Laurel, MS Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Laurel, MS

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Laurel crime rate is 123.1% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Laurel, there were 105 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 615 per 100,000 individuals, 66.4% higher than the national average. Additionally, Laurel recorded 780 property crimes, amounting to 4570 per 100,000 residents, 133.9% higher than the U.S. average.

In Laurel, the crime rate stands at 5186 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 123.12%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Laurel that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Laurel 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 5 murders in Laurel, which is 29 murders per 100,000 people.

Laurel faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 4570 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Laurel stands at 1 in 22, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Laurel?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Laurel. Based on the results of the surveys (129 responses), 33% of people felt that there was very little crime in Laurel and felt safe walking alone at night. While 67% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Laurel a Safe Place to Live?

Is Laurel 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, Laurel has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 123%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 2.42 daily incidents, encompassing 0.29 violent crimes and 2.14 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Laurel as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Laurel Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Laurel crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Laurel has decreased by 3.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 7.1% and property crime has decreased by 2.7%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Laurel

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Laurel crime rate. The poverty level in Laurel is 30.6%, while the national average is 15.1%.

In Laurel, the cost of living is 19.17% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

In Laurel, the median home price stands at $93,200, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Laurel crime map