Louisiana is a true Southern state and it’s the 25th largest state in the country, in terms of population. Home to one of the nation’s most popular destinations, New Orleans, Louisiana is rich in flora and fauna and enjoys warm temperatures year-round. The crime index in Louisiana is 46 percent higher than the national average, so crime can be a problem here. Out of the top 10 largest cities in Louisiana, which are the safest?
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1. Metairie
Metairie is part of the New Orleans metro area and, though strictly speaking not a city (it’s a census-designated place), it is the safest city in Louisiana. The crime index is 53 percent lower than the state average, at 2,128.
2. Kenner
The sixth largest city in Louisiana is also the second safest place to live in the state. Kenner is home to around 66,000 people, and it’s a suburb of New Orleans. At 4,108 the crime index is 11 percent below state average. The historic Rivertown district is a popular part of the city.
3. Bossier City
Just across the Red River from its sister city, Shreveport, in Northern Louisiana, is Bossier City. Bossier City comes in as the third safest city in Louisiana – the crime index is 4,243, and that’s 8 percent below state average. Bossier City has a population around 61,000 so it’s the eighth largest city.
4. Lake Charles, LA
As the name suggests, this city is set on Lake Charles in the southwest of Louisiana. Lake Charles was originally founded with the name Charleston though changed to its current name in 1867. With a crime index of 4,790 (3 percent above state average), Lake Charles is the fourth safest city in Louisiana.
5. New Orleans
The state’s largest city, New Orleans, has a reputation for crime so it’s somewhat surprising that its crime rate is only 4 percent above the state average, and that The Big Easy is the fifth safest city in Louisiana! Most of the violent crime is confined to certain parts of New Orleans, leaving the majority of this vibrant city relatively trouble free.
6. Shreveport, Louisiana
Shreveport is the third largest city in Louisiana, and the sixth safest. The crime index here is 19 percent above the state average, at 5,533. Set across the Red River from Bossier City – the number 3 city on our list – Shreveport is home to around 200,000 people, and was recently ranked as one of the saddest cities in the nation.
7. Lafayette
In southwestern Louisiana is the city of Lafayette; the nation’s center for Cajun culture. Lafayette is the fourth largest city in the state, home to around 120,000 people and a bustling tourism industry. It’s the seventh safest city in Louisiana, with a crime index of 6,041 which is 30 percent above state average.
8. Baton Rouge
The crime index in Baton Rouge is 41 percent above state average, making this the eighth safest city in Louisiana. Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, and the second largest city in the state. Its name means ‘red stick’ and dates from 1699.
9. Alexandria
Located right in the center of Louisiana is the city of Alexandria. It’s the tenth largest city in the state, with around 47,000 residents, and has many parks and recreational opportunities on the banks of Red River. Alexandria is ranked ninth safest city in Louisiana – the crime index is 8,744 and that’s 89 percent above state average.
10. Monroe
The city of Monroe is the least safe city in Louisiana. Its crime index is 108 percent above the state average, and considering Louisiana’s crime index is 46 percent above national average, that’s saying something! Monroe is in the northeast of Louisiana and has a reputation for both high levels of crime and poverty, ranking among the worst cities in the U.S.
Image Sources: Wikipedia
