These are the 5 counties with the highest crime rates in Texas according to 2019 (and where available 2020) crime data. All violent, property, and other crimes are counted for the purpose of this ranking.
5. Nueces County
This Corpus Christi county in southern Texas has a population of over 360,000 and a crime rate of 6.09%. That means there are more than 6 crimes for every 100 residents.
Population: 362,000
Crime rate: 60.9 per 1000 residents
4. Dawson County
The rates of burglary and assault are each almost twice the national average, and the rape rate is about 2.4 times the national rate. Dawson’s population of 13,000 is also far less educated than the national average.
Population: 13,000
Crime rate: 62.1 per 1000 residents
3. Howard County
Bordering Dawson County to the southeast, Howard county has a population of 36,000 and a crime rate 6.26%.
Population: 36,000
Crime rate: 62.6 per 1000 residents
2. Potter County
This Texas panhandle county around Amarillo has a population of 118,000 and a crime rate 6.43%.
Population: 118,000
Crime rate: 64.3 per 1000 residents
1. Lubbock County
Lubbock County is the most dangerous county in Texas. Oddly, there seems to be a decent amount of misinformation about this online. Several articles say that crime used to be bad but that it has since improved. Niche.com even reports a murder rate of zero — suspiciously low for a county with a population over 300,000. If you look at the crime data from the FBI and the Texas Department of Public Safety, however, the truth is apparent: Lubbock is an incredibly dangerous area even today. The overall crime rate is almost 7%.
Population: 308,000
Crime rate: 69.4 per 1000 residents
Bonus Fact: Lubbock is dangerous not just because of humans but also because of mother nature. Throughout the year, the county gets tornadoes, dust storms, snow storms, heat waves, and hurricane force winds.