Texas has a diverse range of cultures, natural beauty, and history. However, despite its beauty, many cities are facing challenges such as crime, poverty, unemployment, and a decreased quality of life. This piece explores 15 Texan cities facing these challenges, based on various criteria and statistics.
Our ranking criteria include:
Crime Rate: This includes both violent and property crimes per 1,000 residents, drawing from the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer.
Percentage of people living below the federal poverty line in 2021: $12,880 for single individuals and $26,500 for families of four.
The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who are looking for work but cannot find a job, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Quality of Life is a comprehensive measure that includes health, education, environment, social cohesion, and personal well-being, according to the U.S. News & World Report.
Let’s dive right in and explore the 15 Texan cities dealing with significant challenges, starting with the toughest one:
- Odessa is situated in Ector County and has a population of 123,334 residents. It is known as Texas’s most dangerous city with a crime rate of 56.64 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is 16.8%, with a low quality of life score of 4.9 out of 10. Odessa has an unemployment rate of 8.2%, which is higher than the state average of 6.6%.
- Located in Harris County, Humble has a population of 15,569 and faces a high rate of property crime at 100.37 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is quite high at 28.2%, and the quality of life score is only 5 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 8.9%, which is the highest among the figures provided.
- Palmview is located in Hidalgo County, Texas, and has a poverty rate of 30.8%, making it the poorest city in the state. It faces a high crime rate of 19.64 per 1,000 residents and a quality of life score of only 5.1 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 8%, which is considered quite high.
- Houston is Texas’s largest and most renowned city, with a population of 2.3 million, but it encounters various challenges. The city faces a high crime rate of 19.67 per 1,000 residents, mainly centered in neighborhoods such as North and West Houston. The poverty rate is 23%, and the quality of life score is 5.2 out of 10. The unemployment rate is 7.4%, which is higher than the state average.
- Lubbock is home to 258,862 residents and is considered one of the more dangerous cities in the state, with a crime rate of 18.81 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is reported at 19%, with a quality of life score of 5.3 out of 10. Lubbock has an unemployment rate of 7%, which is slightly higher than the state average.
- Bastrop is situated in Bastrop County, housing 9,420 residents and experiencing a notable property crime risk, with a rate of 97.66 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is 18%, and it has a quality of life score of 5.4 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.9%, approaching the state average.
- Bellmead, located in McLennan County, has a population of 10,292 and is considered the most violent city in Texas, with a rate of 12.79 per thousand residents. The poverty rate is 24% and the quality of life score is 5.5 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.8%, which is approximately consistent with the state average.
- Alamo is situated in Hidalgo County and faces challenges with poverty, with a rate of 29%. The city has a crime rate of 16.51 per 1,000 residents and a quality of life score of 5.6 out of 10. The unemployment rate of 6.7% aligns with the state average.
- Amarillo, located in Potter County, is home to 199,924 residents and faces a crime rate of 16.25 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is 18%, and the quality of life score is 5.7 out of 10. The unemployment rate is 6.6%, which is in line with the state average.
- Dallas is located in Dallas County and is the second-largest city in Texas, with a population of 1.3 million. However, it encounters challenges such as a crime rate of 15.76 per 1,000 residents, involving offenses like homicide and arson. The poverty rate is 21%, and the quality of life score is 5.8 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.5%, just under the state average.
- San Antonio is the third-largest city in Texas, boasting a population of 1.5 million. The city faces a crime rate of 15.64 per 1,000 residents, which includes offenses such as rape and aggravated assault. The poverty rate is 18%, and the quality of life score is 5.9 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.4%, which is slightly lower than the state average.
- Corpus Christi, located in Nueces County, is home to 326,586 residents and has a crime rate of 15.55 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is 17%, and the quality of life score is 6 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.3%, once more slightly lower than the state average.
- In Webb County, Laredo is home to 262,491 residents and has a poverty rate of 27%. The area has a crime rate of 14.87 per 1,000 residents and a quality of life score of 6.1 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.2%, just under the state average.
- El Paso: El Paso, located in El Paso County, has a population of 681,728 residents and a crime rate of 14.19 per 1,000 residents. The poverty rate is 20%, and the quality of life score is 6.2 out of 10. The unemployment rate stands at 6.1%, once more slightly lower than the state average.
- Brownsville is situated in Cameron County and is home to 183,392 residents, with a poverty rate of 29%. The city has a crime rate of 13.51 per thousand residents and a quality of life score of 6.3 out of ten. The unemployment rate stands at six percent, just under the state average.
In conclusion
Overall, these 15 Texan cities face notable challenges, as shown by the data and criteria used. It’s important to mention that these cities also offer a wealth of historical, cultural, and natural attractions, making them great places to visit. In addition, the resilient and diverse communities are working hard to overcome these challenges and improve their opportunities. We aim for this article to encourage exploration of these cities and spark interest in their development.
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