Harlingen, TX Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Harlingen, TX

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Harlingen crime rate is 35.4% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Harlingen, there were 233 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 323 per 100,000 individuals, 12.6% lower than the national average. Additionally, Harlingen recorded 2034 property crimes, amounting to 2823 per 100,000 residents, 44.5% higher than the U.S. average.

The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Harlingen is very close to the national average of all cities that reported crime. Harlingen reported 323 violent crimes, while the average of all cities was 370.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Harlingen?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Harlingen. Based on the results of the surveys (34 responses), 41% of people felt that there was very little crime in Harlingen and felt safe walking alone at night. While 59% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Harlingen a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Harlingen is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Harlingen has a total crime rate that is 35% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 6.21 daily crimes (0.64 violent daily crimes and 5.57 daily property crimes) in Harlingen.

Has Crime in Harlingen Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Harlingen crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Harlingen has decreased by 7.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 11.1% and property crime has decreased by 7.1%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Harlingen

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Harlingen crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Harlingen has an unemployment rate of 3.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Harlingen has a median home price of $92,000, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Harlingen, the average rental rates are $748 per month, compared to the national average of $949.

Harlingen crime map