F
196%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
178%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
199%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBaton Rouge/100k peopleLouisiana/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime15,130n/a (estimate)6,8803,3772,324
Murder64n/a29.116.16.3
Rape134n/a60.943.040.0
Robbery340n/a154.667.366.1
Assault1,722n/a783.0502.1268.2
Violent crime2,260n/a (estimate)1,028629370
Burglary3,109n/a1,413.7497.8269.8
Theft8,168n/a3,714.21,940.01,401.9
Vehicle theft1,593n/a724.4310.3282.7
Property crime12,870n/a (estimate)5,8522,7481,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Baton Rouge, LA

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Baton Rouge crime rate is 196% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Baton Rouge, there were 2260 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1028 per 100,000 individuals, 177.9% higher than the national average. Additionally, Baton Rouge recorded 12870 property crimes, amounting to 5852 per 100,000 residents, 199.4% higher than the U.S. average.

With a crime rate of 6880 per 100,000 residents, Baton Rouge has a crime rate that is 196.02% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Baton Rouge that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.

Baton Rouge is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1028 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Baton Rouge is 1 in 98.

While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Baton Rouge ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Baton Rouge, there were a total of 64 murders, translating to 29 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.

Baton Rouge has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 5852 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Baton Rouge is 1 in 18, which is far higher than the national average.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Baton Rouge ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 1593 vehicle thefts, amounting to 724 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Baton Rouge within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 139.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Baton Rouge?

AreaVibes surveyed 213 local residents in Baton Rouge to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 17% of people answered that there was very little crime in Baton Rouge and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 83% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Baton Rouge a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Baton Rouge is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Baton Rouge has an overall crime rate that is 196% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 41.45 daily occurrences, comprising 6.19 violent crimes and 35.26 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Baton Rouge as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Baton Rouge Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Baton Rouge has increased by 23.5%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Baton Rouge, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 14.5%, while property crime has increased by 33.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Baton Rouge is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Baton Rouge

In Baton Rouge, the current unemployment rate stands at 5.4%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Baton Rouge crime rates.

Baton Rouge has a population density of 2574.2 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Baton Rouge crime rates.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Baton Rouge are $886, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Baton Rouge crime map



The Baton Rouge crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Baton Rouge as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Baton Rouge crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Baton Rouge crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Baton Rouge, LA Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Baton Rouge crime rates are 196% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Baton Rouge are 178% higher than the national average
      • In Baton Rouge you have a 1 in 15 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Baton Rouge is safer than 1% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Baton Rouge has increased by 22%

      Baton Rouge, LA Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Baton Rouge (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Baton Rouge on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Louisiana and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Baton Rouge (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Louisiana, are 2.04 times more than the state average and 2.96 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Baton Rouge on a daily basis are 1.63 times more than than Louisiana average and 2.78 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Baton Rouge are 2.13 times more than the daily state average and 2.99 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Baton Rouge (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Louisiana and all other cities across the US, is Baton Rouge safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Baton Rouge is safer than 9% of other cities in the state of Louisiana. In addition, Baton Rouge is safer than 1% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Louisiana and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Baton Rouge. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Baton Rouge is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Baton Rouge

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Baton Rouge is 1 in 98
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Baton Rouge is 1 in 18
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Baton Rouge is 1 in 15
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Baton Rouge, Louisiana? If you reside in Baton Rouge, then there is a 1 in 98 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 18. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 15 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Baton Rouge.

        Year Over Year Crime In Baton Rouge (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Baton Rouge is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Baton Rouge violent crime rates have decreased by 15%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 33% year over year. Total crimes for Baton Rouge has increased by 22% in the same time frame.

        Baton Rouge police department

        Item Baton Rouge Louisiana National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)8417,311558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.64.23.3
        There are a total of 841 Baton Rouge police officers. This results in 3.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 14.1% less than the Louisiana average and 11.7% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Louisiana

        State Total offenders Louisiana /100K National /100K
        Louisiana12,948286266
        There are a total of 12,948 sex offenders in Louisiana. This yields a total of 286 sex offenders in Louisiana per 100,000 residents which is 8% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Brusly, LA2,69077423500
        Westminster, LA2,713120523643
        Addis, LA5,635148497645
        Inniswold, LA6,7602058941,098
        Oak Hills Place, LA8,4722219641,185
        Shenandoah, LA21,0452571,1211,378
        Village St. George, LA7,6882991,3071,606
        Baton Rouge, LA222,1911,0285,8526,880

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Spokane, WA219,1856725,7366,408
        Spring Valley, NV218,6976263,2823,908
        San Bernardino, CA216,7841,1862,9554,141
        Boise, ID228,0572471,2041,451
        Tacoma, WA215,7661,6108,54010,149
        Baton Rouge, LA222,1911,0285,8526,880
        Source: The Baton Rouge, LA crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.