Safest cities in Louisiana

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.

Addis Population: 5,635 486 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 26 Property Crime / 100k: 459 chance of being a victim: 1 in 206

Addis proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Louisiana. With only 486 crimes per 100,000 people, Addis has a crime rate that is 92% lower than the Louisiana average. This equates to an average of 0.10 crimes per day and a 1 in 206 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: 5,844 586 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 337 Property Crime / 100k: 249 chance of being a victim: 1 in 171

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 586 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 36 counts of burglary, 195 counts of theft, 18 counts of vehicle theft, 337 counts of assault, 0 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: 9,293 878 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 162 Property Crime / 100k: 716 chance of being a victim: 1 in 114

With a population of 9,293 and a total crime rate of 878 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.

Covington Population: 10,471 1,122 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 146 Property Crime / 100k: 976 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Covington 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 1,122, 88% lower than the Louisiana average. This amounts to 0.36 crimes per day and a 1 in 89 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 Covington a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Tallulah Population: 6,722 1,155 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 810 Property Crime / 100k: 345 chance of being a victim: 1 in 87

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Tallulah consistently ranks high in safety. In Tallulah, 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 1,155, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Rayne Population: 8,062 1,180 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 1,136 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

Rayne 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 1,180 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Louisiana average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 43 reports of burglary, 1,036 reports of theft, 58 reports of vehicle theft, 43 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Mandeville Population: 12,567 1,378 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 134 Property Crime / 100k: 1,244 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 0.51 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 1,880 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 252 Property Crime / 100k: 1,628 chance of being a victim: 1 in 53

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 1,880 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.

Broussard Population: 12,248 2,132 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 172 Property Crime / 100k: 1,960 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. Broussard 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 2,132 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 85% lower than the state average.

Baker Population: 13,233 2,176 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 390 Property Crime / 100k: 1,786 chance of being a victim: 1 in 46

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Louisiana, is Baker. With a low rate of crime that included 390 burglaries, 988 thefts, 407 vehicle thefts, 316 assaults, 17 robberies, 42 rapes and 17 homicides, the overall crime rate was 88% 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	Addis	5,635	26	459	486
2	Patterson	5,844	337	249	586
3	Harahan	9,293	162	716	878
4	Covington	10,471	146	976	1,122
5	Tallulah	6,722	810	345	1,155
6	Rayne	8,062	43	1,136	1,180
7	Mandeville	12,567	134	1,244	1,378
8	DeRidder	10,955	252	1,628	1,880
9	Broussard	12,248	172	1,960	2,132
10	Baker	13,233	390	1,786	2,176
11	Zachary	17,699	342	2,229	2,571
12	Westwego	8,411	620	2,069	2,689
13	Slidell	27,782	311	2,589	2,900
14	Thibodaux	14,565	364	2,745	3,110
15	Kenner	66,759	323	3,206	3,528
16	Sulphur	20,122	275	3,288	3,563
17	Lake Charles	77,832	636	2,939	3,575
18	Plaquemine	6,589	893	3,004	3,896
19	Houma	33,053	609	3,536	4,145
20	Morgan City	10,963	834	3,362	4,196
21	Gretna	17,746	473	3,730	4,203
22	Ponchatoula	7,311	555	3,659	4,215
23	Ruston	21,987	644	3,966	4,610
24	Walker	6,278	876	3,771	4,647
25	Bastrop	10,060	737	4,253	4,989
26	Shreveport	189,890	744	4,475	5,219
27	Bogalusa	11,658	1,231	4,118	5,348
28	Lafayette	126,674	818	4,603	5,421
29	Bossier City	68,286	911	4,570	5,481
30	Gonzales	10,932	676	5,042	5,718
31	Jennings	9,874	1,012	4,880	5,892
32	New Orleans	391,249	1,361	5,090	6,451
33	Baton Rouge	222,191	1,004	5,527	6,530
34	West Monroe	12,431	1,359	5,895	7,254
35	Opelousas	16,687	1,680	5,762	7,442
36	Marksville	5,376	2,209	5,627	7,837
37	Monroe	47,906	2,104	6,048	8,152
38	Alexandria	46,545	1,972	6,394	8,366

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.