As of 2020, the state of Louisiana had a population of 4,645,318.
The 2020 FBI Uniform Crime Report indicates that the state of Louisiana has, for the 32nd year in a row, experienced the highest per-capita murder rate of all the US states, for the year 2020.
According to the report, there were 15.8 per 100,000 people murdered during that time period.
The report further highlights that during the period between 1989 and 2014, the average murder rate in Louisiana was 13.7 murders per 100,000, while the national average for the same period stood at 6.6 murders per 100,000.
Louisiana has some of the most dangerous cities in the United States and has some of the most violent crime rates in all of the United States.
However, there are some cities that are less prone to crime and we will highlight those cities in this article.
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10 Safest Cities in Louisiana
The following cities in Louisiana have some of the lowest violent crime and property crime rates in the state of Louisiana.
This information was obtained from the 2018 FBI Uniform Crime Report.
This report only focused on cities that had a population larger than 10,000 inhabitants.
Mandeville
The city of Mandeville is located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, south of Interstate 12 and on the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain.
Mandeville has a population of about 12,371.
There are a total of 48 law enforcement employees working in this city, which totals about 3.88 per 1,000 residents.
During this period, a total of 233 crimes were reported, including violent crimes and property crimes.
There were 16 violent crime incidents reported and 217 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 18.83 crimes per 1,000 residents.
To break this down, it totals about 1.29 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 17.54 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Covington
The city of Covington is the parish seat of and is located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana, which sits at the fork of the Bogue Falaya and the Tchefuncte River.
Covington has a population of about 10,658.
There are a total of 40 law enforcement employees working in this city, which totals about 3.75 per 1,000 residents.
There were a total of 253 crimes reported, including violent crimes and property crimes.
There were 30 violent crime incidents reported and 223 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 23.74 crimes per 1,000 residents.
To break this down, it totals about 2.81 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 20.92 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Minden
The city of Minden is a small city, and the parish seat of Webster Parish, Louisiana.
It is located approximately 28 miles east of Shreveport.
Minden has a population of about 12,215.
There are a total of 33 law enforcement employees working in this city, which totals about 2.70 per 1,000 residents.
The city reported a total of 269 crimes for this period, including violent crime and property crime.
There were 18 violent crime incidents reported and 251 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 22.02 crimes per 1,000 residents.
To break this down, it totals about 1.47 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 20.55 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Gretna
The city of Gretna is the parish seat of Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, and the second-largest city in this parish.
It is located on the west bank of the Mississippi River, east of New Orleans.
Gretna has a population of about 17,965.
There are a total of 129 law enforcement employees working in this city, which totals about 7.18 per 1,000 residents.
The city reported a total of 641 crimes for this period, including violent crime and property crime.
There were 86 violent crime incidents reported and 555 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 35.68 crimes per 1,000 residents.
This breaks down to a total of about 4.79 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 30.89 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Abbeville
The city of Abbeville is the parish seat of and is located in Vermilion Parish, Louisiana.
Abbeville has a population of about 12,279 with a total of 33 law enforcement employees, which totals about 2.69 law enforcement per 1,000 residents.
The city reported a total of 330 crimes for this period, including violent crime and property crime.
There were 89 violent crime incidents reported and 241 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 26.88 crimes per 1,000 residents.
This breaks down to a total of about 7.25 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 19.63 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
De Ridder
De Ridder is the parish seat of and is located in Beauregard Parish, Louisiana.
The city has a population of about 10,820 and a total of 30 law enforcement employees working in this city, which totals about 2.77 per 1,000 residents.
A total of 311 crimes were reported, including violent crime and property crime, during this period.
These included 10 violent crime incidents reported and 301 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total to approximately 28.74 crimes per 1,000 residents and break down to about 0.92 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 27.82 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Kenner
The city of Kenner is located in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana has a population of 67,556 and has a total of 229 law enforcement employees working in this city, which totals to about 3.39 per 1,000 residents.
There were a total of 2,195 crimes for this period, including violent crime and property crime.
There were 155 violent crime incidents reported and 2,040 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 32.49 crimes per 1,000 residents.
This breaks down to a total of about 2.29 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 30.20 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Baker
Baker is located in East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana.
Baker has a population of about 13,487 with a total of 31 law enforcement employees working in this city.
This totals to about 2.30 per 1,000 residents.
A total of 379 crimes were reported, including violent crime and property crime, during this period.
These included 44 violent crime incidents reported and 335 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total to approximately 28.10 crimes per 1,000 residents and break down to about 3.26 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 24.48 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Slidell
Slidell is on the northeast shore of Lake Pontchartrain in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana.
The city has a population of about 27,973.
There are a total of 73 law enforcement employees, which totals to about 2.61 per 1,000 residents.
The city reported a total of 902 crimes for this period, of which 87 were violent crimes and 815 were property crimes.
These crimes total approximately 32.25 crimes per 1,000 residents.
This breaks down to a total of about 3.11 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 29.14 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
Thibodaux
Thibodaux is the parish seat and is located in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.
Thibodaux has a population of about 14, 745 with a total of 60 law enforcement employees, which totals to about 4.07 law enforcement per 1,000 residents.
The city reported a total of 602 crimes for this period, including violent crime and property crime.
There were 68 violent crime incidents reported and 534 property crimes reported for this period.
These crimes total approximately 40.83 crimes per 1,000 residents.
This breaks down to a total of about 4.61 violent crimes per 1,000 residents and 36.22 property crimes committed per 1,000 residents.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Louisiana
1. The following safety tips should help keep you safe when traveling to Louisiana.
Before heading out on the road, be sure to do your annual check, even if you have already done this.
This includes checking all liquid levels in the car including brake fluid, coolant, oil, transmission fluid, etc.
Along with this, you should check tire pressure and tire tread.
Check the wipers, windows, brakes, filters, hoses, caps, and belts, to make sure that everything is in running order.
2. Prepare yourself and your family by making sure the first aid box is stocked and packed.
Be sure to pack something to drink and eat for the trip, as well as other essentials such as blankets and pillows.
In addition, pack jumper cables, waterproof matches, travel brochures and maps, and something for entertainment.
3. Make sure all reservations are made in advance and you know the route to the hotel or accommodation.
4. Be sure to track your route and take the safest, shortest distance to your destination.
5. Always alert family members of your traveling plans.
Louisiana Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Louisiana Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: HIGH
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: HIGH
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most dangerous city in Louisiana?
Alexandria is the most dangerous city.
What is the most dangerous crime in Louisiana?
Violent crimes such as murder, homicide, and aggravated assault are the most dangerous crimes in Louisiana.
What is the most fun thing to do in Louisiana?
The Mardi Gras Festival is the most fun thing you could attend in Louisiana.
Louisiana has a high crime rate, particularly in its major cities.
Louisiana has a high crime rate, but there are some safer cities like Mandeville and Covington with lower crime rates.
Wow, I had no idea Louisiana had such safe cities! My family and I are considering a move, so this list is incredibly helpful. Baton Rouge seems like a great option with its low crime rates. Thanks for sharing!