Houston Crime A National Focus

Crime hotspots hit home: Two of the most dangerous neighborhoods in the country are in Houston

Houston has a remarkably low crime rate considering its population size, but how safe are the individual neighborhoods? Some are highly susceptible to violent crime — defined as murder, forcible rape, armed robbery and aggravated assault —according to NeighborhoodScout.com.

Two local neighborhoods made that website's "Top 25 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in America" list, which was ranked according to the crime rate per 1,000 residents and based on 2011 census tracts and population data from the U.S. Census Bureau as well as violent crime statistics from the FBI, the U.S. Department of Justice and thousands of local law enforcement agencies.

Ranking No. 15 on the list is Houston's Sauer St./McGowen St. census tract, which is bordered by I-45 to the north, Elgin to the south, U.S. 59 to the west and the Columbia Tap Trail to the east. The violent crime rate is 75.89 per 1,000 residents — far greater than the city average of 9.78. Residents have a one in 13 annual chance of becoming a victim (compare that to a chance of one in 102 in Houston overall).

At No. 6 is the Scott St./Wilmington St. tract, a sector of Sunnyside hemmed in by Reed Road to the north and Sims Bayou to the south, Scott Street to the west and Cullen Boulevard to the east, that contains several schools — Worthing High School, Pro-Vision and Carnegie Vanguard High School (which moved to the corner of Taft Street and West Gray in 2012). There, the rate of violent crimes is a staggering 91.27 per 1,000 residents. Chances of becoming a victim are one in 11 per year.

Both Houston spots are among the lowest income neighborhoods in America. The Sauer St./McGowen St. tract has one of the highest concentrations of studio apartments and other small living spaces in the United States. The Scott St./Wilmington St. tract has more single mother households than 99.8 percent of all U.S. neighborhoods.

Three Detroit neighborhoods topped the list, followed by one Chicago census tract and Washington Heights in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

Shotgun shacks in the Third Ward

Photo by WhisperToMe Wikipedia

Shotgun shacks in the Third Ward

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This Week's Hot Headlines

Houston bar owner speaks out after surprise arrest and more top stories

Photo by Sergio Trevino

Chris Cusack owns two locations of Betelgeuse Betelgeuse.

Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, from an unusual bar interaction to a new pizzeria and a neighborhood restaurant's goodbye. Read on for our most popular stories, then find the best things to do this weekend right here.

1. Houston bar owner speaks out about surprise arrest for health code violations. One of the most unusual interactions between a restaurant and City of Houston officials took place on May 6 when Betelgeuse Betelgeuse owner Chris Cusack was arrested for health code violations at his location on Washington Avenue. Cusack told CultureMap his side of the story.

2. Prolific Houston pizza chef fires up a new Italian restaurant in River Oaks. One of Houston’s most prolific pizzaiolos has quietly opened a new restaurant in River Oaks. Anthony Russo, founder of Russo’s New York Pizzeria, opened Anthony’s New York Italian in the former Pie Tap Pizza space at 3748 Westheimer.

Anthony's New York Italian interior Anthony's New York Italian is now open near Central Market. Courtesy of Anthony's New York Italian

3. Eclectic Houston neighborhood restaurant will shutter Bellaire store. A Houston neighborhood restaurant is saying goodbye to Bellaire after two years. KP’s Kitchen will close its location at 5427 Bissonnet on Sunday, May 31.

4. Houston hospitality 'dream team' saddles up for World Cup pop-up restaurant. Two Houston hospitality veterans are teaming up with one of the city’s soccer legends to throw an epic party during the FIFA World Cup. The Ranch Presents Pitch Live will be a 35,000-square-foot pop-up venue that mixes Texas hospitality with top-notch food, drinks, and entertainment.

5. Chef of Michelin-starred Texas BBQ joint pops up at Houston crawfish favorite. Evan LeRoy, chef and co-owner of Austin’s LeRoy and Lewis Barbecue, will be at Josephine’s this Sunday, May 17 from 2-6 pm.