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C

Is Central, Louisiana Safe?

Population 30,313 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Central is a smaller community of 30,313 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 221.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,356 per 100K.

Central Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCentralLouisiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate336.9325.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1875.52111.61,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate192.0--268.2
Theft Rate1356.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate311.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

221.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

337/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1876/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Central

Violent crime in Central is close to the national average. The rate of 336.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1875.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,356 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Central Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault192
072% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery46
073% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary323
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,356
097% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft311
098% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Central Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Central
336.9
State
325.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Central
1875.5
State
2111.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Central Safety

Is Central safe?
Not especially. Central earns a C with a crime rate of 221.2 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 Central?
221.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 336.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1875.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Central safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Central's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,356 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Central?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Central generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Central police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Central?
Crime rates have held steady in Central, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Central compare to other cities in Louisiana?
Below average for the state. Central ranks behind about 63% of Louisiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Central to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Central?
Bad. A C grade and 221.2 per-thousand rate put Central below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 337 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Central?
336.9 per 100,000, which is 7% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (192), robbery (46), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all Louisiana 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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