statistics may show these cities as being dangerous, I’ve been to 8 out of the top 10 and never thought they seemed noticeably scary – never felt afraid to walk down the street alone. However, perhaps I should give that a second thought!?
And don’t forget these are crimes that were “reported” what about the ones that weren’t reported..that could change the results..ohh I’m from bellmead/ lacylakeview area..and its never seemed dangerous..I bought a house here..But people are throwed off here..and they ain’t scared..got heart for sure
I have been hearing some scary stories from Houston. I live in San Antonio and volunteer at the homeless shelter. I have heard 4 stories from young guys that blow my mind. Homeless guys are getting picked up by rich guys who ask them to take them to score drugs. They are thinking quick money. The guys then take them home and rape them, along with several other men. They keep them as slaves for a few days. Then they take them back to downtown, hand them 500 bucks and tell them, don’t bother telling anyone, nobody will believe you and Ive got police friends who will put you away. 4 guys between 19 and 22 told me basically same story. There is a gay yacht club mentioned in all these stories too. Scary stuff.
Your methodology needs to be revised . It provides inaccurate information. While you are using current crime data, you are using outdated population data. Our City of Palmview has had several annexations and population has increased to 17,000 making your conclusions COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE.
For Alamo, TX you show a picture of the Alamo Mission in San Antonio. That doesn’t inspire confidence in the quality of your research.
I was thinking the same thing! I live near Alamo and the picture of the Alamo mission made think look through the rest of page thinking the whole thing was satire.
I lived in Leon Valley Texas (NW Suburb of San Antonio). To see Leon Valley ranking as more dangerous than San Antonio proper Is a complete shock to and borders on the unbelievable. Seriously, would you rather be walking on the side of Bandera Road (in Leon Valley) at 1am, or walking on the side of South Zarsamora (in San Antonio) at 1am? It’s a no brainer. I too concur with Maladroid that saying “Alamo Texas” and putting up a picture of The Alamo (in downtown San Antonio) severely undermines potential credibility. Not to mention that the 2 places are over a hundred miles apart.
Bellmead is over 100 miles away from Austin, not 30 miles. It’s north of Waco which is over an hour and a half away from Austin. Looks like a lot of the information in this article isn’t accurate so unfortunately that makes the whole article look inaccurate. Please make sure you’re reporting accurate location information if nothing else.