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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Opelousas, LA has a Safety Score of 1/100 — higher crime than 99% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 6,401.1 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,933 of 2,971 US cities and #22 of 25 in Louisiana.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Opelousas, Louisiana Safe?
Opelousas, Louisiana, the third-oldest city in the state, is a hub of Creole culture in St. Landry Parish. Situated in south-central Louisiana, it reflects a rich agricultural heritage.
Opelousas has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 6,401.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Opelousas ranks #22 out of 25 cities in Louisiana and #2933 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 1st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 99% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Opelousas is murder, at 39.3 per 100K — 6.3x the national average.
Year over year, Opelousas's total crime rate decreased by 14%, with violent crime declining 17.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Opelousas Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 211 | 1,382.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 6 | 39.3 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 7 | 45.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 16 | 104.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 180 | 1,179.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 766 | 5,018.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 120 | 786.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 596 | 3,904.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 50 | 327.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Opelousas vs Louisiana Average
How does Opelousas's crime rate compare to the Louisiana state average?
| Metric | Opelousas | Louisiana Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,382.4 | 941.0 | +46.9% |
| Property Crime Rate | 5,018.7 | 3,691.6 | +35.9% |
| Murder Rate | 39.3 | 16.8 | +133.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 6,401.1 | 4,632.6 | +38.2% |
Opelousas Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Opelousas, Louisiana.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 15,263 | 6,401.1 | 1,382.4 | 5,018.7 |
| 2023 | 15,358 | 7,442.4 | 1,679.9 | 5,762.5 |
| 2022 | 15,447 | 8,357.6 | 2,181.7 | 6,176.0 |
| 2021 | 15,457 | 8,429.8 | 1,882.6 | 6,547.2 |
| 2020 | 15,820 | 8,944.4 | 2,370.4 | 6,574.0 |
| 2019 | 16,049 | 10,474.2 | 2,455.0 | 8,019.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opelousas, Louisiana safe?
Opelousas has a safety score of 1/100, meaning it has less crime than about 1% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 6,401.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Opelousas is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Opelousas, Louisiana?
According to FBI data for 2024, Opelousas has a violent crime rate of 1,382.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 5,018.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Opelousas compare to the national average?
Opelousas's total crime rate of 6,401.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 15,263 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Opelousas?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Opelousas include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Opelousas safe to visit?
Like any city, Opelousas 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.