See Why Experts Rank This Louisiana City as the State’s Filthiest

You may love Shreveport, LA, for features like its bustling business district with Fortune 500 companies or its almost 200-year-old history. What you probably aren’t so charmed with is the city’s reputation for cleanliness. 

In 2023, Shreveport won the honor of the filthiest Louisiana city. It’s obviously not a flattering label, but what does it mean? Let’s find out. 

The Filthiest Louisiana City 

Lawnstarter ranked the 152 dirtiest American cities in 2023 based on multiple categories, including infrastructure, pollution, and overall living conditions. Too many rats or mice plague some cities; others have terrible air quality. Lack of cleanliness or care can impact many aspects of city life. 

Unfortunately, Lawnstarter’s list ranks Shreveport as the filthiest Louisiana city and the eleventh filthiest in the country. New Orleans, LA, made the list, too, as number 54 out of 152. It’s not a fact that you would include in a New Orleans highlight reel, but it’s a much better standing than Shreveport’s. 

Now, here’s what you need to know about the filthiest Louisiana city, Shreveport. 

Infrastructure

According to the 2021 Transportation Research Nonprofit (TRIP) report, nearly half of Shreveport’s local and state-owned roads are in poor or decrepit condition, while 11% of its bridges are structurally deficient.

These problems come with actual costs for Shreveport residents and tourists.

“The TRIP Report finds that in the Shreveport area, motorists on average are spending an additional $2,135 annually — the cost of driving on rough roads, the value of lost time and fuel due to traffic congestion, and the economic cost of serious and fatal traffic crashes,” explained TRIP Director of Research and Policy Rocky Moretti.

Shreveport traffic, for instance, forces drivers to spend an extra 28 hours per year sitting in their cars. Those hours would qualify as a part-time work week. But instead of working or enjoying yourself, you must drive in traffic. Much of this heavy traffic is due to poor road design and quality rather than the sheer number of people on the road.

The TRIP report also found that about 49 people per year are killed in Shreveport car crashes. The experts believe that the roadways deserve at least some of the blame.

Pollution

Shreveport’s air quality is decent, yet pollution taints its water supply. 

From April to at least August 2023, Shreveport’s water contained more than the allowable limit of trihalomethanes. Trihalomethanes are a byproduct of reactions between organic matter and chlorine. The Shreveport Water and Sewerage Director explained that the problem was born when the city started adding more chlorine to the water after a breakdown in the ozone system at the water treatment plant.

Extended trihalomethane exposure can lead to serious health problems. Short-term exposure may not be too serious, but the problem is one of many afflicting the city’s water. Clean Water Shreveport, a program created by the city, states on its website that the sewer system is deteriorating, undersized, and at risk of corrosion. Sanitary sewer overflows, where raw sewage flows into the streets, have become common. 

Overall Living Conditions 

Shreveport is home to nearly 200,000 residents and millions of animals. These living beings are directly affected by the conditions in Shreveport. That could be why Wallethub named Shreveport one of the country’s worst places to settle down with a family.

In addition to old infrastructure, Shreveport also has a high crime rate. For example, in 2023, Wirepoints determined that the Bossier City-Shreveport area’s murder rate was three times the national average. That’s a number that could scare a potential new resident or tourist. 

Another Wallethub study, this time looking at factors such as well-being and suicide rates, found that Shreveport is the fifth worst city in the country for women. 

Economically, Shreveport is one of the poorest metropolitan areas in the U.S. The average household income is $48,164 per year, significantly less than the national median of  $74,580.

Final Thoughts 

Shreveport is a historic city with Louisiana charm. It’s also Louisiana’s filthiest city. The dual nature can be hard to reconcile, especially if unfamiliar with the area. Shreveport is considered dirty because it has crumbling infrastructure in desperate need of repair, old sewer lines that must be replaced, and a worrying crime rate.

These factors shouldn’t be ignored, but they don’t have to affect your travels or how you live. If you’re in Shreveport, stick to areas where you feel comfortable. And have hope. The city is growing and changing for the better. Clean Water Shreveport, for instance, is dedicated to purifying the city’s water supply and upgrading its sewers. 

In the future, Shreveport may shed its filthy label and become one of Lousiana’s brightest cities.