Covington, LA Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Covington, LA

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 Covington is 51.5% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 23 violent crimes reported in Covington, equivalent to 199 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 46.1%. Additionally, Covington recorded 107 property crimes, amounting to 927 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 52.6%.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Covington 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 Covington, which is 17 murders per 100,000 people.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Covington?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Covington. Based on the results of the surveys (13 responses), 85% of people felt that there was very little crime in Covington and felt safe walking alone at night. While 15% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Covington a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Covington, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Covington presents a total crime rate that is 52% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Covington experiences an average of 0.36 daily crimes, comprising 0.06 violent incidents and 0.29 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Potential Causes for Crime in Covington

In Covington, the poverty rate currently stands at 10.4%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Covington crime rates.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Covington crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Covington has an unemployment rate of 1.8%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

In Covington, the cost of living is 0.73% higher 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.

Covington crime map