Is Austin Dangerous?
Austin is a relatively safe city, with crime rates that are lower than other large American cities. Austin’s downtown and tourist districts are some of the safest parts of the city. If you stay in these neighborhoods and avoid the worst areas in the city, you won’t have to worry much about crime.
Overall, Austin residents have a 1 in 18 chance of becoming the victims of a crime. The most dangerous neighborhoods in the city are generally in the north and central parts of the city.
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Austin
- Bouldin Creek
- Heritage Hills
- Georgian Acres
- Montopolis
- Rosewood
- Martin Luther King Highway 183
- Riverside
- Pecan Springs / Springdale
- Johnston Terrace
- Saint Johns
1. Bouldin Creek
Bouldin Creek is the most dangerous neighborhood in Austin. Located just south of downtown Austin, Bouldin is known for its trendy shops, authentic restaurants, and quirky atmosphere. It’s a popular area for families and young people, although the crime rate is significantly higher than the rest of the city. The crime rate in Bouldin Creek is 13,549 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 483% higher than the rest of the country. The violent crime rate is 309% higher than the national average and 180% higher than the rest of Austin. The property crime rate is also 516% higher than the rest of the country, while your chances of being the victim of a crime in Bouldin Creek are 1 in 8.
2. Heritage Hills
Heritage Hills is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Austin. Nestled in a corner of northeast Austin in between the I-35 Expressway and US Route 183, Heritage Hills is home to notable attractions such as Wonderspaces Austin and Gustavo L.Garcia District Park. It’s an affordable neighborhood with easy access to transportation, although safety in the area is a concern. The total crime rate in Heritage Hills is 13,092 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 463% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 291% higher than the rest of the country and 167% higher than the rest of Austin. Your odds of being the victim of a crime in Heritage Hills are 1 in 9.
3. Georgian Acres
Another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Austin is Georgian Acres. This residential area in north central Austin has a population of 9,600 and the worst levels of crime in the city. The crime rate in Georgian Acres was 10,925 per 100,000 in 2022, which is a whopping 365% higher than the national average. Georgian Acres has a bad reputation, which is well-deserved. However, in recent years parts of the neighborhood have begun to be revitalized. The current median home price stands at just $90,800.
4. Montopolis
Another one of the most violent neighborhoods in Austin is Montopolis. This neighborhood is located in southeast Austin and has a population of 12,211. It has been considered one of the worst parts of Austin for years, as the neighborhood’s crime rate is an astounding 302% higher than the national average. With residents having a 1 in 11 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime, Montopolis is definitely an area that is best left avoided.
5. Rosewood
Rosewood is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Austin. Located in east Austin, Rosewood is to the southwest of MLK and has a reputation for being one of the more dangerous parts of the city. The violent crime rate is 184% higher than the citywide crime rate. The violent crime rate is also 315% higher than the national average, and property crime is 231% higher. Your odds of being the victim of a crime in the Rosewood neighborhood are 1 in 13, while your odds of being the victim of a violent crime are 1 in 66.
6. Martin Luther King Highway 183
The Martin Luther King Highway 183 area is another one of the worst Austin neighborhoods for crime. It has a population of 8,366 and a crime rate of 8,250 per 100,000. In 2022, the overall crime rate in the Martin Luther King Highway 183 neighborhood was 252% higher than the national average. This neighborhood is notorious for violent and property crime. This area has been affected by high poverty rates for years, having a median income of $38,101.
7. Riverside
Riverside is another dangerous Austin neighborhood. It has a crime rate of 8,283 per 100,000. Overall, Riverside’s crime rate is 248% higher than the national average. Riverside is a growing area that is quickly becoming home to many families looking for affordable housing options. Although the area struggles with high crime rates, violent crime isn’t a major issue in Riverside, and most crime involves personal theft and car theft.
8. Pecan Springs / Springdale
The Pecan Springs-Springdale area is also one of the more dangerous parts of Austin. Situated in East Austin, north of MLK Blvd and west of the 183 Toll Road, it’s a low-income area full of working-class families. It also has a crime rate that is 236% higher than the national average. The violent crime rate is 169% higher than the rest of Austin and 293% higher than the rest of the US. Property crime is also 225% higher than the rest of the country, and your chances of encountering crime in the Pecan-Springdale community are 1 in 13.
9. Johnston Terrace
Johnston Terrace is a small community in east Austin with a population of 1,681. The total crime rate in Johnston Terrace is 7,695 per 100,000, which is 228% higher than the national average. Residents have a strong likelihood of becoming the victim of a crime, with crimes like theft and burglary being common. Despite this, Johnston Terrace is home to many middle-class residents looking for more affordable options within Austin. While the area is affordable, you’ll want to always be aware of your surroundings, as it’s one of the most dangerous places to live in Austin.
10. Saint Johns
Saint Johns is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Austin. Saint Johns is located in central Austin and has a population of 9,414. Crime in Saint Johns is 156% higher than the national average, with a total crime rate of 6,002. Residents have a 1 in 17 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. Saint Johns is best described as a working-class neighborhood, having a median home price of $149,120.