West Lafayette, IN Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: May 5, 2026
Lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated May 2026
Summary: West Lafayette, IN Crime Rate (2026)
West Lafayette, IN has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 15% below the national average. West Lafayette has lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: May 5, 2026.
Is West Lafayette Safe?
Somewhat — crime is near the national average
Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Some areas are safe, others are not.
West Lafayette has a crime rate that is 15% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 276.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 276
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
5% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 45
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
21% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
West Lafayette 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
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
112 | +12% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
86 | -14% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
116 | +16% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
West Lafayette Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
West Lafayette Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific West Lafayette zip codes.
West Lafayette Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in West Lafayette, IN?
West Lafayette, IN has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 15% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 276 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 45 chance for property crime. West Lafayette has lower crime than 46% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is West Lafayette, IN safe to live in?
West Lafayette 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 West Lafayette is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in West Lafayette?
The estimated violent crime rate in West Lafayette is 362.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 5% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 276 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.7 per 100K (6% below average); aggravated assault at 238.6 per 100K (11% below average); robbery at 81.7 per 100K (11% above average).
What is the property crime rate in West Lafayette?
The estimated property crime rate in West Lafayette is 2,219.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 45 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 233.1 per 100K (14% below average); larceny/theft at 1,622.9 per 100K (16% above average); vehicle theft at 363.5 per 100K (14% above average).
How does West Lafayette crime compare to the national average?
West Lafayette's overall crime rate is 15% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (16% above average), while burglary is 14% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, West Lafayette has lower crime than 46% of them.
Is West Lafayette safe to visit?
Visitors to West Lafayette should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 21% 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 West Lafayette crime compare to the rest of Indiana?
Indiana as a whole has crime that is 1% below the national average. West Lafayette's crime rate is 15% below the national average, making it safer the typical Indiana city.
What type of crime is most common in West Lafayette?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in West Lafayette, with an estimated rate of 1,622.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 16% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,220 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (363 per 100K) in West Lafayette, which is consistent with national trends.