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C-

Is Brownsville, Texas Safe?

Population 192,957 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Brownsville means there's room for concern. The 239.4 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime close to the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,410 per 100K.

Brownsville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBrownsvilleTexas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate403.8315.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1989.92077.31,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate316.0--268.2
Theft Rate1410.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate205.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

239.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

404/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1990/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Brownsville

Violent crime in Brownsville is close to the national average. The rate of 403.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1989.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,410 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 316 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Brownsville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault316
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery63
0100% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary314
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,410
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft205
064% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Brownsville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Brownsville
403.8
State
315.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Brownsville
1989.9
State
2077.3
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Brownsville Safety

Is Brownsville safe?
Not especially. Brownsville earns a C- with a crime rate of 239.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Brownsville?
239.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 403.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1989.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Brownsville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Brownsville's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,410 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Brownsville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Brownsville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Brownsville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Brownsville?
No. Crime in Brownsville has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Brownsville compare to other cities in Texas?
Below average for the state. Brownsville ranks behind about 65% of Texas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Brownsville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Brownsville?
Bad. A C- grade and 239.4 per-thousand rate put Brownsville below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 404 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Brownsville?
403.8 per 100,000, which is 11% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (316), robbery (63), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all Texas city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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