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D+

Is Ruston, Louisiana Safe?

Population 22,397 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Ruston is a smaller community of 22,397 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 252.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,472 per 100K.

Ruston Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricRustonLouisiana AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate371.0325.6363.8
Property Crime Rate2156.32111.61,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate230.0--268.2
Theft Rate1472.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate300.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

252.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

371/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2156/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ruston

Violent crime in Ruston is close to the national average. The rate of 371.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2156.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,472 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Ruston Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault230
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary300
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,472
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft300
094% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Ruston Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ruston
371.0
State
325.6
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ruston
2156.3
State
2111.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Ruston Safety

Is Ruston safe?
Not especially. Ruston earns a D+ with a crime rate of 252.7 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 Ruston?
252.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 371.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2156.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ruston safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ruston's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,472 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ruston?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ruston generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ruston police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ruston?
Crime rates have held steady in Ruston, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Ruston compare to other cities in Louisiana?
Below average for the state. Ruston ranks behind about 70% of Louisiana cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Ruston to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Ruston?
Bad. A D+ grade and 252.7 per-thousand rate put Ruston below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 371 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ruston?
371.0 per 100,000, which is 2% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (230), robbery (42), and murder (4.0) 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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