The Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in New Orleans: 2022's Ultimate List
If you are not familiar with New Orleans, this city can be dangerous. Of course, just like any other city in the world, New Orleans has safe areas and unsafe areas. However, the difference is that the dangerous areas in The Big Easy are spread out all over the city.
The truth is, your safety in New Orleans depends on many factors. Choosing the right place and the right time place, as well as how you carry yourself, plays a huge part in how dangerous the state is going to be for you.
Related Content: Safest Neighborhoods In New Orleans | Cost Of Living In New Orleans | Pros And Cons Of Living In Louisiana | Cost Of Living In Louisiana
Do You Need to Hire Movers?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Areas in New Orleans
Rank | Neighborhood | Violent Crimes per 100k People | Crime Rate vs. New Orleans |
1 | Central City | 2,528 crimes | 121% higher |
2 | Saint Roch | 2,431 crimes | 112% higher |
3 | Seventh Ward | 2,424 crimes | 112% higher |
4 | Florida | 2,347 crimes | 105% higher |
5 | Saint Claude | 2,285 crimes | 100% higher |
6 | Pines Village | 2,160 crimes | 89% higher |
7 | West Lake Forest | 1,984 crimes | 73% higher |
8 | Lower 9th Ward | 1,879 crimes | 64% higher |
9 | Desire | 1,832 crimes | 60% higher |
10 | Viavant-Venetian Isles | 1,832 crimes | 60% higher |
When it comes to the most dangerous neighborhoods, the gang violence throughout the city where there have been shootings and homicides has continuously increased. Check out the list below for the neighborhoods that have a remarkably bad reputation for significant spikes in New Orleans’ crime rate.
1. Central City
- Population: 11,075
- Median Household Income: $47,804.00
- Median Home Price: $246,315
The first on our list is Central City, which remains to be one of the preserved, historically black neighborhoods in the state. And while it has started to slowly transition in character as gentrification is done in pockets of the neighborhood, it remains to be one of the dangerous places in New Orleans.
Compared to the national average, the overall crime in Central City is 93% higher. About 15-16 crimes occurred daily in Central City for every 100,000 people. Your chance of becoming a victim of a crime here is one in 19.
Criminal groups such as Young Melph Mafia Dooney Boys, 39ers Gang, and Byrd Gang have been known to operate out of Central City. Fortunately, however, the number of annual crimes in this part of the city is continually decreasing.
2. Saint Roch
- Population: 6,575
- Median Household Income: $47,889.51
- Median Home Price: $237,225
The next on our list is Saint Roch. There are about 1 in 4 children grow up in poverty in the US. In Saint Roch, on the other hand, almost 3 out of 4 children grow up in poverty.
Furthermore, the income among the residents in this neighborhood is below 98.3% of the country. You also don’t want to be caught in the dark in this neighborhood if you care about your safety.
While the city is doing its best to prevent crimes from happening in this neighborhood, the amount of crime hasn’t even slightly reduced. A lot of people don’t let their kids play around this neighborhood due to the amount of violence taking place here.
The lack of police force in this area might be one of the reasons for the rampant crime. Seeing police around the area is not quite common.
3. Seventh Ward
- Population: 9,651
- Median Household Income: $36,088.00
- Median Home Price: $167,100
The Seventh Ward neighborhood probably had the highest concentration of murders in the city in 2019. And for a neighborhood with an average household income of $33,205 – by US standards – this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
When a living wage is difficult to come by, people are more likely to do extra to get by, regardless if it’s legal or not. The neighborhood of Seventh Ward shows to have very high-risk crime, poor transportation, poor social services and educations, and poor employment opportunities.
It also doesn’t help that the Seventh District is the largest geographic district in the city with a population of about 85,000. There are only 91 commissioned officers in the area, which is most officers assigned in a New Orleans neighborhood, yet it still not enough.
4. Florida
- Population: 1,302
- Median Household Income: $38,423
- Median Home Price: $210,091
Florida neighborhood is another New Orleans neighborhood notorious for having one of the highest crime rates in the city. With a total crime rate that is 296% more than the national average, this neighborhood has crime statistics that worse than almost anywhere else in the US.
The local government is still doing its best to control the rampant crime in the city. Unfortunately, there hasn’t been an improvement because murders, theft, and assault are still a common occurrence here.
5. Saint Claude
- Population: 3,454
- Median Household Income: $39,576
- Median Home Price: $169,190
Located just above the Bywater, Saint Claude is also a part of the Upper 9th Ward. This part of the city sees more robberies, assaults, burglaries, and thefts than the national average. So, when moving or just visiting New Orleans, this is a place you may want to avoid.
Not only the higher crime rate is what people living in St. Claude are constantly watching out for. The area is also prone to flooding due to hurricanes.
Don’t Want to Read the Whole List? Watch this Video!
6. Pines Village
- Population: 3,410
- Median Household Income: $39,387
- Median Home Price: $120,536
Located at the far western edge of Planning District Nine, Pines Village neighborhood is another place known for its crimes. Many homebuyers and tourists try to not end up being in this area for very apparent reason.
It seems like every week the neighborhood gets new cases or murder or homicide. The lack of police force in the area and poorly lit streets play a part in why crimes are proliferating in the area.
Aside from the crime, this area is also prone to flooding due to hurricanes or heavy rain.
7. West Lake Forest
- Population: 4,015
- Median Household Income: $25,358
- Median Home Price: $134,905
The police force in the West Lake Forest neighborhood is frequently understaffed, making response times longer. So, it’s not really surprising that this area gets a lot of crimes.
Shootings, robberies, and assaults are a common occurrence in this area. And while the city government is working hard to change what’s going on in this neighborhood, it still has a long way to go.
8. Lower 9th Ward
- Population: 2,842
- Median Household Income: $25,937
- Median Home Price: $122,680
Another crime-ridden neighborhood in New Orleans is the Lower 9th Ward. Drug abuse, poverty, and gang-related crimes grew in this neighborhood.
Still, a lot of locals were proud of the Lower 9th Ward for its interesting traditions and high rate of Black homeownership. While the crime here is not as bad compared to the crime you may encounter in the inner city, crimes like theft and robberies still occur.
9. Desire
- Population: 2,005
- Median Household Income: $39,576
- Median Home Price: $178,700
Another one on our list is the neighborhood of Desire. This neighborhood is one of the most crime-ridden areas in the city. Desire also takes the title of one of the worst neighborhoods to live in New Orleans.
While mass demolition and other efforts significantly reduced the crime occurring in the neighborhood, it’s still considered one of the most dangerous areas to be in New Orleans. For its appalling condition, it was known among locals as the “Dirty D”.
10. Viavant-Venetian Isles
- Population: 840
- Median Household Income: $20,595
- Median Home Price: $119,284
The last on our list is Viavant-Venetian Isles. Legally a part of the city, Venetian Isles is separated from the majority of the developed part of the city by miles of undeveloped land.
This area also suffers from a high crime rate. The violent crime in this part of the city is 383% higher than the national average and your chance of becoming a victim when here is 1 in 10.
Is it Dangerous to Live in New Orleans?
Based on recent crime data, the violent crime rate in New Orleans is a lot more times above compared to the national average. On top of this, the overall crime rate is also considerably higher.
With a crime rate of 59 per one thousand people, the city has one of the highest crime rates in the US compared to all communities of all sizes. Your chance of becoming a victim of a crime here is one in 17.
Compared to the rest of Louisiana, New Orleans is more dangerous than 91% of all the communities. In fact, New Orleans is consistently included in the top 100 most dangerous cities in the US.
Within the first six months of 2020, the city had already exceeded the number of homicide cases that occurred in the previous year with 121 cases of murder.
So, to answer the question, YES. New Orleans can be dangerous, especially if you find yourself in the wrong neighborhood.
New Orleans Crime Rate
Violent | Property | Total | |
Number of Crimes | 4,626 | 18,263 | 22,889 |
Crime Rate (per 1,000 residents) | 11.83 | 46.71 | 58.54 |
New Orleans Violent Crimes
Population: 391,006
Murder | Rape | Robbery | Assault | |
Report Total | 147 | 681 | 1,220 | 2,578 |
Rate per 1,000 | 0.38 | 1.74 | 3.12 | 6.59 |
The United States Violent Crimes
Population: 327,167,434
Murder | Rape | Robbery | Assault | |
Report Total | 16,214 | 139,380 | 282,061 | 807,410 |
Rate per 1,000 | 0.05 | 0.43 | 0.86 | 2.47 |
New Orleans Property Crimes
Population: 391,006
Burglary | Theft | Motor Vehicle Theft | |
Report Total | 2,056 | 13,203 | 3,004 |
Rate per 1,000 | 5.26 | 33.77 | 7.68 |
The United States Property Crimes
Population: 327,167,434
Burglary | Theft | Motor Vehicle Theft | |
Report Total | 1,230,149 | 5,217,055 | 748,841 |
Rate per 1,000 | 3.76 | 15.95 | 2.29 |
Best Neighborhoods in New Orleans
Even after reading the information and data above, you should not be discouraged to go to even live in New Orleans. The city has a lot to offer and many places are actually safe. Here are the 7 best neighborhoods in New Orleans.
Rank | Neighborhood | Violent Crimes per 100k People | Crime Rate vs. New Orleans |
1 | Lake Shore-Lake Vista | 1,338 | 46% lower |
2 | Audubon | 1,945 | 22% lower |
3 | West End | 2,159 | 13% lower |
4 | Gentilly Woods | 2,479 | 0% lower |
5 | Uptown | 2,647 | 6% higher |
6 | Lakeview | 2,641 | 6% higher |
7 | Old Aurora | 2,667 | 7% higher |
1. Lake Shore-Lake Vista
Lake Vista is a premier neighborhood in New Orleans. This area is boarded by Lake Pontchartrain to the north, Robert E. Lee Boulevard to the south, Bayou St. John to the east, and Lake Pontchartrain to the north. Lake Vista is known for its bird street names and homes facing a lane or sidewalk, rather than a street.
2. Audubon
The relaxing neighborhood of Audubon focuses on Audubon Park, which has jogging and bike trails, an 18-hole golf course, as well as shaded picnic spots surrounded by soaring oak trees. If you are coming here as a family, you’ll surely enjoy the exotic animals at the zoo and diverse waterbirds in Audubon Park Lagoon. The neighborhood also has Upscale restaurants and elegant mansions line the peaceful streets around Tulane and Loyola universities.
3. West End
West End is known as one of the best and safest neighborhoods in New Orleans to raise a family. Even though it’s a little bit further from city life, many people still choose to live here due to the lower cost of living. This neighborhood offers a suburban feel and good k-8 education.
4. Gentilly Woods
If you are thinking about moving to New Orleans and raise a family, there’s no better place to live than Gentilly Woods. This neighborhood offers a suburban vibe and a friendly community that genuinely cares for each other. This area is marked with lush yards, bungalow houses, and of course, a low crime rate.
5. Uptown
Uptown is a vibrant area known for the gorgeous oak trees surrounding it. This upscale area in New Orleans is one of the safest neighborhoods with its low crime rate. The area is not only safe and beautiful, but it’s also close to many schools, shopping areas, restaurants, bars, and hotels.
6. Lakeview
Lakeview is another neighborhood that is worth checking out when looking for a safe place in New Orleans. This area is filled with seafood restaurants, marinas, and sailboats. This neighborhood is located beside City Park, which means you can wander the paths of the Besthoff Sculpture Garden, part of the New Orleans Museum of Art, or visit Storyland, a beloved family amusement park.
7. Old Aurora
Hidden within the Algiers district, friendly neighbors and historic bungalows make Old Aurora one of the best places to live in the city! Just around the Mississippi River from the French Quarter, the Algiers Point ferry gives quick access to the center of the city. Walking around here, you will fall in low with Victorian architecture and stunning views of Downtown New Orleans.
Do You Need to Hire Movers?
Get free, zero-commitment quotes from pro contractors near you.
Is Mid-City Safe?
If you’re planning a visit or considering moving to New Orleans, you probably have Mid-City on your list. But is it a safe neighborhood?
The neighborhood of Mid-City is always alive with people walking their dogs, jogging to the park, and busy people running their errands. But even with the busy vibe going on, this neighborhood remains a relatively quiet area in New Orleans.
The crime rate in this area is 195% higher than the national average. And while we all wish for its crime rate to go down, you’ll still feel comfortable safe walking around here particularly in the daytime.
However, keep in mind that the Mid-City neighborhood has a pretty well-known group of youth bike, bicycle, moped, and car thieves. This is not likely to happen to everyone, but being vigilant and aware of your surroundings will be very beneficial.
Related Questions
Is New Orleans safe?
New Orleans is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. Residents and tourists risk a 1 in 86 chance of violent crime and 1 in 18 chance of property crime in New Orleans. There are 114 crimes per square mile in New Orleans.
Does New Orleans have beaches?
New Orleans does not have beaches in the city, but there are several within driving distance. The closest one is Lake Pontchartrain Beach, and it is only 30 minutes from New Orleans. Other beaches near New Orleans include Pensacola Beach, Biloxi Beach, and Gulfport.
Related Guides About New Orleans
Coming from a family of woodcarvers, Cyril has always been fascinated with wooden interiors and home decorating. While she followed the path of writing as her career, her interests in home improvements still remain.
More by Cyril Balahadia
