Is Bogalusa or Lake Charles Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Bogalusa (Safety Score 18/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 5,345 for Bogalusa — 42% lower. Bogalusa has higher rates in 2 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Bogalusa has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 7.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bogalusa — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bogalusa, LA
Lake Charles, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bogalusa | Lake Charles | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,345.3 | 3,082.8 | +2,262.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,131.5 | 613.0 | +518.5 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 16.7 | -6.9 |
| Rape Rate | 87.8 | 52.6 | +35.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 29.3 | 64.1 | -34.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 1,004.7 | 479.6 | +525.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,213.8 | 2,469.8 | +1,744.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 858.4 | 613.0 | +245.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,023.8 | 1,651.7 | +1,372.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 331.6 | 205.2 | +126.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bogalusa or Lake Charles safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 5,345 for Bogalusa — a 42% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bogalusa has a violent crime rate of 1,131.5 per 100K while Lake Charles has 613.0. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
About Bogalusa, LA
Bogalusa, Louisiana, a city founded as a sawmill town, sits along the Pearl River in Washington Parish. Its population is predominantly African American and faces significant economic challenges. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 10,252, Bogalusa has a total crime rate of 5,345.3 per 100,000 residents.
About Lake Charles, LA
Lake Charles, a port city in southwest Louisiana, is known for its Cajun and Creole culture. It sits on Lake Charles and the Calcasieu River, a hub for the petrochemical industry. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 77,982, Lake Charles has a total crime rate of 3,082.8 per 100,000 residents.