Westwego, LA Crime Rates: Stats & Map

D

2%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

31%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

3%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

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.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Westwego_{/100k people}	Louisiana_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	196	n/a (estimate)	2,371	3,377	2,324
Murder	0	n/a	0.0	16.1	6.3
Rape	0	n/a	0.0	43.0	40.0
Robbery	2	n/a	24.2	67.3	66.1
Assault	38	n/a	459.7	502.1	268.2
Violent crime	40	n/a (estimate)	484	629	370
Burglary	27	n/a	326.6	497.8	269.8
Theft	112	n/a	1,354.9	1,940.0	1,401.9
Vehicle theft	17	n/a	205.7	310.3	282.7
Property crime	156	n/a (estimate)	1,887	2,748	1,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Westwego, LA

The Westwego crime rates are 2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 40 violent crimes in Westwego (484 per 100,000 people), which is 30.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 156 property crimes (1887 per 100,000 residents) which is 3.4% lower than average.

The Westwego crime rate is about average when compared to all the other cities across the U.S. per 100,000 residents. When we compared the total crimes (violent and property) in Westwego, we found that the reported crime rates were almost equal to the average of all other areas that reported crime.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Westwego reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Westwego is very similar to the national average. Westwego had a property crime rate of 1887, while the national average was 1954. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.

Is Westwego a Safe Place to Live?

Is Westwego a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Westwego has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 2%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.54 daily incidents, encompassing 0.11 violent crimes and 0.43 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Westwego as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Westwego Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Westwego. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Westwego has increased by 6%. Violent crimes have decreased by 31%, while property crimes have increased by 22.8%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Westwego

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Westwego crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Westwego has an unemployment rate of 2.9%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Westwego crime rates. Westwego registers a population density of 2699.3 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Westwego, 66.1% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

Westwego crime map

The Westwego crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Westwego 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 Westwego crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Westwego 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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Crime Quick Facts

Westwego crime rates are 2% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Westwego are 31% higher than the national average
In Westwego you have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Westwego is safer than 21% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Westwego has increased by 6%

Westwego, LA Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Westwego (per 100,000 people)

The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Westwego 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 Westwego (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Louisiana, are 1.42 times less than the state average and 1.02 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Westwego on a daily basis are 1.30 times less than than Louisiana average and 1.31 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Westwego are 1.46 times less than the daily state average and 1.04 times less than the daily national numbers.

How Safe is Westwego (higher is better)

Is Westwego safe in comparison to other cities in the state of Louisiana as well as in comparison to the rest of the areas across the United States. Using the gauges above, which compare crime in Westwego to other cities in the state and across the country, Westwego is 55% safer than other cities of Louisiana and 21% safer than other cities in the nation. Westwego has a ranks below average in comparison to other cities in the country.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Westwego

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Westwego is 1 in 207

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Westwego is 1 in 53

The chance of being a victim of crime in Westwego is 1 in 43

How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Westwego, Louisiana you have a 1 in 207 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 53 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Westwego.

Year Over Year Crime In Westwego (per 100,000 people)

Determining whether Westwego is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Westwego violent crime rates have decreased by 31%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 23% year over year. Total crimes for Westwego has increased by 6% in the same time frame.

Westwego police department

Item	Westwego	Louisiana	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	40	7,311	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	4.7	4.2	3.3

There are a total of 40 Westwego police officers. This results in 4.7 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 10.2% greater than the Louisiana average and 43.3% greater than the National average.

Sex offenders in Louisiana

State	Total offenders	Louisiana_/100K	National_/100K
Louisiana	12,948	286	266

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}
Lafourche Crossing, LA	1,982	181	792	973
Harahan, LA	9,293	170	861	1,031
Ama, LA	1,052	197	861	1,058
Jean Lafitte, LA	2,329	229	1,000	1,229
River Ridge, LA	13,690	241	1,051	1,292
Elmwood, LA	6,099	242	1,057	1,298
Barataria, LA	1,027	253	1,105	1,358
Westwego, LA	8,411	484	1,887	2,371

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Dumbarton, VA	8,411	291	2,112	2,404
Heber, CA	8,413	519	2,434	2,954
Spring Valley Lake, CA	8,408	540	2,528	3,068
Greenville, MI	8,407	462	2,193	2,655
Hyrum, UT	8,415	264	2,066	2,330
Westwego, LA	8,411	484	1,887	2,371

Source: The Westwego, 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.