Houma, LA Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Houma, LA

What is Houma's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Houma, LA earns an overall crime grade of C for 2026, placing it in the middle tier of U.S. cities for safety. A C grade means residents face a moderate level of risk — not among the most dangerous cities, but with enough crime activity to warrant awareness and precaution. This grade reflects a combination of property crime and violent crime incidents spread across the city's roughly 146,665 residents. For context, cities with an A or B grade typically see significantly lower per-capita incident rates, while a C signals that staying informed through tools like the Houma crime map is genuinely worthwhile.

Is Houma safe to live in?

Houma's safety picture is mixed. With a poverty rate of 21% and an unemployment rate of 5.7% — both above national averages — economic stress contributes to elevated crime in certain pockets of the city. That said, many neighborhoods remain quiet and family-friendly. Areas like Bayou Cane and Southdown are frequently cited by residents as more stable, with active community engagement and lower reported incident densities. The city's median household income of $44,956 and median home value of $168,300 make it relatively affordable, and for many families, the trade-off between cost of living and safety is favorable compared to larger Louisiana metros.

What types of crime are most common in Houma?

Property crimes make up the largest share of reported incidents in Houma, consistent with national patterns for cities of similar size and density (882 people per square mile). Theft — including vehicle break-ins and shoplifting — tends to be the most frequently reported category, particularly near commercial corridors. Burglary clusters appear in transitional neighborhoods where home values and median rents (averaging around $750/month) reflect economic pressure. Violent crimes, including assaults and robberies, are present but more geographically concentrated, often in areas intersecting with higher poverty rates. Substance-related offenses also appear as a recurring factor in local incident reports, influencing both property and violent crime patterns across the city.

Which neighborhoods in Houma have the most crime?

While granular block-level data shifts frequently, the Houma crime map consistently highlights that incidents are not evenly distributed across the city. Neighborhoods closer to industrial corridors and lower-income districts tend to show higher incident densities. By contrast, established suburban areas such as Southdown and communities near the Bayou Cane corridor report fewer incidents per capita. The city's overall C crime grade reflects this uneven distribution — some zones would grade out closer to a B, while others drag the average down toward D territory. Checking the interactive crime map before moving to or visiting a specific area gives you the most current neighborhood-level picture.

How does Houma's crime rate compare to other Louisiana cities?

With a C overall crime grade, Houma sits in a moderate range relative to Louisiana peers. The state as a whole faces elevated crime compared to national benchmarks, so a C in Louisiana still implies meaningful risk. Houma's population of approximately 146,665 and its economic profile — including a 21% poverty rate — are consistent with cities that tend to score in the C-to-D range statewide. Compared to much larger metros like New Orleans or Baton Rouge, Houma's scale and community density offer some insulation from the highest crime concentrations, but it is not immune to the regional trends that affect much of south Louisiana.

What can residents do to stay safer in Houma?

Data shows that property crimes — the most common category in Houma — are also among the most preventable. Residents in neighborhoods like Bayou Cane and Southdown who participate in neighborhood watch programs report stronger feelings of safety and faster police response awareness. Practical steps backed by crime-reduction research include securing vehicles (auto theft and break-ins are disproportionately common in cities with median rents around $750, where economic pressure is high), installing visible home security measures, and using the Houma crime map to track recent incident clusters near your address. Reporting suspicious activity to the Houma Police Department also contributes to the data that keeps the crime map accurate and the community informed.