Although I’ll go to my grave saying Texas is the best state of them all, I’ll admit there are some places that should be avoided. Or, at the very least, should be visited with extreme caution. Listed below are 13 of the most dangerous places in Texas. If you decide to visit them, you’ll be doing so at your own risk.

1. Beltway 8/Bissonett Intersection (Houston)
Flickr/kenlund
This intersection has seen 335 crashes and 263 injuries - that's nearly one crash per day! It's the most dangerous intersection in the entire state.
2. Weslaco
wikipedia/Satxra
Weslaco is the most dangerous city in Texas. Here, you have a 1 in 90 chance of being the victim of a violent crime. Those odds might seem low, but in a town of 37,000 people, it's actually fairly common.
4. The Gulf Coast
Flickr/yoshimov
Ever since the first recorded hurricane in 1900, people living near the coast have started feeling uneasy as soon as June rolls around. We have good reason considering the number of storms that have ravaged us over the years. Even the most minor ones that don't make news headlines are capable of taking lives.
4. Our Creeks
Flickr/panamapictures
Creeks are already treacherous places because of the strong undertows, but the ones in Texas are especially life-threatening due to the venomous snakes and even alligators that could be lurking just far enough underneath the water for you to miss them.
5. Loop 1604 (San Antonio)
Flickr/kenlund
Although Houston claims most of the top spots as far as dangerous intersections go, San Antonio comes in closely behind. Loop 1604's junctions with I-10, Braun Street, and Bandera Street, have seen over 650 crashes, 370 injuries, and even a fatality.
6. Ron Coleman Trail (Big Bend National Park)
Flickr/tamasrepus
Hiking is a potentially lethal activity, especially in a mountainous desert where you're unlikely to be heard if you're injured and in need of help. Earlier this year, a young man fell to his death on the Ron Coleman Trail while descending the mountain.

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7. MacGregor Neighborhood (Houston)
Flickr/joebehr
Houston's Third Ward is an interesting place - huge, towering mansions are scattered among low-income homes, and people living in the area have a 1 in 13 chance of becoming the victim of a crime. This neighborhood is actually the 15th most dangerous in the U.S.
8. Lake Ray Hubbard (Dallas)
Flickr/Nelo Hotsuma
On July 4th of 2016, there were two drownings less than 24 hours apart on Lake Ray Hubbard. There were no signs of foul play, which means the water alone claimed the lives of both men. A tragic ending indeed to such a joyous holiday.
9. Texarkana
Flickr/stevenm_61
Texarkana is the second most dangerous city in Texas, with 1 violent crime for every 100 residents. You have a 1 in 13 chance of being victimized in general.
10. Barton Creek (Austin)
Flickr/paddymurphy
Barton Creek is known for having swift waters - so much so that three people actually drowned there in early 2016 in the span of a few weeks. If you like to kayak or tube on the creek, always wear a life jacket.
11. Red Bluff Road (Pasadena)
Flickr/nakrnsm
Red Bluff Road's intersection with Genoa Road has seen 356 crashes, 78 injuries, and even two deaths. Speed really does kill, so be especially careful of reckless drivers if you find yourself on this road.
12. Sunnyside Neighborhood (Houston)
Flickr/tarsandsblockade
Sunnyside has been ranked the single most dangerous neighborhood in Texas and sixth in the U.S. The violent crime rate is 1 in 10 residents.
13. San Marcos River
Flickr/turcottes78
I'll never forget the day that my sister almost drowned in this river. We were having a relaxing float when all of a sudden, I looked over and her inner tube was empty. I frantically looked around for her, and after the longest minute or so of my life, she finally emerged from under the water. She told me that she fell out of her tube and got her ankle wrapped around an underwater plant, preventing her from surfacing. There are tons of huge trees below the water's surface, so take extreme caution if you decide to ditch your tube.

Do you have any experiences (good or bad) with these dangerous places in our state? Where else in Texas should be avoided at all costs?

Now that we’ve laid out the most dangerous places in Texas, let’s move on to some good news! Here are some of the Lone Star State’s safest and most peaceful places to reside.

 

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most dangerous places in texas

Jennifer Young | February 21, 2022

What are the 10 most dangerous cities in Texas?

Like most other states, the Lone Star State is filled with many dangerous cities. Listed below are the 10 most dangerous cities in Texas. This ranking is based on FBI data from 2019.

1. New Boston

New Boston is the most dangerous city in Texas. In 2019, it had a population of 4,663, a poverty rate of 21.6%, a property crime rate of 4,525.0, and 1,544.1 violent crimes per 100k.

2. Snyder

Snyder is the county seat of Scurry County, Texas. In 2019, it had a population of 11,161, a poverty rate of 14.7%, a property crime rate of 2,024.9, and 1,433.6 violent crimes per 100k.

3. Kenedy

Kenedy is a small town in Karnes County, Texas. In 2019, it had a population of 3,465, a poverty rate of 10.8%, a property crime rate of 4,040.4, and 1,241.0 violent crimes per 100k.

4. Humble

Humble is located in Harris County and was once home to the largest producing oilfield in Texas. In 2019, it had a population of 16,157, a poverty rate of 15.97%, a property crime rate of 10,404.2, and 1,169.8 violent crimes per 100k.

5. Raymondville

Raymondville is the county seat of Willacy County, Texas. In 2019, it had a population of 10,894, a poverty rate of 29.8%, a property crime rate of 2,230.6, and 1,156.6 violent crimes per 100k.

6. Balcones Heights

Balcones Heights of Bexar County is the smallest city on this list. In 2019, it had a population of 3,366, a poverty rate of 31.69%, a property crime rate of 9,031.5, and 1,128.9 violent crimes per 100k.

7. Nash

Nash is a suburb of Texarkana. In 2019, it had a population of 3,783, a poverty rate of 22.7%, a property crime rate of 1,533.2, and 3,783 violent crimes per 100k.

8. Houston

Houston, the county seat of Harris County, is the largest city on this list. In 2019, it had a population of 2,355,606, a poverty rate of 20.1%, a property crime rate of 4,319.5, and 1,072.2 violent crimes per 100k.

9. Sullivan City

Sullivan City of Hidalgo County is known as the "City of Sunshine." In 2019, it had a population of 4,152, a poverty rate of 31.7%, a property crime rate of 1,421.0, and 1,059.7 violent crimes per 100k.

10. Gonzales

Gonzales is the county seat of Gonzales County, Texas. In 2019, it had a population of 7,655, a poverty rate of 16.83%, a property crime rate of 2,194.6, and 1,058.1 violent crimes per 100k.

What are two of the most dangerous places to avoid in Texas?

There are several dangerous places in Texas that are worth avoiding, including rivers and lakes. Year after year, numerous deaths occur on our rivers and lakes, whether it be by drowning, suicide, or other reasons. If you're one of the many Texans who enjoy spending time in our rivers and lakes, remember to always be careful and stay aware of your surroundings.

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