The Dark Fascination: True Crime Culture In Texas Unveiled

If you’re a Texan who can’t get enough true crime, you’re definitely not alone. A recent study found that Texas ranks among the top 10 states most obsessed with the topic.

Yep, Texas is right up there with Massachusetts, New York, and Colorado when it comes to Googling the latest cases and binging the latest documentaries. So, just how into it are we? Turns out, true crime fans in Texas are clocking in about 3 hours and 45 minutes of true crime each week, on average. That’s just the weekly dose—many of us binge that much in one night.

It’s not just any true crime that’s getting us hooked, though. While celebrity true crime (think O.J. Simpson or Phil Spector, et al) is popular in Nevada and Arizona, Texas leans toward serial killer documentaries and unsolved mysteries. We’re talking heavy hitters like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, and even Jack the Ripper. There’s something about a mystery that draws in Texans, especially with all the questions that come with cases like the Zodiac Killer or those still-unresolved disappearances of people from all over the country--and the world!

One interesting part of this study? People in bigger cities tend to be more into true crime than those in rural areas. That means that places like Dallas, Houston, and even Lubbock have more residents glued to their screens for true crime than some of the smaller Texas towns.

Meanwhile, some Southern states aren’t quite as into the trend—Georgia and Mississippi were among the least obsessed. But here in the Lone Star state, we LOVE our true crime stories!

The topic has found its fanbase deep in the heart of Texas. So next time you’re up late watching the latest documentary or dissecting a new podcast, know you’re part of a big, true-crime-loving Texas community that feels the same!