Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 121,471
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Lafayette, Louisiana Safe?
Lafayette has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Lafayette ranks #21 out of 25 cities in Louisiana and #2887 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 3rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 97% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Lafayette is aggravated assault, at 948.4 per 100K — 2.9x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.7x the national rate.
Year over year, Lafayette's total crime rate decreased by 0.1%, with violent crime rising 30.3%.
Lafayette Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,295 | 1,066.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 18 | 14.8 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 41 | 33.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 84 | 69.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,152 | 948.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,281 | 4,347.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 803 | 661.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 3,921 | 3,227.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 557 | 458.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Lafayette vs Louisiana Average
How does Lafayette's crime rate compare to the Louisiana state average?
| Metric | Lafayette | Louisiana Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 941.0 | +13.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 3,691.6 | +17.8% |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 16.8 | -11.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 4,632.6 | +16.9% |
Lafayette Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Lafayette, Louisiana.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 121,471 | 5,413.6 | 1,066.1 | 4,347.5 |
| 2023 | 121,361 | 5,421.0 | 818.2 | 4,602.8 |
| 2022 | 121,546 | 4,866.5 | 478.8 | 4,387.6 |
| 2021 | 127,010 | 4,055.6 | 485.8 | 3,569.8 |
| 2020 | 126,679 | 5,081.4 | 562.1 | 4,519.3 |
| 2019 | 126,694 | 4,829.8 | 524.9 | 4,304.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette, Louisiana safe?
Lafayette has a safety score of 1/100. With a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Lafayette is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Lafayette, Louisiana?
According to FBI data for 2024, Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,347.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Lafayette compare to the national average?
Lafayette's total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 121,471.
What types of crime are most common in Lafayette?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Lafayette include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Lafayette safe to visit?
Like any city, Lafayette has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.