Is Lake Charles or Minden Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Lake Charles is safer than Minden (Safety Score 18/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100,000 versus 3,330 for Minden — 7% lower. Lake Charles has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Lake Charles has a 39% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 7.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lake Charles — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Minden — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Minden, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Minden | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 3,330.3 | -247.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 796.4 | -183.4 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 27.2 | -10.5 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 27.2 | +25.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 90.5 | -26.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 651.6 | -172.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 2,533.9 | -64.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 633.5 | -20.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 1,773.8 | -122.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 126.7 | +78.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Minden safer?
Lake Charles is safer with a total crime rate of 3,083 per 100K vs 3,330 for Minden — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Minden has 796.4. Lake Charles has lower violent crime.
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.
About Minden, LA
Minden, the "Friendliest City in the South," is a small town in northwest Louisiana. Located in Webster Parish, it boasts a historic downtown district with Victorian architecture. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 11,050, Minden has a total crime rate of 3,330.3 per 100,000 residents.