Is New Orleans Safe?
Statistically speaking, New Orleans is a relatively dangerous city outside of a few tourist areas. The crime rate is 5,864 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 150% higher than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 18 chance of becoming victims of any crime. Violent crime in New Orleans is also quite high, with murders averaging over 150 per year from 2014 to 2022.
10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New Orleans
- Pines Village
- West Lake Forest
- Central City
- Desire
- Saint Claude
- Seventh Ward
- Saint Roch
- Venetian Isles
- Florida Area
- Lower 9th Ward
1. Pines Village
The most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans is Pines Village. With a population of 3,100, Pines Village has a crime rate that is 469% above the national average and 289% above the state average. Pines Village has a particularly bad violent crime rate, with shootings and gang violence being common. Overall, residents have a 1 in 10 chance of being the victims of a violent crime.
2. West Lake Forest
Another violent New Orleans neighborhood is West Lake Forest. This area has a population of 4,200 and is known for being mainly poor and working class. The overall crime rate is 423% higher than the national average. West Lake Forest was greatly affected by Hurricane Katrina; after several re-development projects following the storm West Lake Forest has slightly improved but still remains a dangerous part of New Orleans.
3. Central City
Central City is another one of the most dangerous New Orleans neighborhoods. It has a population of 13,000 residents and a crime rate that is 420% higher than the national average. Violent crime alone is extremely high, with gang activity and the drug trade being contributing factors. Central City is located at the lower end of Uptown, which is just above the New Orleans Central Business district.
4. Desire
The Desire Projects are another one of the worst parts of New Orleans for crime. They are located in the Ninth Ward of New Orleans and are some of the largest housing projects in the United States, containing almost 1,860 units across 98.5 acres of land. Desire is known as one of the poorest and most underserved parts of New Orleans. The overall crime rate is 383% higher than the national average.
5. Saint Claude
Saint Claude has a population of 6,562 and a crime rate of 11,087 per 100,000 people, which is 373% higher than the national average and 215% higher than the Louisiana state average. Shootings are common in Saint Claude and are often related to gang violence and drug activity. Residents have a 1 in 10 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime.
6. Seventh Ward
The Seventh Ward has a population of 10,552 and a crime rate of 10,995 per 100,000 which is 369% higher than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 10 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime. The Seventh Ward has long had problems stemming from poverty; the average annual income in this neighborhood is just $21,520.
7. Saint Roch
Saint Roch has a population of 6,398 and a crime rate that is 365% higher than the national average. Saint Roch has a high concentration of violent crimes such as murders, robberies, and assaults. Property crime is even higher, with the most common types being car thefts and burglaries. Residents do not feel protected by the police in this area, and shootings as common.
8. Venetian Isles
Venetian Isles is a small but dangerous New Orleans neighborhood. It has a population of just 983 but a crime rate that is 314% higher than the national average and much higher than the New Orleans average. Due to being separated from the city by miles of undeveloped land, most of Venetian Isles neighborhood is uninhabited.
9. Florida Area
In 1994 the Florida Project and the Desire Project were named the most dangerous housing developments in the United States. Crime in the Florida Area has calmed down a bit since then, but crime is still 296% higher than the national average. With a population of just over 1,400 residents, have a 1 in 11 chance of becoming the victim of any type of crime.
10. Lower 9th Ward
Lower 9th Ward has a population of 5,560 and a crime rate that is 265% higher than the national average. The 9th Ward is a massive area of New Orleans comprising of several districts, including Desire and the Lower 9th. Most of the Lower 9th Ward goes along the Industrial Canal.
Most Dangerous Areas in New Orleans Bottom Line
Despite being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country, New Orleans remains a hot spot for gang activity and violent crime. Therefore, knowing your surroundings and using common sense is crucial when visiting or living in New Orleans. Fortunately, there are still pockets of safety around the city, and some neighborhoods have begun to gentrify.