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D+

Is Harlingen, Texas Safe?

Population 72,467 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Harlingen earns a D+ safety grade with 248.8 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs above the national average, putting the city behind 78% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,591 per 100K.

Harlingen Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHarlingenTexas AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate422.2315.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2065.82077.31,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate312.0--268.2
Theft Rate1591.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate422.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

248.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

422/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2066/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Harlingen

Violent crime in Harlingen is above the national average. The rate of 422.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2065.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,591 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 312 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Harlingen Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault312
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery74
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary358
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,591
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft422
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Harlingen Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Harlingen
422.2
State
315.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Harlingen
2065.8
State
2077.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Harlingen Safety

Is Harlingen safe?
Not especially. Harlingen earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.8 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Harlingen?
248.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 422.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2065.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Harlingen safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Harlingen's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,591 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Harlingen?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Harlingen generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Harlingen police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Harlingen?
Crime rates have held steady in Harlingen, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Harlingen compare to other cities in Texas?
Below average for the state. Harlingen ranks behind about 86% of Texas cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Harlingen to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Harlingen?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.8 per-thousand rate put Harlingen below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 422 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Harlingen?
422.2 per 100,000, which is 16% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (312), robbery (74), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

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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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