Bay St. Louis, MS Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bay St. Louis, MS

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Bay St. Louis is 53.6% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 18 violent crimes reported in Bay St. Louis, equivalent to 170 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 54%. Additionally, Bay St. Louis recorded 360 property crimes, amounting to 3399 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 73.9%.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Bay St. Louis 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 2 murders in Bay St. Louis, which is 19 murders per 100,000 people.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bay St. Louis?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Bay St. Louis residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 11 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 64% of Bay St. Louis residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 36% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Bay St. Louis a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Bay St. Louis, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Bay St. Louis presents a total crime rate that is 54% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Bay St. Louis experiences an average of 1.04 daily crimes, comprising 0.05 violent incidents and 0.99 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Bay St. Louis 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 Bay St. Louis 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 Bay St. Louis has increased by 14.6% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 21.7% and property crime has increased by 17.3%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bay St. Louis

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Bay St. Louis currently has an unemployment rate of 3.6%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

Bay St. Louis has a population density of 921.5 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Bay St. Louis crime rates.

In Bay St. Louis, the average rental rates are $867 per month, compared to the national average of $949. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.

Bay St. Louis crime map