Houston, a sprawling and diverse city, offers a wide range of attractions and opportunities for both residents and visitors. However, like any major urban area, it also contends with its fair share of crime and violence, particularly in certain neighborhoods deemed riskier than others.
Drawing from crime data and reports from multiple sources such as Areavibes, Neighborhoodscout and Upgradedhome, here are the top five neighborhoods in Houston, Texas, known for higher levels of criminal activity.
Greater Greenspoint
In North Houston, there is a neighborhood with a significant occurrence of violent crimes, impacting approximately 1 in 96 individuals. This area is situated near the intersection of Beltway 8 and Interstate 45 North.
This neighborhood is also recognized as the North Houston District, serving as a prominent business hub employing nearly 50,000 individuals and encompassing approximately 10.82 million square feet of office area.
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Sunnyside
This neighborhood in south Houston is one of the oldest African-American communities in the city, but it also has a lot of crime. Sunnyside has a high rate of violent crime, with 91.27 incidents per 1,000 residents, making it one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country. It’s situated south of Loop 610 and east of State Highway 288.
In addition to the high crime rate, this neighborhood also faces economic challenges. About 40.6% of the people here live in poverty, and the average household income is only $24,749.
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Sharpstown
Sharpstown, a neighborhood in southwest Houston, experiences a high level of property crime, particularly burglary and theft. The property crime rate in Sharpstown is 76.77 per 1,000 residents, which is over three times higher than the national average. This neighborhood is situated to the west of Interstate 69 and south of the Westpark Tollway.
Sharpstown is characterized by a significant immigrant population, primarily from Asia and Latin America, and boasts a diverse array of restaurants and shops. The median household income in this area is $37,174.
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Midtown
Sharpstown, a neighborhood in southwest Houston, has a lot of property crimes, especially burglaries and thefts. The rate of property crime in Sharpstown is 76.77 for every 1,000 residents. This is more than three times higher than the national average. Sharpstown is located west of Interstate 69 and south of the Westpark Tollway.
Sharpstown has many people who moved here from Asia and Latin America. It also has a variety of different restaurants and stores. The average income for a household in this area is $37,174.
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Gulfton
This neighborhood in west Houston has many people, and a lot of them are immigrants from Latin America. It’s situated below Interstate 69 and to the west of Loop 610. The average household income here is quite low at $26,355, and there’s a high poverty rate of 43.9%.
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Final Words
Houston is a big city with a mix of interesting things to do and places to explore. However, there are certain neighborhoods, like Greater Greenspoint, Sunnyside, Sharpstown, Midtown, and Gulfton, where the crime rates are higher.
This can impact the safety and well-being of the residents. These areas also deal with other difficulties like poverty, homelessness, drugs, and gangs. So, if you’re in or visiting these parts of Houston, it’s a good idea to be mindful of your surroundings.
