Texas is a remarkable region of the country.
And if you don’t believe us, ask a Texan.
Now, with that said, we all know that while any place can be dangerous, there are hazardous towns and cities in the Lone Star State.
Yet, many regions earned the somewhat dubious distinction of being dangerous, and thus this list is mainly comprised of suburbs, smaller cities, and towns, aside from Houston and Dallas.
A common saying in Texas is, “everything’s bigger in Texas.”
Unfortunately, this also includes the crime rate.
In Texas, just as in any area, there will be safe and dangerous areas, and it’s good to be aware of any possible issues.
However, for visitors and locals who use caution, Texas has an incredibly diverse culture, expressed in its history, culture, cuisine, music, art, architecture, and diverse ecosystems that engage and reward visitors and locals in this rich and vibrant state.
Contents
- Here Are the 13 Most Dangerous Cities and Towns in the Lone Star State:
- Houston, a population of 2.3 million
- Lubbock, population 260,000
- Beaumont, population 120,000
- Amarillo, population 200,000
- Bellmead, population 10,000
- San Antonio, a population of 1.4 million
- Corpus Christi, population 320,000
- Palmview, population 5,600
- Humble, with a population of 17,000
- Bastrop, population 9,700
- Mesquite, population 140,000
- Texarkana, population 36,000
- Dallas, a population of 1.295 Million
- Here Are 5 Tips to Keep You Safe
- Texas Safety Overview
- Frequently Asked Questions
Here Are the 13 Most Dangerous Cities and Towns in the Lone Star State:
Houston, a population of 2.3 million
Houston, often associated with the Space Center and the Theater District, the Historic District, and Houston Grand Opera has earned the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous city in Texas.
Out of a population of 2.3 million, Houston has a violent crime rate of 2.67 per 1,000 residents.
Lubbock, population 260,000
Lubbock is famous as the birthplace of Buddy Holly, The Buddy Holly Center, and the Museum of Texas Tech University, which showcase art, history, and paleontology displays for the community.
Yet Crimegrade.org rated Lubbock a “D” for its crime rate and ranked it in the 21st percentile for safety.
Beaumont, population 120,000
Located east of Houston, people call Beaumont the Golden Triangle.
The FBI’s 2018 crime report showed that Beaumont’s violent crime surpassed Houston’s with 13 murders, 99 rapes, 798 aggravated assaults, and 359 robberies.
Individuals in Beaumont have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a crime victim.
As a result, moving around the city raises concerns.
With the high number of reported rapes, women are encouraged to travel with others in unfamiliar neighborhoods.
Amarillo, population 200,000
Famous for its steak challenge, art shows, and theatres, Amarillo has the 14th highest population of Texas cities.
However, crime in Amarillo is more prominent in the Northeast quadrant.
Based on the 2019 FBI data, Amarillo has the fifth spot for the Top Ten Most Dangerous Cities in Texas.
Gangs have been concerned in Amarillo, including the Aryan Circle, The Tangosand many others.
Therefore use care driving or walking around in the evenings.
Bellmead, population 10,000
The native inhabitants know Bellmead, “Beautiful Autumn Valley,” as the area is a city in McLennan County and part of the Waco Metropolitan Statistical Area.
While small, Bellmead is mighty in crime and is the most dangerous city in Texas; not only that, but it earned the dubious distinction of being one of the 30 most dangerous cities in the USA.
It experienced 1,294 violent crimes per 100,000 residents and 6,196 property crimes per 100,000 residents.
In addition, individuals in Bellmead had a 1 in 4 chance of experiencing theft or arson.
San Antonio, a population of 1.4 million
San Antonio is home to The Alamo, the 18th-century Spanish mission, now a museum, and world-famous for the 1836 battle for Texan independence from Mexico.
The miles-long River Walk is a famous pedestrian promenade filled with shops and cafes.
Yet residents in San Antonio have a one in 15 chance of being a crime victim.
Corpus Christi, population 320,000
Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, Corpus Christi is nestled into a bay, its beaches sheltered by Mustang and Padre islands, home to migratory birds and sea turtles, and the Texas State Aquarium.
Yet, with 5.4 per 100,000 people, Corpus Christi has a higher murder rate than any nearby city.
Palmview, population 5,600
Palmview is located in Hidalgo County and is part of the McAllen–Edinburg–Mission and Reynosa–McAllen metropolitan areas.
Possessing less than 6,000 folks, Palmview’s fifth-place finish is a puzzle.
And locals have a one in 121 chance of being a victim of rape.
Humble, with a population of 17,000
Humble is located in the Houston metropolitan area.
According to FBI data, Humble is the 12th most dangerous city in the USA.
In 2019, there were 152 violent incidents, a crime rate of 9.4 for every 1,000 individuals.
Robbery tops the list, and crime has increased over the years by 9%.
While it’s generally considered safe to be out and about during the day, it’s wise to use caution, mainly after midnight.
Bastrop, population 9,700
Bastrop, part of the Greater Austin metropolitan area, is roughly 30 miles southeast of Austin.
Yet despite being near Austin, one of the bastions of the state capital, entertainment, and higher education in Texas, Bastrop’s crime rate is 56% higher than the national average.
Mesquite, population 140,000
A suburban city located east of Dallas, Mesquite, in 2019, had a population of 143,078 people and 685 violent crimes reported.
Texarkana, population 36,000
Lying in eastern Texas, Texarkana is twinned with a city across the border in Arkansas.
The area has Spring Lake Park, Discovery Place with interactive children’s exhibitions, the 19th-century Ace of Clubs House, repurposed as a museum, and the Perot Theatre, which hosts musicals and concerts.
However, be aware that the chances of being a crime victim are one in 12.
Dallas, a population of 1.295 Million
Dallas is celebrated for its impressive skyscrapers and picturesque vistas.
However, the crime rate is also high, beating out over 90% of US cities and earning Dallas in 2019, as stated by SafeWise, the sad distinction of being the thirteenth Most Dangerous City in the US.
Dallas’s total number of violent crimes was 10,441, with a crime rate of 7.7 per 1,000 residents.
Neighborhoods to use extra caution include Northwest Dallas, South, and West Dallas, and some spots in Wolf Creek and Cedar Crest.
Keep in mind that pickpockets in Dallas are an issue, yet public transportation, apart from petty theft, is safe.
Here Are 5 Tips to Keep You Safe
1) Know where to go
Do your research beforehand.
Have a general idea of your destination before you even arrive.
Check out traveler reviews, ask friends and family, and use social media for info about the safest neighborhoods, places to visit, and pockets of crime and sketchy neighborhoods.
2) Try the low-key approach
Select inconspicuous clothes, and leave expensive jewelry and electronics safely stored away.
Be discreet when scoping out maps, and use caution and common sense if you need directions.
We get that you want to capture the perfect picture.
That said, you should always be aware of what’s going on around you.
Would-be offenders often seek out people who are distracted or disengaged from their surroundings to target.
So be alert whether in a restaurant or walking down an empty street.
3) Keep in touch
Keep your family and friends informed about your whereabouts, and check in regularly with your people, whether you’re on an overnight trip or a month-long journey.
4) Think and drink responsibly
Many people enjoy exploring the local entertainment scene while traveling; however, drinking responsibly is even more critical when in an unfamiliar spot.
Seriously, this is one of the essential safety tips: keep your wits about you when drinking.
5) Go with your instincts
If a venue, street, or individual makes you uncomfortable, there’s possibly a reason; the subconscious often picks up on things that the conscious mind isn’t aware of, the famous “gut feelings.
Listen to that intuition.
It may just help you stay safe.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Texas Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Texas Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s Texas famous for?
Ask ten people, and you’ll get as many different answers.
We can generalize and say that some of the outsized impressions that Texas has earned have caused travelers, tourists, and locals to enjoy the following:
- Rodeos
- Football
- BBQ, beef, burgers, and beer
- The Hill Country
- The Alamo
- Austin entertainment and the city bills itself — with the natural abundance of modesty that the region’s famous for — with the designation of “Live Music Capital of the World.”
What’s the best time of year to visit Texas?
Texas is big in size, ecosystems, and weather range.
However, some of the most popular tourist attractions in Texas, including the regions of Dallas, Austin, the Hill Country area, San Antonio, Houston, and the Gulf Coast, tend to experience milder weather during the spring and autumn seasons, late September through November and March through June.
At the same time, it’s always a great time to visit Lone Star State.
What famous people are from Texas?
Texas is a big state, and many big names come from here in fields ranging from politics to culture to sports.
Famous Texans include the following folks:
- Clint Black
- Waylon Jennings
- Janis Joplin
- Buddy Holly
- Lyle Lovett
- Willie Nelson
- Selena
- Ernest Tubb
- Tommy Lee Jones
- Matthew McConaughey
- Post Malone
- Shaquille O’Neal
- Beyoncé
Texas is a diverse and dynamic region of the country, but like any place, it has its share of dangerous areas.
While it’s important to be cautious and aware of potential issues, Texas also has a rich culture and many unique experiences to offer visitors and locals.
Despite the high crime rates in some areas, Texas remains a vibrant and diverse state with rich history, culture, cuisine and music that’s worth exploring – just be sure to stay alert.
As a Texas native, it’s disheartening to see some cities on this list. It’s a reminder of the work we still need to do to ensure safety for all residents.
Living in one of these cities, I can attest to the challenges we face. However, it’s also important to highlight the positive efforts being made to improve community safety.
I’ve traveled extensively throughout Texas, and while some cities may have higher crime rates, it’s crucial to remember that every city has its own unique charm and character.
It’s sobering to see my hometown listed here, but it’s also a call to action for local leaders and residents to come together to address underlying issues and create safer communities.
While these statistics are alarming, it’s essential to look beyond the numbers and recognize the resilience of these cities’ residents who are working tirelessly to overcome adversity and build brighter futures.