Violent
Property
Total
Ruston, LA Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 22,259
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Ruston, Louisiana Safe?
Ruston has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Ruston ranks #14 out of 25 cities in Louisiana and #2552 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 14th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 86% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Ruston is murder, at 13.5 per 100K — 2.2x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Ruston's total crime rate decreased by 26.5%, with violent crime declining 33%.
Ruston Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 96 | 431.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 13.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 5 | 22.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 9 | 40.4 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 78 | 350.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 658 | 2,956.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 80 | 359.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 537 | 2,412.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 41 | 184.2 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Ruston vs Louisiana Average
How does Ruston's crime rate compare to the Louisiana state average?
| Metric | Ruston | Louisiana Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 431.3 | 941.0 | -54.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,956.1 | 3,691.6 | -19.9% |
| Murder Rate | 13.5 | 16.8 | -19.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,387.4 | 4,632.6 | -26.9% |
Ruston Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Ruston, Louisiana.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,259 | 3,387.4 | 431.3 | 2,956.1 |
| 2023 | 22,366 | 4,609.7 | 643.8 | 3,965.8 |
| 2022 | 22,435 | 4,604.4 | 802.3 | 3,802.1 |
| 2021 | 21,888 | 3,723.5 | 598.5 | 3,125.0 |
| 2020 | 21,846 | 4,023.6 | 567.6 | 3,456.0 |
| 2019 | 22,148 | 3,440.5 | 383.8 | 3,056.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ruston, Louisiana safe?
Ruston has a safety score of 38/100. With a total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Ruston is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Ruston, Louisiana?
According to FBI data for 2024, Ruston has a violent crime rate of 431.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,956.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Ruston compare to the national average?
Ruston's total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 22,259.
What types of crime are most common in Ruston?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Ruston include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Ruston safe to visit?
Like any city, Ruston has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.