Harris County Crime & Safety

Harris County, Texas

Safety Score

32/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1594.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

235.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1359.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

32/100

Higher = safer

State avg 47/100

State Safety Rank

#170

of 254 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Harris County, Texas

Harris County Safety Amid Urban Growth

Harris County maintains a total crime rate of 1,594.9 per 100,000, which sits comfortably below the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 97.5, reflecting a stable environment for such a large population center.

Beating the State Safety Average

Despite being the state's most populous county, Harris County’s safety score of 97.5 is better than the Texas average of 96.8. Its total crime rate of 1,594.9 is also lower than the statewide average of 2,052.5.

Comparing Major Texas Communities

Harris County’s crime rate of 1,594.9 is slightly higher than Harrison County’s 1,522.5. However, it remains significantly safer than many other major metropolitan areas across the nation.

Property vs. Violent Crime Trends

The county records 1,359.0 property crimes and 235.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Both figures remain lower than national benchmarks of 2,015.7 for property and 369.8 for violent crime.

Layered Security in Urban Areas

With 64 reporting agencies, Harris County has a massive law enforcement network. Homeowners can do their part by joining neighborhood watches and installing smart home security technology to deter property crime.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Harris County, TX?

Harris County has a total crime rate of 1594.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (235.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1359.0 per 100K).

Is Harris County, TX safe?

Harris County has a safety score of 32/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #170 out of 254 counties in Texas for safety (1 = safest).

How does Harris County crime compare to the Texas average?

What types of crime are most common in Harris County?

The county records 1,359.0 property crimes and 235.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents. Both figures remain lower than national benchmarks of 2,015.7 for property and 369.8 for violent crime.

How is crime data measured and reported for Harris County?

Crime data for Harris County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Harris County?

Harris County has a safety score of 32/100, which is below the Texas average of 47/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.