Renowned for its varied and vibrant cities, Louisiana is a state in the United States where European and African inspirations blended with French Creole. Still, violence in the state is not absent and is seen, to some degree in bigger cities as New Orleans and Baton Rouge. In case safety is a major consideration when choosing a place of living, one may pick various Louisiana communities with a quite low degree of crime. The author will investigate Louisiana's safe cities and the reasons for their relative security.
The Methodology
We used 2013 FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data to identify Louisiana's safest cities. Cities were ranked in order of Violent Crime per 100,000 population: murder, non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. We also included property crime statistics covering offenses like motor vehicle theft, larceny theft, and burglary. We generated this ranking of the six safest cities in the state as we assessed and contrasted crime statistics.
The Safest Cities in Louisiana
1. Zachary
This small town situated north of Baton Rouge is friendly and represents the safest city in the state of Louisiana. Zachary has no real city life and recorded only 80 violent crimes per 100,000 people by the end of 2021. The property crime rate is also 1,521 per 100,000 people which is again significantly lower than the national average. Their graduation rate, involvement with the community, and some measures put in place about policing make Zachary safe for families.
2. Scott
Scott is located a little to the west of Lafayette and it is the second most secure city in the entire state. As many as 96 violent crimes were recorded per 100,000 residents of this area in 2021. Scott has been experiencing growth in the past few years; however, the police department and other related organizations are engaging in the fight against crime and identifying ways of preventing crimes. It is also in areas with family neighborhoods, quality schools, and economic opportunities that safety and stability are more likely to be attained.
3. Minden
Located in northwestern Louisiana on the border with Arkansas, Minden is the third safest city in the state. There were 104 violent crime incidences per 100,000 people in the year 2021. Minden’s activity is supported by involved residents, thriving shopping areas, and parks and recreation to ensure that youths stay out of mischief. These give support to the fabric of a strong community that tends to prevent many factors that contribute to crimes.
4. Youngsville
Two of the notable suburban areas of Lafayette are still reigning on our list of safest cities and this year Youngsville with a population of about 15,000 people secures the fourth place. Overall, Youngsville recorded 124 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in the year that passed. The commercial and social amenities are fully developed, and the local markets, schools, and other institutions ensure the protection of lives and property.
5. Broussard
The next suburb that is located close to Lafayette is Broussard which is just in the second place after Youngsville. Broussard’s 2021 violent crime rate was 156 per 100,000 residents with 218 violent crimes in total. Low levels of unemployment, high quality of schools and city services, and family-oriented neighborhoods where residents are involved in the protection of society are the factors that make Broussard safe.
6. Welsh
Following the same trend, Welsh is our sixth safest Louisiana city that is located close to Lake Charles in the southwestern part of the state. In the year 1999/2000 the overall violent crime rate in Wales was 167/100,000 persons and within the city limit, it was also 167/100,000 persons. According to local authorities, the factors that have contributed to the creation of safe neighborhoods include; good police community relations, youth mentorship activities, neighborhood events, and adequate public services that meet the needs of the residents.
Key Takeaways
Crime is inevitable everywhere, however, the cities that record the lowest rates of crime include, Zachary, Scott, Minden, Youngsville, Broussard, and Welsh in the state of Louisiana. The areas with a low crime rate are the suburban areas near large cities, small rural towns, municipalities with active and involved residents, and those communities statewide. Some of the other factors include poverty, education levels, employment, housing problems, and the efficiency of police forces in dealing with crimes among others.
If low crime rates are a factor you consider in choosing where your family should live, here are six cities in Louisiana that offer a relatively safe environment. However, every town is specific with its environment, therefore you should investigate the area of the country that is most safe for you and which matches your lifestyle.
