Is Carrizo Springs Safe, Pros and cons of living in Carrizo Springs
Carrizo Springs, Texas, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and rugged South Texas landscape. This community, steeped in history and local culture, provides a distinct living experience for its residents. Understanding the various facets of life in Carrizo Springs is essential for anyone considering a move to this South Texas locale.
The city’s character is shaped by its environment and the resilience of its people. From its origins tied to natural springs to its current standing as a county seat, Carrizo Springs holds a significant place in its region. Exploring its safety, cost of living, job market, and community offerings will paint a clearer picture of what life is like here.
Is it Safe to Live in Carrizo Springs?
Carrizo Springs experiences crime rates that are higher than the national average. The overall crime rate is 40% higher than the national average, with violent crimes being 32% higher and property crimes 42% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of crime in Carrizo Springs is approximately 1 in 34 (as reported by AreaVibes). NeighborhoodScout data indicates that Carrizo Springs has one of the highest crime rates in America when compared to all communities of all sizes, with a crime rate of 29 per one thousand residents (as reported by NeighborhoodScout).
Violent crime in Carrizo Springs is reported at a rate of 8.613 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). Within the city, the eastern parts are generally considered the safest, with crime rates varying by neighborhood. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime ranges from 1 in 67 in central neighborhoods to 1 in 170 in the east (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). While NeighborhoodScout’s analysis of FBI reported crime data suggests a 1 in 199 chance of being a victim of violent crime, other sources present different statistics.
Housing Costs and Real Estate
The housing market in Carrizo Springs presents a notable affordability advantage compared to national averages. The median home value in Carrizo Springs is approximately $143,488, showing a 1.5% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). Homes for sale have a median listing price of $159,000, with a median price per square foot of $112 (as reported by Realtor). This median listing price has seen a 3.25% year-over-year appreciation (as reported by Realtor).
Rental availability in Carrizo Springs is limited, with approximately 8 active rental listings suggesting potential leverage for landlords (as reported by Realtor). The median rent is $516, significantly lower than the national average of $1,413 (as reported by Niche). For buyers, the market offers 46 homes for sale, with a median of 129 days on market (as reported by Realtor).
Job Market and Economic Landscape
Carrizo Springs has an unemployment rate of 10.4% (as reported by Point2Homes). The economy employs approximately 1.57k people, with employment growing at a rate of 10.1% from the previous year (as reported by Data USA). The most common employment sectors include Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction, Retail Trade, and Health Care & Social Assistance (as reported by Data USA).
Major employers in the area include Walmart, McDonald’s, Dollar General, and HEB (as reported by Indeed). The average annual salary for an employee in Carrizo Springs is around $34,000, with an hourly rate of $16.35 (as reported by Zippia). However, some sources indicate a higher median household income of $38,659 (as reported by Data USA) and an average salary of $49,301 (as reported by ZipRecruiter).
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in Carrizo Springs is significantly lower than both the national and state averages. The cost of living index is 82, compared to the national average of 100, meaning it is 18% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing costs are particularly low, being 57% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Groceries, goods, services, healthcare, and utilities also contribute to this lower cost of living. This affordability allows residents’ incomes to stretch further, supporting a potentially more comfortable lifestyle despite lower average earnings. The cost of living is also 13% lower than the Texas average (as reported by AreaVibes).
Climate and Weather
Carrizo Springs experiences a climate characterized by significant temperature variations between seasons. The average summer high temperature reaches up to 100°F, while winter lows can drop to around 38°F (as reported by Livability.com). The average annual rainfall is approximately 20 inches (as reported by Livability.com).
Summers are long, hot, and can be oppressive, with temperatures often feeling humid from June to September (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Winters are short, cool, and dry. The driest month is typically December, with about 0.6 inches of rain, while May sees the most precipitation with around 4.3 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather).
Education and Schools
The Carrizo Springs Consolidated Independent School District (CISD) serves the community. The district received an overall “D” rating from the Texas Education Agency (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer). This rating is based on three categories: Student Achievement (D), School Progress (C), and Closing the Gaps (D) (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer).
Carrizo Springs Elementary also received a “D” rating, with specific grades of F for Student Achievement and School Progress (as reported by Texas Tribune Schools Explorer). The district has 1,852 students in grades PK-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 16 to 1 (as reported by Niche). Approximately 32% of students are proficient in math and 40% in reading, according to state test scores (as reported by Niche).
Demographics and Community
Carrizo Springs has a population of approximately 4,723 residents (as reported by Point2Homes). The median age is 35.3 years (as reported by Point2Homes). The racial makeup is predominantly Hispanic, with 90.8% of the population identifying as such (as reported by Data USA).
The median household income in Carrizo Springs was $38,659 in 2024 (as reported by Data USA). A significant portion of the population, 37.3%, lives below the poverty line, which is higher than the national average of 12.5% (as reported by Data USA). The community offers a rural feel, with most residents owning their homes (as reported by Niche).
Major Employers
Key employers in Carrizo Springs include large retail chains such as Walmart, McDonald’s, Dollar General, and HEB (as reported by Indeed). Other significant employers contributing to the local economy are Allied Universal and Dairy Queen (as reported by Indeed). The mining, quarrying, and oil & gas extraction sector is also a major industry in the area (as reported by Data USA).
Additionally, healthcare and social assistance roles are prominent, with Dimmit Regional Hospital being a notable entity (as reported by Zippia). The Middle Rio Grande Development Council is also listed as a top company to work for in Carrizo Springs (as reported by Zippia).