CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C-

Is Lake Charles, Louisiana Safe?

Population 82,676 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

A C- grade for Lake Charles means there's room for concern. The 235.2 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,697 per 100K.

Lake Charles Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLake CharlesLouisiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate298.8325.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2053.42111.61,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate174.0--268.2
Theft Rate1697.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate270.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

235.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

299/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2053/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lake Charles

Violent crime in Lake Charles is below the national average. The rate of 298.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2053.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,697 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lake Charles Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault174
065% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary242
090% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,697
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft270
085% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lake Charles Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Charles
298.8
State
325.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lake Charles
2053.4
State
2111.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Charles Safety

Is Lake Charles safe?
Not especially. Lake Charles earns a C- with a crime rate of 235.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Lake Charles?
235.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 298.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2053.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lake Charles safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lake Charles's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,697 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lake Charles?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lake Charles generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lake Charles police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lake Charles?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Lake Charles's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C- grade overall.
How does Lake Charles compare to other cities in Louisiana?
Below average for the state. Lake Charles ranks behind about 71% of Louisiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Lake Charles to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Lake Charles?
Bad. A C- grade and 235.2 per-thousand rate put Lake Charles below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 299 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lake Charles?
298.8 per 100,000, which is 18% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (174), robbery (42), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Louisiana

Similar-sized communities in Louisiana. Compare crime rates across the state.

D-
See crime rates in St. George78,536 pop · Grade D-
D
See crime rates in Kenner65,136 pop · Grade D
D-
See crime rates in Bossier City63,259 pop · Grade D-
D-
See crime rates in Monroe46,860 pop · Grade D-
D+
See crime rates in Alexandria42,938 pop · Grade D+
C
See crime rates in Central30,313 pop · Grade C
View all Louisiana city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Lake Charles

Get weekly safety updates for Lake Charles

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities