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: 5,635 645 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 148 Property Crime / 100k: 497 chance of being a victim: 1 in 155

Addis proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Louisiana. With only 645 crimes per 100,000 people, Addis has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Louisiana average. This equates to an average of 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 155 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.

Rayne Population: 8,062 915 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 873 chance of being a victim: 1 in 109

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Rayne comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Louisiana with a crime rate of 915 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 70 counts of burglary, 761 counts of theft, 42 counts of vehicle theft, 42 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Rayne, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Harahan Population: 9,293 1,031 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 170 Property Crime / 100k: 861 chance of being a victim: 1 in 97

With a population of 9,293 and a total crime rate of 1,031 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 1,126 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 199 Property Crime / 100k: 927 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 1,126, 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.

Patterson Population: 5,844 1,303 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 651 Property Crime / 100k: 651 chance of being a victim: 1 in 77

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Patterson consistently ranks high in safety. In Patterson, 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 1,303, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Mandeville Population: 12,567 1,525 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 181 Property Crime / 100k: 1,344 chance of being a victim: 1 in 66

Mandeville 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 1,525 crimes per 100,000 people, 87% lower than the Louisiana average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 121 reports of burglary, 1,178 reports of theft, 45 reports of vehicle theft, 166 reports of assault, 8 reports of robbery, 8 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Tallulah Population: 6,722 1,607 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 1,121 Property Crime / 100k: 485 chance of being a victim: 1 in 62

Tallulah ranks as the seventh safest city in Louisiana and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 62 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.26 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. Tallulah’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Louisiana.

DeRidder Population: 10,955 1,954 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 403 Property Crime / 100k: 1,551 chance of being a victim: 1 in 51

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 1,954 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.

Zachary Population: 17,699 2,296 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 349 Property Crime / 100k: 1,947 chance of being a victim: 1 in 44

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Zachary 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 2,296 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 80% lower than the state average.

Westwego Population: 8,411 2,371 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 484 Property Crime / 100k: 1,887 chance of being a victim: 1 in 42

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Louisiana, is Westwego. With a low rate of crime that included 327 burglaries, 1,355 thefts, 206 vehicle thefts, 460 assaults, 24 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% 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	148	497	645
2	Rayne	8,062	42	873	915
3	Harahan	9,293	170	861	1,031
4	Covington	10,471	199	927	1,126
5	Patterson	5,844	651	651	1,303
6	Mandeville	12,567	181	1,344	1,525
7	Tallulah	6,722	1,121	485	1,607
8	DeRidder	10,955	403	1,551	1,954
9	Zachary	17,699	349	1,947	2,296
10	Westwego	8,411	484	1,887	2,371
11	Broussard	12,248	305	2,262	2,567
12	Baker	13,233	545	2,243	2,788
13	Abbeville	12,167	775	2,133	2,908
14	Slidell	27,782	268	2,834	3,103
15	Plaquemine	6,589	810	2,602	3,411
16	Thibodaux	14,565	468	3,007	3,475
17	Lake Charles	77,832	629	3,112	3,742
18	Jennings	9,874	662	3,218	3,880
19	Sulphur	20,122	429	3,713	4,142
20	Gretna	17,746	599	3,624	4,223
21	Walker	6,278	620	3,659	4,279
22	Ponchatoula	7,311	627	3,698	4,325
23	Morgan City	10,963	1,137	3,282	4,418
24	Shreveport	189,890	811	3,790	4,601
25	Ruston	21,987	802	3,802	4,604
26	Lafayette	126,674	479	4,388	4,866
27	Houma	33,053	830	4,081	4,911
28	Bossier City	68,286	1,008	4,669	5,677
29	Bastrop	10,060	1,195	4,585	5,780
30	Bogalusa	11,658	1,377	4,445	5,822
31	New Orleans	391,249	1,444	4,641	6,085
32	Marksville	5,376	1,693	4,976	6,669
33	Baton Rouge	222,191	1,028	5,852	6,880
34	Gonzales	10,932	490	6,838	7,328
35	Hammond	20,557	1,228	6,586	7,814
36	Alexandria	46,545	1,784	6,323	8,106
37	West Monroe	12,431	1,719	6,459	8,178
38	Opelousas	16,687	2,182	6,182	8,364
39	Monroe	47,906	2,737	6,722	9,459

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.