Due to the magic of Google Maps, the end of 2023 allowed for the creation of an interactive map that documented every single murder committed in Houston last year.

An examination of this homicide data for Houston reveals a significant decrease in 2023 compared to previous years. Compared to 571 homicides recorded in 2022, a total of 450 incidents were reported in 2023, reflecting a noteworthy 21% reduction. This figure aligns closely with the 23% decrease previously reported by both Mayor Sylvester Turner and the Houston Police Department.

While the presented homicide map may contain duplicate points for multi-victim incidents, the overall trend remains apparent. Notably, two specific apartment complexes within the Edgebrook district, identified as areas of concentrated violence in 2021 (12 murders) and 2022 (14 murders), experienced a dramatic drop in 2023 with only 1 homicide. This positive shift can be attributed, in part, to increased police presence following media attention highlighting the severity of the situation.

Further analysis reveals additional regional trends, with Spring Branch exhibiting a higher-than-usual homicide rate and the Fort Bend Houston area (adjacent to Missouri City) experiencing a surge to 9 incidents compared to its typical levels.

Despite these localized variations, the overall homicide picture in Houston is encouraging. Alief/West-Southwest, Cypress Station/Greenspoint, Midtown, 3rd Ward/OST+South Union, and South Park/Sunnyside, conventionally viewed as high-crime areas, did not deviate significantly from established patterns.

The total number of homicides in Houston for 2023, estimated at approximately 350, represents a substantial decrease compared to both 2022 and the peak period in 2021. While exceeding pre-pandemic levels, this downward trend indicates movement in a positive direction. The hope for further decline in 2024 persists, encouraging renewed optimism for improved public safety within the city.