The Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods to Avoid in New Orleans

New Orleans is a city renowned for its vibrant culture and history, but like any urban area, it has neighborhoods that are best avoided due to high crime rates. Here are the 10 neighborhoods in New Orleans that are considered the most dangerous as of 2024:

  1. Central City: Known for its high crime rate, 102% higher than the national average, with violent crimes 653% higher. Residents have a 1 in 9 chance of becoming a crime victim​​.
  2. Lower 9th Ward: This area has a crime rate 42% higher than the national average and violent crimes 460% higher. The chance of being a crime victim here is 1 in 12​​.
  3. Desire: Crime rate is 60% over the New Orleans average, with a violent crime rating 446% over the national average. There’s a 1 in 11 chance of becoming a crime victim​​.
  4. Seventh Ward: Known for a violent crime rate over 622% of the national average. The chance of becoming a crime victim is 1 in 10​​.
  5. Pines Village: Crime rate is 112% over the New Orleans average; violent crime is 543% higher than the national average. Residents have a 1 in 10 chance of being a crime victim​​.
  6. Saint Claude: Crime rates tower over the national average by 373%. The chance of becoming a victim of any type of crime is 1 in 10​​.
  7. Saint Roch: Crime rate is 112% over the city’s average, with violent crime rating 624% over the national average. There’s a 1 in 10 chance of becoming a crime victim​​.
  8. Florida Area: Crime rates are 56% greater than the national average, with violent crimes 599% greater. The chance of becoming a crime victim is high​​.
  9. West Lake Forest: Known for fluctuating crime rates, including shootings and armed robberies. The chance of being a crime victim is 1 in 12​​.
  10. Venetian Isles: Fewer reports of significant incidents, but violent crimes are 446% higher than the national average. Safety concerns increase at nighttime​​.

While these neighborhoods present higher risks, it’s important to remember that New Orleans, like any large city, has many safe and welcoming areas. Visitors and residents should stay informed and take necessary precautions when traveling in the city.