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D

Is West Lafayette, Indiana Safe?

Population 45,747 · Safer than 18% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, West Lafayette faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 82% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,757 per 100K.

West Lafayette Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWest LafayetteIndiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate382.0309.2363.8
Property Crime Rate2251.62091.51,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate235.0--268.2
Theft Rate1757.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate196.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

263.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

382/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2252/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for West Lafayette

Violent crime in West Lafayette is close to the national average. The rate of 382.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2251.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,757 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

West Lafayette Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault235
088% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery76
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary296
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,757
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft196
062% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How West Lafayette Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Lafayette
382.0
State
309.2
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

West Lafayette
2251.6
State
2091.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About West Lafayette Safety

Is West Lafayette safe?
Not especially. West Lafayette earns a D with a crime rate of 263.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in West Lafayette?
263.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 382.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2251.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is West Lafayette safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. West Lafayette's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,757 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in West Lafayette?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in West Lafayette generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the West Lafayette police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in West Lafayette?
No. Crime in West Lafayette has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does West Lafayette compare to other cities in Indiana?
Below average for the state. West Lafayette ranks behind about 80% of Indiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is West Lafayette to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in West Lafayette?
Bad. A D grade and 263.4 per-thousand rate put West Lafayette below 82% of US cities. Violent crime at 382 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in West Lafayette?
382.0 per 100,000, which is 5% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (235), robbery (76), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Indiana

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View all Indiana city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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