Galveston, TX Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Galveston Crime

Is Galveston safe?

Yes — Galveston earns a city-wide Safety Rating of B (Safe) based on analysis of 31 neighborhoods. A full 84% of neighborhoods fall into the A or B grade range, meaning the vast majority of the island offers a secure environment for residents and visitors. Only 3.2% of neighborhoods — a single area — received a D grade, and no neighborhoods received an F. The safest pockets of the island include Pirates' Beach and Jamaica Beach (both Grade A, with median household incomes above $103,000), as well as Lake Madeline (Grade A, population 3,473), which is one of the largest and safest residential communities on the island. Areas to approach with more caution include Old Central / Carver Park (Grade D+) and San Marino (Grade C-), though even these represent a small fraction of Galveston's total neighborhoods.

What is the crime rate in Galveston?

Galveston carries an overall Crime Grade of C- at the city level, which reflects the influence of a handful of higher-crime neighborhoods on the aggregate figure. However, that city-level grade tells only part of the story. When you look at the neighborhood breakdown, 38.7% of neighborhoods earn an A grade and 45.2% earn a B grade — together accounting for 84% of analyzed areas. Just 12.9% of neighborhoods score a C, and only 3.2% score a D. The gap between the city-wide C- and the neighborhood-level B safety rating reflects how concentrated crime is in a small number of areas — particularly Old Central / Carver Park, San Marino, and the University Area — rather than spread evenly across the island.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Galveston?

Of the 31 neighborhoods analyzed, 12 earned a Grade A and 14 earned a Grade B, giving house-hunters and renters a wide selection of safe communities. The top-rated neighborhoods include:

• Pirates' Beach — Grade A, median income $103,311
• Jamaica Beach — Grade A, median income $103,187
• Pointe West — Grade A, median income $67,697
• Terramar Beach — Grade A, median income $67,697
• Indian Beach — Grade A, median income $67,697
• Bay Harbor — Grade A, median income $67,697
• Sea Isle — Grade A, median income $67,697
• Isla del Sol — Grade A, median income $67,697
• Lake Madeline — Grade A, median income $78,625 (one of the largest safe neighborhoods with 3,473 residents)
• Evia — Grade A-, median income $73,011

Pirates' Beach and Jamaica Beach stand out not only for their A grades but for median incomes more than double the city median of $51,280, a pattern that typically correlates with lower property crime rates. Lake Madeline is notable because it combines a strong A grade with a meaningful residential population, making it one of the most practical safe-neighborhood options for families.

Which neighborhoods in Galveston have higher crime?

Five neighborhoods fall below a B grade, and understanding where they rank helps contextualize risk. Old Central / Carver Park is the only D-grade area on the island — the single neighborhood in the 3.2% D+F tier. Below that, San Marino earns a C-, University Area earns a C, and both Lindale Park / Fish Village and San Jacinto receive a C+. Together, these five neighborhoods account for just 16.1% of analyzed areas, underscoring that elevated crime is geographically concentrated rather than island-wide. Visitors and residents who stay aware of these specific zones — and use the interactive crime map to track incident patterns — can significantly reduce their exposure to higher-risk situations.

Is Galveston a good place to live?

For most residents, yes. Galveston offers a coastal lifestyle at a relatively accessible price point: the median home value is $199,402 and median rent is $1,024/month, both below many comparable Texas coastal markets. The median household income of $51,280 and a population of about 50,307 give the city a mid-sized, community-oriented feel. The economic picture does include some challenges — an 8% unemployment rate and a 18.7% poverty rate are above state averages — and these factors contribute to the city's C- overall crime grade. That said, 84% of neighborhoods are rated A or B, meaning families and individuals who choose their neighborhood thoughtfully — prioritizing areas like Lake Madeline, Evia, or the western beach communities — can enjoy a genuinely safe living environment with the added benefit of Galveston's beaches, historic districts, and cultural amenities.

How does Galveston's neighborhood crime data affect home-buying decisions?

The neighborhood-level grade distribution is arguably the most useful data point for home buyers. With 12 Grade-A neighborhoods and 14 Grade-B neighborhoods out of 31 total, buyers have substantial inventory to evaluate in safe areas. The A-grade communities — particularly Pirates' Beach, Jamaica Beach, and Lake Madeline — tend to carry higher median incomes, which often translates to lower property crime and stronger neighborhood stability. Conversely, the C and D-grade areas like Old Central / Carver Park and San Marino may offer lower entry prices but come with trade-offs in safety ratings. Using the Galveston crime map alongside these letter grades allows buyers to weigh price, location, and safety data together rather than relying on any single metric.