Ponchatoula, LA Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Ponchatoula Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
Ponchatoula has a crime rate that is 16% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 335.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 335
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
22% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 52
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
6% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Ponchatoula Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
85 | -15% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
79 | -21% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
97 | -3% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
92 | -8% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Ponchatoula Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Ponchatoula Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Ponchatoula zip codes.
Ponchatoula Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Ponchatoula, LA?
Ponchatoula, LA has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 16% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 335 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 52 chance for property crime. Ponchatoula has lower crime than 47% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Ponchatoula, LA safe to live in?
Ponchatoula has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Ponchatoula is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Ponchatoula?
The estimated violent crime rate in Ponchatoula is 298.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 335 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.2 per 100K (15% below average); aggravated assault at 205.7 per 100K (23% below average); robbery at 58.4 per 100K (21% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Ponchatoula?
The estimated property crime rate in Ponchatoula is 1,933.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 52 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 278.7 per 100K (3% above average); larceny/theft at 1,360.4 per 100K (3% below average); vehicle theft at 294.4 per 100K (8% below average).
How does Ponchatoula crime compare to the national average?
Ponchatoula's overall crime rate is 16% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (3% above average), while assault is 23% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Ponchatoula has lower crime than 47% of them.
Is Ponchatoula safe to visit?
Visitors to Ponchatoula should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 6% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Ponchatoula crime compare to the rest of Louisiana?
Louisiana as a whole has crime that is 17% above the national average. Ponchatoula's crime rate is 16% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Louisiana city.
What type of crime is most common in Ponchatoula?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Ponchatoula, with an estimated rate of 1,360.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 3% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,934 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (298 per 100K) in Ponchatoula, which is consistent with national trends.