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C+

Is Opelousas, Louisiana Safe?

Population 15,098 · Safer than 40% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 15,098, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Opelousas earns a C+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,393 per 100K.

Opelousas Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOpelousasLouisiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate230.9325.6363.8
Property Crime Rate1791.22111.61,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate161.0--268.2
Theft Rate1393.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate437.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

202.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

231/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1791/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Opelousas

Violent crime in Opelousas is below the national average. The rate of 230.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1791.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,393 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Opelousas Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault161
060% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery34
054% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary280
01.0x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,393
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft437
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Opelousas Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Opelousas
230.9
State
325.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Opelousas
1791.2
State
2111.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Opelousas Safety

Is Opelousas safe?
It depends on where in Opelousas you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Opelousas?
202.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 230.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1791.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Opelousas safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Opelousas has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Opelousas?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Opelousas generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Opelousas police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Opelousas?
Crime rates have held steady in Opelousas, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C+ grade.
How does Opelousas compare to other cities in Louisiana?
Below average for the state. Opelousas ranks behind about 67% of Louisiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Opelousas to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Opelousas?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 40th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Opelousas?
230.9 per 100,000, which is 37% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (161), robbery (34), and murder (3.0) 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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