12 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Las Vegas
- West Las Vegas
- Rancho Charleston
- Buffalo
- Charleston Heights
- Twin Lakes
- Michael Way
- East Las Vegas
- Desert Shores
- Downtown East
- Huntridge
- Sunrise Manor
- Cultural Corridor
1. West Las Vegas
The most dangerous neighborhood in Las Vegas is West Las Vegas. Located near the Strip, West Las Vegas attracts many tourists, and as a result, the area remains a hotspot for predatory criminal activity. West Las Vegas has a population of roughly 20,000 people and a crime rate that is a massive 508% above the national average. Both violent and property crime are rife in this neighborhood, with robberies, muggings, and assaults being common. Theft and scams are a major issue in this area, with unsuspecting tourists often being victimized.
2. Rancho Charleston
Rancho Charleston is a neighborhood located west of downtown Las Vegas that many tourists and residents would rather avoid. With a population of around 28,787, Rancho Charleston has a crime rate that is 504% higher than the national average. There was a total of 14,159 criminal incidents recorded in Rancho Charleston during 2022, many of which included robbery, assault, and homicide. Drug trafficking and addiction play a large role in the neighborhood’s high crime rate.
3. Buffalo
Buffalo is also one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Situated just a few miles west of downtown, Buffalo is a centrally located neighborhood with easy access to the top attractions in the city. It’s home to several shopping centers, restaurants, and casinos. I-11 passes through the northern part of the community, offering easy access to other parts of the city. Despite its convenient location, Buffalo suffers from a high crime rate. The total crime rate is 13,016 incidents per 100,000 residents, making it 279% more dangerous than the rest of Las Vegas and 460% more dangerous than the average US city. The violent crime rate is 400% higher than the rest of the US, while property crime is 471% higher. Your chances of being a victim of a crime in the Buffalo neighborhood are 1 in 8.
4. Charleston Heights
Charleston Heights is also one of the worst areas in Las Vegas for crime. Charleston Heights attracts many visitors due to its casinos, arcades, concert halls, and numerous psychic stores. The total crime rate in Charleston Heights is 251% higher than the national average, with a high violent crime rate. Gang activity has been reported in certain parts of the neighborhood, with associated violent crimes and drug activity. Theft and robbery are common as well, often targeting unsuspecting tourists.
5. Twin Lakes
Another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Las Vegas is Twin Lakes. Located in Northwestern Las Vegas, Twin Lakes is located near Wildefire Ranch and the Neon Museum. The total crime rate in Twin Lakes is 241% higher than the national average, with homicides, robberies, muggings, and thefts being common. The neighborhood has a gang presence that engages in trafficking narcotics in the area. Twin Lakes also has a problem with wildlife, such as coyotes wandering into residential parts of the neighborhood.
6. Michael Way
Michael Way is located in northwestern Las Vegas and is known for having a seedy reputation. With a population of around 51,496, Michael Way has a total crime rate that is 232% above the national average, making it one of the worst neighborhoods in Las Vegas. The neighborhood is a hotspot for drug activity, prostitution, and other types of violent and property crime. Residents have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime.
7. East Las Vegas
East Las Vegas is located just outside of the Strip and has longstanding problems with criminal activity. Out of a population of 34,490, East Las Vegas has a total crime rate that is 187% above the national average. Residents and tourists alike are victims of theft, vehicle theft, muggings, and scams, which are rife in the area. Homicides, shootings, and prostitution are also common in East Las Vegas. Homelessness and vagrancy remain a growing problem in the area.
8. Desert Shores
Desert Shores is a neighborhood in northwestern Las Vegas that remains a hotspot for property crime. The area has a total crime rate that is 150% above the national average, with homicides, assaults, and theft being commonplace. Even though Desert Shores is located in the suburbs far from the Strip, it still has lots of transient activity and homelessness.
9. Downtown East
Downtown East is also one of the worst areas in Las Vegas for crime. Downtown East is a primarily residential part of Las Vegas that, despite having a high crime rate, manages to attract tourists around areas like Fremont Street. Due to a high amount of transient activity, many tourists may find themselves victims of violent or property crime. Property theft, such as burglary, larceny, and vehicle theft, make up a large percentage of criminal activity in Downtown East.
10. Huntridge
Huntridge is another dangerous Las Vegas neighborhood. Located south of East Charleston Boulevard, about 5 miles from the Vegas Strip, Huntridge is an unassuming neighborhood full of historic homes. It was once an exclusive community in the 50s and 60s when many of the homes were built. However, it has since suffered from urban decay. It’s home to Huntridge Circle Park, which is a notable hotspot for crime and tends to attract vagrants and homeless people during the day. The total crime rate in the community is 4,591 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 34% higher than the rest of Las Vegas and 98% higher than the rest of the US. The violent crime rate is 98% higher than the national average and your odds of being the victim of a crime in the community are 1 in 22.
11. Sunrise Manor
Sunrise Manor is another one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Sunrise Manor is located on the far east side of Las Vegas near Lake Mead and is home to a population of 19,066. Sunrise Manor’s total crime rate is 88% higher than the national average. Crimes like theft, homicide, vehicle theft, and burglary are common in the area. Sunrise Manor has a high amount of transient and drug activity as well. Many residents complain about noise from nearby helicopter tours of the nearby mountains and Lake Mead.
12. Cultural Corridor
One of Las Vegas’s most popular tourist spots, the Cultural Corridor, is home to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum, helicopter tours, and numerous other activities. However, Cultural Corridor has a total crime rate that is 85% above the national average, making it one of the worst neighborhoods in Las Vegas. Property crime is a major problem in the area, with burglaries, thefts, and car thefts being common. Tourists are advised to be aware of the surroundings, especially at night, and to keep personal belongings close.