The 5 Worst and Most Dangerous Areas in New Orleans You Should Avoid

Streetcar in downtown New Orleans, USA at twilight
© f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Written by Eliana Riley

Published: January 15, 2024

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Pubs and bars with neon lights in the French Quarter, New Orleans USA

Discover the most dangerous and worst neighborhoods in New Orleans, Louisiana.

©f11photo/Shutterstock.com

Overview of Crime in New Orleans

New Orleans is certainly not the safest city in the United States, recording a total crime rate between 5,400 and 6,000 crimes per 100,000 people. The crime rate in New Orleans sits 162% higher than the national average.

Of the nearly 21,000 crimes that occur annually in the city, over 5,000 are violent crimes. In fact, the violent crime rate of New Orleans sits at 13.85 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. By comparison, Louisiana’s violent crime rate amounts to 6.81 crimes per 1,000 residents.

Additionally, the chances of becoming a victim of a violent crime in New Orleans are one in 72, and the city is considered safer than only 2% of neighborhoods in the United States. New Orleans averages a high total crime rate due to its many neighborhoods that experience increased criminal activity. All of New Orleans’ five most dangerous neighborhoods record violent crime rates more than 600% higher than the national average.

Treme’-Lafitte

Treme, New Orleans

The most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans is Treme’-Lafitte.

©Infrogmation of New Orleans / CC BY 2.0 - Original / License

Treme’-Lafitte ranks as the most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana. The total crime rate in Treme’-Lafitte sits at approximately 14,686 crimes per 100,000 people. By comparison, the national total crime rate amounts to 2,324 crimes per 100,000 people. Therefore, Treme’-Lafitte’s total crime rate measures 532% higher than the national average.

Additionally, violent crime statistics in Treme’-Lafitte record numbers more than 800% higher than the national average. An estimated 3,406 violent crimes occur for every 100,000 residents. One interesting fact about Treme’-Lafitte is that its violent crime rate exceeds the total average crime rate of the entire United States.

Other factors may contribute to Treme’-Lafitte’s high crime rate. For one, unemployment in this neighborhood stands around 80% higher than the national average at 8.4%. Residents of Treme’-Lafitte record an income per capita of $22,393, which lies 25% lower than the national average. Moreover, the median household income in this area amounts to just below $30,000 per year. Factors like unemployment and low income may contribute to an unstable economic environment, which can lead to increased criminal activity.

Central City

Central City, New Orleans

Visitors and residents of Central City have a one in nine chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

©Infrogmation of New Orleans / CC BY-SA 4.0 - Original / License

Central City is the second-most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans, claiming a total crime rate of 11,553 crimes per 100,000 people. The total crime rate in Central City is nearly 400% greater than the national average. Even more shocking, the violent crime rate in Central City stands 709% higher than the national average.

This neighborhood sees around 2,992 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which, like Treme’ Lafitte, ranks higher than the national average for total crime. Tourists and residents of New Orleans should avoid visiting Central City, as they would have a one in 9 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

Saint Claude

Saint Claude, New Orleans

The total crime rate of Saint Claude is 366% greater than the national average.

©Infrogmation of New Orleans / CC BY-SA 4.0 - Original / License

Saint Claude sees around 10,823 crimes per 100,000 people, making it the third-most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans. The total crime rate in Saint Claude measures 366% greater than the national average. Additionally, violent crime in this neighborhood sits 631% higher than the national average. Around 2,704 violent crimes occur in this neighborhood for every 100,000 people.

Like Treme’ Lafitte, Saint Claude’s low income and high unemployment rate may contribute to its crime statistics. For instance, the median household income in this neighborhood measures only $26,052, which is 53% lower than the national average. The income per capita in Saint Claude sits at $18,720.

Saint Claude’s unemployment rate stands at 7.2%, which is 55% greater than the national average. Other factors, such as housing, education, and transportation, also make Saint Claude a low-scoring neighborhood when compared to other areas of New Orleans.

Seventh Ward

Seventh Ward, New Orleans

The Seventh Ward claims a violent crime rate of 2,868 crimes per 100,000 people.

©Infrogmation of New Orleans / CC BY-SA 4.0 - Original / License

Seventh Ward claims the title of New Orleans’ fourth-most dangerous neighborhood. The total crime rate in this neighborhood sits at around 10,743 crimes per 100,000 people, making the total crime rate 362% higher than the national average.

Seventh Ward’s violent crime rate measures 2,868 crimes per 100,000 people. The violent crime rate of the neighborhood is 676% higher than the national average. Factors that may influence crime in Seventh Ward include low median household income, high unemployment rate, vast difference between male and female earnings, and unaffordable housing.

Saint Roch

St. Rochs, New Orleans

Saint Roch ranks as the fifth-most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans.

©Infrogmation / CC BY 2.5 - Original / License

The fifth and final-most dangerous neighborhood in New Orleans is Saint Roch, which records a total crime rate of 10,402 crimes per 100,000 people. The total crime rate of Saint Roch is 348% higher than the national average.

Additionally, the violent crime rate in this neighborhood sits at 2,877 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, making it 678% greater than the national average for violent crime. Moreover, Saint Roch is considered safer than 0% of cities in Louisiana, and visitors and residents of the neighborhood have a one in 10 chance of becoming a victim of a crime.

The 5 Worst and Most Dangerous Areas in New Orleans: A Summary

RankLocationEstimate of Total Crime per 100,000 ResidentsEstimate of Violent Crime per 100,000 ResidentsTotal Crime Percentage Higher than National AverageViolent Crime Percentage Higher than National Average
#1Treme’-Lafitte14,6863,406532%821%
#2Central City11,5532,992397%709%
#3Saint Claude10,8232,704366%631%
#4Seventh Ward10,7432,868362%676%
#5Saint Roch10,4022,877348%678%


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About the Author

Eliana Riley is a writer at A-Z Animals where her primary focus is on geography, travel, and landmarks. Eliana is a second-year student at Miami University majoring in English Education and Spanish. A resident of Tennessee and Ohio, Eliana enjoys traveling to national and state parks, hiking, kayaking, and camping.

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