Is Lake Charles or Zachary Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Zachary is safer than Lake Charles (Safety Score 31/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,358 per 100,000 versus 3,083 for Lake Charles — 24% lower. Lake Charles has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Zachary has a 70% lower rate.
Note: Lake Charles is 3.9x 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
Zachary — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lake Charles, LA
Zachary, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lake Charles | Zachary | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,082.8 | 2,358.3 | +724.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 613.0 | 337.6 | +275.4 |
| Murder Rate | 16.7 | 5.0 | +11.7 |
| Rape Rate | 52.6 | 19.9 | +32.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 64.1 | 24.8 | +39.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 479.6 | 283.0 | +196.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,469.8 | 2,020.7 | +449.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 613.0 | 268.1 | +344.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,651.7 | 1,534.1 | +117.6 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 205.2 | 218.5 | -13.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Charles or Zachary safer?
Zachary is safer with a total crime rate of 2,358 per 100K vs 3,083 for Lake Charles — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lake Charles has a violent crime rate of 613.0 per 100K while Zachary has 337.6. Zachary 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 Zachary, LA
Zachary, Louisiana, a city north of Baton Rouge, boasts a rich railroad history and a growing suburban population. Once a vital stop on the Illinois Central Railroad, it is now home to over 19,000 residents. With a safety score of 31/100 and a population coverage of 20,142, Zachary has a total crime rate of 2,358.3 per 100,000 residents.