When it comes to nightlife and partying in the South, New Orleans is right up there with Miami and Nashville. However, for those considering a move to the city, safety is a top priority. That’s why in this article, we’ll take a closer look at the crime rates and identify the top ten most dangerous neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Is New Orleans Safe?
New Orleans has a relatively high crime rate in comparison to the national average, particularly outside of the tourist areas. With 5,864 incidents per 100,000 people, residents have a 1 in 18 chance of becoming a victim of any crime. The city also has a high rate of violent crime, with over 150 murders per year on average from 2014 to 2022.
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New Orleans
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- Pines Village
- West Lake Forest
- Central City
- Desire
- Saint Claude
- Seventh Ward
- Saint Roch
- Venetian Isles
- Florida Area
- Lower 9th Ward
1. Pines Village
Pines Village, located in New Orleans, is considered to be the most hazardous neighborhood in the area. Despite having a population of only 3,100 people, the crime rate in Pines Village is alarmingly high. In fact, it is 469% higher than the national average and 289% above the state average. Violent crimes are especially common in this area, with shootings and gang violence occurring frequently. Unfortunately, residents of Pines Village have a 1 in 10 chance of falling victim to violent crimes.
2. West Lake Forest
West Lake Forest is a New Orleans neighborhood that is notorious for its high levels of violence. This area is home to a population of 4,200, mostly comprising poor and working-class individuals. Shockingly, the crime rate in West Lake Forest is 423% higher than the national average. The neighborhood was severely impacted by Hurricane Katrina, and despite numerous redevelopment initiatives following the disaster, it continues to be a hazardous part of New Orleans.
3. Central City
With a population of 13,000 residents and a crime rate that is 420% higher than the national average, Central City is known to be one of the most perilous neighborhoods in New Orleans. The area is plagued by violent crime, with gang activity and the drug trade fueling the problem. Located at the lower end of Uptown, just above the New Orleans Central Business district, Central City is notorious for its high crime rate.
4. Desire
Located in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans, the Desire Projects are notorious for their high crime rate. Covering 98.5 acres of land, they are among the largest housing projects in the United States, with almost 1,860 units. Desire is considered one of the most impoverished and underserved areas in New Orleans, with a crime rate that is 383% higher than the national average.
5. Saint Claude
The city of Saint Claude is home to around 6,562 residents and has a high crime rate of 11,087 per 100,000 individuals. This figure is a staggering 373% higher than the national average and 215% higher than the state average of Louisiana. Unfortunately, shootings are a common occurrence in Saint Claude and are often linked to gang-related violence and drug activity. As a result, residents face a 1 in 10 chance of falling victim to any type of crime.
6. Seventh Ward
With a population of 10,552, the Seventh Ward has a higher crime rate of 10,995 per 100,000 compared to the national average, representing a 369% difference. This means that residents have a 1 in 10 chance of falling victim to any type of crime. Poverty has been a persistent problem in the Seventh Ward, with an average annual income of just $21,520.
7. Saint Roch
With a population of 6,398, Saint Roch experiences a crime rate that is 365% above the national average. The area is notorious for its high occurrence of violent crimes, such as murders, robberies, and assaults. Additionally, property crime is a major concern, with car thefts and burglaries being the most common. Unfortunately, residents of Saint Roch do not feel adequately protected by the police, leading to a sense of insecurity and frequent shootings.
8. Venetian Isles
The Venetian Isles, despite its small size, is a hazardous neighborhood in New Orleans. With a population of only 983, its crime rate is 314% higher than the national average and substantially higher than the New Orleans average. Most of the Venetian Isles area is uninhabited as it is separated from the city by miles of undeveloped land.
9. Florida Area
Back in 1994, the Florida Project and the Desire Project were once labeled as the riskiest housing developments in the US. Although the crime situation in the Florida Area has improved slightly since then, the crime rate is still 296% higher than the national average. With a population of slightly more than 1,400 residents, the likelihood of becoming a victim of any kind of crime is 1 in 11.
10. Lower 9th Ward
With a population of 5,560, the Lower 9th Ward boasts a crime rate that is 265% higher than the national average. The Lower 9th Ward is a vast region in New Orleans that encompasses several districts, including Desire and the Lower 9th. The majority of the Lower 9th Ward runs parallel to the Industrial Canal.
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