Safest cities in Louisiana

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Known as the 'Pelican State,' Louisiana is renowned for its unique cultural heritage, vibrant music scene, and delicious cuisine. Located in the southern United States, Louisiana boasts a diverse geography that includes the Mississippi River, expansive wetlands, and the Gulf Coast. The state's economy is driven by industries such as energy, petrochemicals, agriculture, and tourism. New Orleans, the state's largest city, is famous for its lively festivals, particularly Mardi Gras, as well as its historic French Quarter and jazz music. Louisiana's rich cultural heritage is reflected in its Creole and Cajun influences, which are evident in its food, music, and traditions.

Low crime rates are essential for enhancing the livability of communities in Louisiana, making the safest cities highly desirable places to live. Safety provides a foundation for economic stability and community well-being, allowing residents to feel secure in their daily lives. Factors that contribute to the safety of Louisiana's cities include community policing, neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen participation. The safest cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a reliable measure of security. This emphasis on safety ensures that residents can enjoy the many amenities and cultural attractions Louisiana has to offer without the overshadowing concern of crime.

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Tallulah Population: 6,722 798 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 461 Property Crime / 100k: 337 chance of being a victim: 1 in 125

Tallulah proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Louisiana. With only 798 crimes per 100,000 people, Tallulah has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Louisiana average. This equates to an average of 0.12 crimes per day and a 1 in 125 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Patterson Population: 5,844 811 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 270 Property Crime / 100k: 541 chance of being a victim: 1 in 123

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Patterson comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Louisiana with a crime rate of 811 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 72 counts of burglary, 468 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 234 counts of assault, 36 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Patterson, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Harahan Population: 9,293 826 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 105 Property Crime / 100k: 721 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121

With a population of 9,293 and a total crime rate of 826 per 100,000 residents, Harahan is the 3rd safest city in Louisiana. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 91% lower than the Louisiana average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Addis Population: 5,635 834 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 141 Property Crime / 100k: 693 chance of being a victim: 1 in 120

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Addis is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 834, 92% lower than the Louisiana average. This amounts to 0.18 crimes per day and a 1 in 120 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Addis a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Rayne Population: 8,062 955 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 72 Property Crime / 100k: 883 chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Rayne consistently ranks high in safety. In Rayne, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 955, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Covington Population: 10,471 1,185 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 172 Property Crime / 100k: 1,014 chance of being a victim: 1 in 84

Covington has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Louisiana. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 1,185 crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Louisiana average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 155 reports of burglary, 807 reports of theft, 52 reports of vehicle theft, 146 reports of assault, 9 reports of robbery, 17 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Mandeville Population: 12,567 1,364 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 130 Property Crime / 100k: 1,233 chance of being a victim: 1 in 73

Mandeville ranks as the seventh safest city in Louisiana and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.49 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Mandeville’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Louisiana.

DeRidder Population: 10,955 1,744 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 294 Property Crime / 100k: 1,450 chance of being a victim: 1 in 57

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, DeRidder is the 8th safest city in Louisiana. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 90% lower than the Louisiana average, reporting a total of 1,744 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Baker Population: 13,233 2,145 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 402 Property Crime / 100k: 1,743 chance of being a victim: 1 in 47

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Baker is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Louisiana, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 2,145 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Scott Population: 8,815 2,299 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 662 Property Crime / 100k: 1,637 chance of being a victim: 1 in 43

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Louisiana, is Scott. With a low rate of crime that included 236 burglaries, 1,144 thefts, 258 vehicle thefts, 572 assaults, 11 robberies, 67 rapes and 11 homicides, the overall crime rate was 91% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Louisiana

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Tallulah	6,722	461	337	798
2	Patterson	5,844	270	541	811
3	Harahan	9,293	105	721	826
4	Addis	5,635	141	693	834
5	Rayne	8,062	72	883	955
6	Covington	10,471	172	1,014	1,185
7	Mandeville	12,567	130	1,233	1,364
8	DeRidder	10,955	294	1,450	1,744
9	Baker	13,233	402	1,743	2,145
10	Scott	8,815	662	1,637	2,299
11	Broussard	12,248	195	2,154	2,348
12	Zachary	17,699	333	2,021	2,353
13	Ponchatoula	7,311	450	1,978	2,428
14	Carencro	9,346	415	2,024	2,438
15	Westwego	8,411	424	2,095	2,518
16	Slidell	27,782	257	2,285	2,541
17	Lake Charles	77,832	613	2,470	3,083
18	Kenner	66,759	345	2,833	3,177
19	Thibodaux	14,565	257	2,975	3,232
20	Sulphur	20,122	376	2,917	3,292
21	Minden	12,035	796	2,534	3,330
22	Morgan City	10,963	551	2,832	3,383
23	Ruston	21,987	427	2,956	3,383
24	Walker	6,278	703	3,189	3,892
25	New Iberia	28,965	1,009	3,125	4,135
26	Gretna	17,746	429	3,800	4,229
27	Gonzales	10,932	365	3,934	4,299
28	Jennings	9,874	1,008	3,348	4,355
29	Plaquemine	6,589	1,215	3,291	4,506
30	Bossier City	68,286	913	3,680	4,593
31	Shreveport	189,890	1,229	3,990	5,219
32	Natchitoches	17,711	891	4,385	5,276
33	Bogalusa	11,658	1,131	4,214	5,345
34	Lafayette	126,674	1,066	4,348	5,414
35	Marksville	5,376	1,848	3,570	5,418
36	Bastrop	10,060	1,422	4,834	6,256
37	Opelousas	16,687	1,369	5,019	6,388
38	West Monroe	12,431	1,156	5,886	7,042
39	Monroe	47,906	1,892	5,733	7,626
40	Alexandria	46,545	2,714	6,596	9,310

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Louisiana is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Louisiana cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.