Violent
Property
Total
Laurel, MS Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 16,922
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Laurel, Mississippi Safe?
Laurel has a safety score of 12/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Laurel ranks #22 out of 23 cities in Mississippi and #2853 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 4th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 96% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Laurel is murder, at 23.6 per 100K — 3.8x the national average.
Year over year, Laurel's total crime rate decreased by 18.5%, with violent crime rising 3.5%.
Laurel Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 178 | 1,051.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 23.6 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 17 | 100.5 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 16 | 94.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 141 | 833.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 641 | 3,788.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 121 | 715.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 457 | 2,700.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 63 | 372.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Laurel vs Mississippi Average
How does Laurel's crime rate compare to the Mississippi state average?
| Metric | Laurel | Mississippi Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,051.9 | 242.6 | +333.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,788.0 | 2,093.9 | +80.9% |
| Murder Rate | 23.6 | 7.9 | +200.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 4,839.9 | 2,336.5 | +107.1% |
Laurel Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Laurel, Mississippi.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 16,922 | 4,839.9 | 1,051.9 | 3,788.0 |
| 2023 | 17,025 | 5,938.3 | 1,016.2 | 4,922.2 |
| 2022 | 17,066 | 5,197.5 | 615.3 | 4,582.2 |
| 2021 | 18,165 | 5,147.3 | 671.6 | 4,475.6 |
| 2020 | 18,317 | 4,416.7 | 731.6 | 3,685.1 |
| 2019 | 18,471 | 5,007.9 | 676.7 | 4,331.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laurel, Mississippi safe?
Laurel has a safety score of 12/100. With a total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Laurel is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Laurel, Mississippi?
According to FBI data for 2024, Laurel has a violent crime rate of 1,051.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 3,788.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Laurel compare to the national average?
Laurel's total crime rate of 4,839.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 16,922.
What types of crime are most common in Laurel?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Laurel include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Laurel safe to visit?
Like any city, Laurel has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 12/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.