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D+

Is Laurel, Mississippi Safe?

Population 17,662 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Laurel is a smaller community of 17,662 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 248.5 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,653 per 100K.

Laurel Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLaurelMississippi AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate364.2309.8363.8
Property Crime Rate2121.11996.61,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate259.0--268.2
Theft Rate1653.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate449.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

248.5 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

364/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2121/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Laurel

Violent crime in Laurel is close to the national average. The rate of 364.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2121.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,653 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Laurel Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault259
097% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery80
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary336
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,653
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft449
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Laurel Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Laurel
364.2
State
309.8
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Laurel
2121.1
State
1996.6
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Laurel Safety

Is Laurel safe?
Not especially. Laurel earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.5 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 Laurel?
248.5 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 364.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2121.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Laurel safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Laurel's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,653 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Laurel?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Laurel generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Laurel police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Laurel?
Crime rates have held steady in Laurel, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Laurel compare to other cities in Mississippi?
Below average for the state. Laurel ranks behind about 82% of Mississippi cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Laurel 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 Laurel?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.5 per-thousand rate put Laurel below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 364 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Laurel?
364.2 per 100,000, which is 0% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (259), robbery (80), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Mississippi

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View all Mississippi 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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