One of Texas’ most iconic and recognizable cities is Dallas. The city is famous for its bustling nightlife, vibrant music scene, and breathtaking skyline. With millions of people living and working in Dallas, it’s undeniably a hub of activity. However, it’s important to note that the city has a crime rate that is significantly higher than the national average. As a result, there are several neighborhoods in Dallas that are best to avoid. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the ten most dangerous neighborhoods in Dallas.
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Dallas
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- South Boulevard-Park Row
- South Dallas
- Convention Center District
- Cedar Crest
- Cockrell Hill
- Northwest Dallas
- Urbandale-Parkdale
- Oak Cliff
- Wolf Creek
- Eagle Ford
1. South Boulevard-Park Row
South Boulevard-Park Row is considered the most dangerous neighborhood in Dallas with a population of 26,359. The neighborhood’s violent crime rate sits at 3,255, and the property crime rate is at 6,492 per 100,000 people. This is significantly higher than the average crime rate in Dallas by 277 percent. Unfortunately, South Boulevard is notorious for gang activity, murders, and gun violence. In 2022, property crime was almost double the rate of violent crime. All of these factors make South Boulevard-Park Row the worst neighborhood in Dallas.
2. South Dallas
When it comes to crime, South Dallas is considered one of the worst areas in Dallas with a population of 28,000. The neighborhood has a crime rate 147% higher than the Texas average, with a crime rate of 6,637 per 100,000 and residents facing a 1 in 16 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime. Gang activity is prevalent in this area, with violent crime and drug activity being common. Shockingly, the violent crime rate alone is over 300% higher than the national average. Nonetheless, recent efforts have been made to revitalize the neighborhood.
3. Convention Center District
If you’re looking for a safe Dallas neighborhood, the Convention Center District is not the place to be. With high crime rates, this neighborhood located in southern downtown Dallas has a population of 920 and a violent crime rate of 1,591 and a property crime rate of 4,201 per 100,000 people. Gang activity is a significant contributor to the high rates of violent crime in the area, making murders, shootings, and assaults commonplace. Even tourists wandering into this part of the city, attracted by its proximity to downtown, are not immune to these crimes.
4. Cedar Crest
The Cedar Crest neighborhood of Dallas is known for its high levels of violence. With a population of 63,686, the area has a crime rate that is 102 percent higher than the Texas average. Shockingly, the overall crime rate in Cedar Crest is 5,475 per 100,000 people, which means that residents have a 1 in 19 chance of falling victim to some type of criminal activity. The most commonly reported violent crimes in this area include robberies, assaults, arson, and domestic violence. Many residents also feel that Cedar Crest is an unsafe place to walk or use public transportation.
5. Cockrell Hill
Cockrell Hill, situated in Dallas, is deemed as one of the perilous neighborhoods with a population of 4,240. The crime rate here is 136% higher than the average rate of Texas. Residents of Cockrell Hill have a 1 in 16 chance of being a victim of any crime type, and the crime rate is 6,346 per 100,000 individuals. Criminal activities such as murder, assault, burglary, and vehicle theft are some of the commonly occurring crimes in Cockrell Hill.
6. Northwest Dallas
With a population of 2,158, Northwest Dallas is infamous for its high crime rate, which is 135% higher than the state average of Texas. Gang activity is one of the primary causes of the rampant crime in this neighborhood. Incidents of shootings, assaults, and robberies are common occurrences here. Property crimes are equally prevalent, with 5,072 incidents reported in 2021 alone. Theft and burglary are the most commonly reported types of property crimes in this area.
7. Urbandale-Parkdale
The population of Urbandale-Parkdale stands at 25,716, and unfortunately, the crime rate here is 90% higher than the Texas average. The area is plagued by high levels of unemployment and poverty, with the median income being a mere $33,974. Shockingly, the total crime rate in this region is 5,126 per 100,000 people, and residents have a 1 in 20 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. Burglaries and car thefts are commonly reported by many residents in Urbandale-Parkdale.
8. Oak Cliff
Oak Cliff, a neighborhood in Dallas known for its rich history and famous musicians, is unfortunately one of the worst places to live in the city due to its alarming rates of violent crime. With a population of 32,901, the crime rate in Oak Cliff is 88% higher than the Texas average. Residents face a 1 in 20 chance of becoming victims of any type of crime, with the total crime rate at 5,065 per 100,000. Despite having several tourist attractions, this neighborhood continues to suffer from high rates of violent and property crimes.
9. Wolf Creek
With a population of 36,321, Wolf Creek has a crime rate that is 85% higher than the Texas average. The residents of this town have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime, contributing to a total crime rate of 4,986 per 100,000 people. The presence of poverty and gang activity further exacerbates the crime rate in Wolf Creek.
10. Eagle Ford
Located in West Dallas, Eagle Ford is considered one of the most perilous neighborhoods in Dallas with a population of 8,013. The crime rate is alarmingly high, with an overall rate of 4,729 per 100,000 people, which is 76 percent higher than the Texas average. Property crimes, such as car theft and burglary, are frequently reported in this area. It is not advisable to walk alone or take public transit at night in Eagle Ford.
Read More: Top 9 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Washington DC (2023)
