Top 10 most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston

Houston, known for its dynamic cultural and economic landscape, also faces significant challenges with crime, particularly in certain neighborhoods. A detailed analysis of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Houston, based on 2021 and 2022 crime statistics from PropertyClub, reveals a concerning landscape of violence and crime.

1. Sunnyside: Topping the list, Sunnyside is infamous for its extremely high crime rate, with a staggering rate of 92 crimes per 1,000 residents. This equates to a 1 in 11 chance of being a victim of a crime, with robbery, assaults, and murder being the most common violent crimes.
2. MacGregor: Following closely, MacGregor is not only one of Houston’s most dangerous neighborhoods but also ranks among the most perilous in the United States. The public schools in MacGregor are among the most poorly rated in the Houston school district, reflecting broader socio-economic challenges.
3. Sharpstown: This area is known for a firearm-related violent crime rate that is 67% higher than the average in Houston.
4. Greenspoint: Despite efforts by the Houston Police Department (HPD) to establish law and order, crime remains a significant problem.
5. Far North: Here, the violent crime rate stands at 2,455 per 100,000 people.
6. Northeast: The violent crime rate in this area is 197% higher than the national average.
7. Northwest: This neighborhood is more dangerous than 86% of other areas in Texas.
8. East End: The violent crime rate is 101% higher than the U.S. national average.
9. Sugarland: Known for high crime rates, it’s considered not the best place for family raising.
10. Pasadena: This neighborhood experiences high rates of armed robbery, aggravated assault, rape, or murder​​.

Broadly, Houston’s crime rates are 146.2% higher than the national average. The city experiences a total of 25,987 violent crimes (1,142 per 100,000 people), significantly above the national average. The property crime rate, too, stands at 4,582 per 100,000 residents, again much higher than the average.

Houston’s alarming violent crime rate contributes to its notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the U.S., with a 1 in 88 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. The city recorded 433 murders in the last reported year, equating to 19 murders per 100,000 people. In terms of property crimes, there were a reported 17,344 vehicle thefts, placing Houston in the bottom 10% of U.S. cities for vehicle theft rates​​.

Residents’ perceptions of crime in Houston also reflect these statistics. A survey of 428 people found that while 36% felt there was virtually no crime and felt safe walking at night, a significant 64% felt there was too much crime and did not feel safe walking alone at night​​.

The year-over-year crime rate in Houston has seen an overall increase of 4.8%. While violent crime has decreased by 8.3%, property crime has risen by 8.6%​​. The diverse array of over 26 distinct neighborhoods in Houston demonstrates a clear variance in crime rates, influenced by location and socio-economic factors. Neighborhoods closer to the city center tend to report higher crime rates, while outlying areas with lower population density often experience lower crime incidence​​.

In conclusion,

while Houston’s overall crime rate is high, the severity and types of crime vary significantly across different neighborhoods. This disparity emphasizes the importance of targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives to address the unique challenges faced by each neighborhood.