| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lafayette/100k people | Indiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,886 | n/a (estimate) | 2,642 | 1,692 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 5 | n/a | 7.0 | 5.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 88 | n/a | 123.3 | 33.5 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 32 | n/a | 44.8 | 34.5 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 303 | n/a | 424.5 | 239.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 428 | n/a (estimate) | 600 | 313 | 359 |
| Burglary | 109 | n/a | 152.7 | 176.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,172 | n/a | 1,642.1 | 988.8 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 177 | n/a | 248.0 | 213.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,458 | n/a (estimate) | 2,043 | 1,379 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Lafayette is 24.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Lafayette, there were 428 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 600 per 100,000 individuals, 67% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1458 property crimes, amounting to 2043 per 100,000 residents, 16.1% higher than the U.S. average.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Lafayette residents. Out of the respondents (92 in total), 33% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Lafayette were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 67% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
To determine if Lafayette is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Lafayette has a total crime rate that is 25% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 5.17 daily crimes (1.17 violent daily crimes and 3.99 daily property crimes) in Lafayette.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Lafayette. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Lafayette has decreased by 28.2%. Specifically, violent crime has didn't change by 0%, while property crime has decreased by 33.7%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Lafayette.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Lafayette, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 3.6%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
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 Lafayette, 81.8% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Lafayette, the cost of living is 9.4% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Lafayette | Indiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 169 | 8,766 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.5 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Indiana /100K | National /100K |
| Indiana | 12,315 | 198 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Battle Ground, IN | 1,858 | 55 | 241 | 296 |
| Shadeland, IN | 2,345 | 75 | 331 | 406 |
| Rossville, IN | 1,701 | 112 | 494 | 606 |
| Brookston, IN | 1,434 | 121 | 535 | 656 |
| Mulberry, IN | 1,366 | 127 | 558 | 685 |
| Otterbein, IN | 1,059 | 129 | 568 | 697 |
| Americus, IN | 243 | 150 | 659 | 809 |
| Lafayette, IN | 75,191 | 600 | 2,043 | 2,642 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Apple Valley, CA | 75,217 | 516 | 1,602 | 2,119 |
| South Jordan, UT | 75,278 | 115 | 867 | 982 |
| New Britain, CT | 74,963 | 421 | 1,925 | 2,347 |
| Flagstaff, AZ | 75,433 | 463 | 2,232 | 2,695 |
| Albany, GA | 74,905 | 824 | 1,608 | 2,432 |
| Lafayette, IN | 75,191 | 600 | 2,043 | 2,642 |
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