Lafayette, LA, Crime Rate – Latest Statistics

Any city has a tendency for higher crime rates than less populated locations. Considering the Lafayette, LA, crime rate can be useful, whether you live in the area or are visiting there. While plenty of places in Lafayette are perfectly safe, you always want to be as safe as you can.

Crime rates can be considered by reviewing the 2019 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Uniform Crime Reports concerning the state of Louisiana and its cities.

Overall Crime Rates in Lafayette and Louisiana

Lafayette had an overall crime rate of 4,829.0 per 100,000 residents, which combines both property and violent crime rates. This is comparable to the following crime rates:

• Louisiana overall: 3,711.3 per 100,000
• Alexandria: 10,534.0
• Monroe: 7,344.2
• New Orleans: 6,437.3
• Baton Rouge: 6,362.6
• Shreveport: 5,678.8
• Lake Charles: 4,216.8

Property Crimes in Lafayette and Louisiana

Property crimes are of a nonviolent nature. Often, they do not directly involve the victim of the crime. Property is either stolen or damaged in the offense. The FBI considers burglaries to be property crimes, as the victim does not have to be in the building for the offense to occur, while robberies are considered violent crimes.

In Lafayette, the property crime rate is 4,304.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the state of Louisiana’s crime rate of 3,162.0 per 100,000 residents. In Lafayette, this included the following reported number of offenses:

• 1,032 burglaries
• 4,101 offenses of larceny-theft
• 321 motor vehicle theft offenses
• 31 cases of arson

This totaled 5,454 reported offenses in 2019. When looking at the rates of these offenses compared to the state, Lafayette had slightly higher rates in each offense, except arson, which was not reported. The state rate of burglary was 579.0 per 100,000, while Lafayette’s was 814.6. The state has a rate of 2,352.4 cases of larceny-theft, compared to Lafayette’s rate of 3,236.9 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Lafayette’s crime rate is most comparable to that of Shreveport, which had a larger population of 187,556 compared to the Lafayette population of 126,694. The property crime rate in Shreveport is higher, sitting at 4,899.3 per 100,000 residents.

The property crime rate in Alexandria, a much smaller town less than half the size of Lafayette, is 8,964.2 per 100,000, which is more than twice the property crime rate in Lafayette. There were 892 reported burglaries and 3,056 cases of larceny-theft in Alexandria.

New Orleans, the largest city in the state, had a property crime rate of 5,292.5 per 100,000 residents.

Violent Crimes in Lafayette and Louisiana

Violent crimes are offenses committed while the victim is present, and the crime is enacted under the threat of force or fear. The violent crime rate in Lafayette was 524.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, which is slightly lower than the state rate of 549.3 per 100,000. There were 664 reported violent offenses in Lafayette in 2019, including:

• 14 cases of murder or non-negligent manslaughter
• 16 rape offenses
• 148 robberies
• 486 cases of aggravated assault

Lafayette had lower rates of reported crime in each of these areas. The state rate of murders and non-negligent manslaughter was 11.7, very similar to the Lafayette rate of 11.1. Notably, there was a rate of 12.6 cases of rape in Lafayette per 100,000 residents, and the state rate is nearly four times that, with 48.9 cases per 100,000 residents.

The state had a rate of 86.6 robberies per 100,000 residents, compared to a rate of 116.8 in Lafayette. Louisiana aggravated assault rates were 402.1 per 100,000 inhabitants, and Lafayette had a rate of 383.6 per 100,000.

New Orleans had a violent crime rate of 1,144.7, more than twice that of Lafayette. Shreveport’s violent crime rate was 779.5. In Alexandria, the violent crime rate was 1,569.8 per 100,000 residents, which is almost three times more than in Lafayette. The rate in Alexandra includes 575 aggravated assault cases and 132 robberies.

FAQs

Is Lafayette, Louisiana, a Good Place to Live?

Lafayette, Louisiana, is a fantastic place to live, attracting families, students, and professionals in many industries. The vibrant culture, influenced strongly by Cajun and Creole culture, supports the city’s entertainment, food, art, festivals, and many other attractions. Summers are more humid, but most of the year brings mild weather. The city also boasts a relatively low cost of living. Families are often drawn by the fantastic schools in Lafayette.

Is Lafayette Safer Than Baton Rouge?

Yes, based on data collected by the FBI in 2019, Lafayette is safer than Baton Rouge. The overall crime rate in Baton Rouge is 6,362.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to Lafayette’s overall crime rate of 4,829.0 per 100,000 residents. When compared to other cities of a similar size, and to the overall state crime rates, Lafayette’s crime rates are very average. Baton Rouge, in comparison, has one of the highest crime rates out of all the cities in the state.

What Part of Louisiana Has the Lowest Crime Rate?

Smaller towns tend to have lower crime rates, on average, compared to cities in Louisiana, like most places. Some small towns with low crime rates are Addis, Rayne, Harahan, Covington, and Mandeville. However, these locations also have small populations. As of 2019, Kenner, Louisiana, is one of the state’s larger cities with a lower overall crime rate. This crime rate was 3,156.7 per 100,000 residents. The violent crime rate in Kenner is significantly lower than the state’s violent crime rate.

Is Downtown Lafayette Safe?

Lafayette has an average risk of property and violent crime, compared to the state statistics, and a less-than-average risk when compared to other large cities. Any downtown location can have potential risks, so it is always important for residents and visitors alike to be cautious and use common sense to remain safe at more dangerous times. Traveling with friends and informing your loved ones of your plans are important ways to keep safe.

Criminal Defense Attorney in Lafayette

If you have been charged with a crime in Lafayette, Chris Villemarette, Trial Lawyer, wants to help you. Contact our firm today to learn how we can protect your rights.