| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | New Orleans/100k people | Louisiana/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 22,522 | n/a (estimate) | 6,085 | 3,377 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 266 | n/a | 71.9 | 16.1 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 442 | n/a | 119.4 | 43.0 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 1,039 | n/a | 280.7 | 67.3 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 3,598 | n/a | 972.1 | 502.1 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 5,345 | n/a (estimate) | 1,444 | 629 | 370 |
| Burglary | 1,837 | n/a | 496.3 | 497.8 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 11,138 | n/a | 3,009.2 | 1,940.0 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 4,202 | n/a | 1,135.3 | 310.3 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 17,177 | n/a (estimate) | 4,641 | 2,748 | 1,954 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the New Orleans crime rate is higher than the national average by 161.8%. Specifically, there were 5345 violent crimes in New Orleans, equivalent to 1444 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 290.5%. Furthermore, New Orleans recorded 17177 property crimes, amounting to 4641 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 137.5%.
With a crime rate of 6085 per 100,000 residents, New Orleans has a crime rate that is 161.81% 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 New Orleans 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.
New Orleans is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1444 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 New Orleans is 1 in 70.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. New Orleans has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 266 murders in New Orleans, which is 72 murders per 100,000 people.
With a property crime rate of 4641 crimes per 100,000 people, New Orleans unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in New Orleans is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 22, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and New Orleans faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 4202 vehicle thefts, translating to 1135 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places New Orleans in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 89.
What do the local residents think about crime in New Orleans? Well, based on a recent survey of 267 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 22% of New Orleans residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 78% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is New Orleans 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, New Orleans has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 162%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 61.7 daily incidents, encompassing 14.64 violent crimes and 47.06 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of New Orleans as a potential place to call home.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in New Orleans. 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 New Orleans has decreased by 2.5%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 2.5%, while property crime has decreased by 3.9%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in New Orleans.
The New Orleans area comprises a diverse array of over 69 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Lakeview, Lake Shore-Lake Vista and West End which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Tulane-Gravier, Treme' Lafitte and Central City exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different New Orleans neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower New Orleans crime rates. In New Orleans, the poverty rate stands at 23%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
New Orleans reports an unemployment rate of 5.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall New Orleans crime rates.
The educational level achieved in any given city can influence crime rates significantly. Greater educational achievement is frequently associated with decreased crime rates, as it offers individuals improved job prospects and alternatives to engaging in crime related activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment rates tend to coincide with elevated crime rates. In New Orleans, 82.9% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, in contrast to the national average where 83% have achieved high school graduation.
| Item | New Orleans | Louisiana | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 1,513 | 7,311 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.2 | 4.2 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Louisiana /100K | National /100K |
| Louisiana | 12,948 | 286 | 266 |
| 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 |
| Poydras, LA | 2,506 | 325 | 1,420 | 1,744 |
| New Orleans, LA | 391,249 | 1,444 | 4,641 | 6,085 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Wichita, KS | 390,566 | 931 | 3,524 | 4,454 |
| Tampa, FL | 395,912 | 497 | 1,674 | 2,170 |
| Arlington, TX | 397,269 | 580 | 2,525 | 3,105 |
| Cleveland, OH | 383,331 | 1,614 | 4,317 | 5,931 |
| Tulsa, OK | 402,441 | 929 | 4,272 | 5,201 |
| New Orleans, LA | 391,249 | 1,444 | 4,641 | 6,085 |
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