Worst Places to Live in Texas in 2024: Avoid These Towns

Texas is famous for its vast landscapes and bustling cities, attracting many people to settle here. However, some communities in the state face significant challenges that impact the quality of life for their residents.

Here are some of the worst places to live in Texas in 2024, highlighting economic difficulties, social issues, and efforts to revitalize these areas.

1. Hutchins

Hutchins, a small town near Dallas, struggles with high poverty and unemployment rates. About 35% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate is 8.3%. The town also has a crime rate 60% above the national average. Poor education and housing quality add to its difficulties.

2. Robstown

Robstown, an agricultural town near Corpus Christi, offers limited job opportunities outside of crop harvesting. Nearly 40% of its residents live in poverty, and public schools are severely underfunded. The town also has a violent crime rate three times higher than the national average.

3. Livingston

Located near Lake Livingston, this town has a crime rate 90% above the national average. With a low median income of $33,000 and a median home value of $88,900, Livingston also faces poor health and environmental conditions. The graduation rate is just 77%, indicating educational challenges.

4. San Benito

Near the Mexico border, San Benito has high poverty levels, with 30% of households living below the poverty line. The town’s income levels are below average, and its schools are under-resourced. Crime rates are more than double the state average.

5. Balch Springs

Balch Springs, a suburb of Dallas, has violent crime rates 225% higher than average, widespread poverty, and high unemployment. Outdated infrastructure and minimal recreational opportunities make it the worst place to live in Texas. The school district is also considered one of the worst in the state.

6. Port Arthur

Port Arthur, located between Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico, faces severe economic and social challenges. Nearly one-third of its residents live in poverty, and the area suffers from high crime rates, crumbling infrastructure, and the impacts of repeated hurricanes. The unemployment rate is 10.4%, and the median home value is just $64,600.

7. Cleveland

Cleveland, Texas, has a high poverty rate, with 10% of families living below the poverty line. The crime rate is significantly higher than the national average, with violent crime nearly double the U.S. average. These challenges necessitate a multifaceted approach to improve the overall quality of life for residents.

8. Donna

Donna faces severe socioeconomic challenges, with a median household income of $34,049 and 33.3% of families living in poverty. The town also has a violent crime rate almost double the national average, highlighting the need for targeted crime reduction strategies and economic support initiatives.

9. Killeen

Killeen has one of the highest violent crime rates in the nation. With 15.7% of its population living in poverty, the town also faces issues with gang violence and drug trafficking. Public schools are underperforming, and the crime rate is concerningly high, making it a challenging place to live.

10. Freeport

Freeport, on the Gulf of Mexico, has high poverty and crime rates. The cost of living is low, but so is the quality of life. Public services are weak, and the crime rate is significantly above the national average, making it one of the least desirable areas to live in Texas.

11. Sinton

Sinton, in San Patricio County, has a poverty rate of 26.9%. The town’s violent crime rate is nearly double the national average, and property crime is also high. These challenges highlight the need for improved safety measures and economic support.

12. Jacksonville

Jacksonville, in Cherokee County, has a high poverty rate of 22.2%. The town’s crime rate is significantly above the national average, and residents face a high risk of becoming victims of violent or property crime. These issues call for comprehensive efforts to improve safety and economic conditions.

13. Dilley

Dilley, located southwest of San Antonio, has limited job opportunities outside of agriculture. The town faces elevated rates of poverty and crime, and its school system is underfunded. Housing options are also sparse and aging.

14. Orange

Orange, near Louisiana, has stagnated economically with the decline of its local industries. Today, roughly one-third of its residents live in poverty, and the town faces high crime rates, drug issues, and crumbling infrastructure.

15. Snyder

Snyder, in West Texas, is one of the poorest places in the state, with unemployment rates triple the national average. City services are limited, and violent crime has been on the rise, making it a challenging place to live.

16. Raymondville

Raymondville is the poorest city in Texas, with nearly half the population living below the poverty line. The town faces significant challenges with limited access to employment, healthcare, and other critical services. Drug trafficking is also a major problem.

While these communities face significant challenges, ongoing efforts aim to revitalize these areas through strategic investments in economic development, infrastructure, policing, and education. By addressing these issues, there is hope for a brighter future for these Texas towns.