New Orleans’s neighborhoods conjure up too many stereotypes to count. You’ve got hipster areas, preppy places, neighborhoods where college kids thrive, and of course, ghettos.
It seems as if there’s a neighborhood for everyone in New Orleans.
And while the city consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Louisiana thanks in part to tons of entertainment and jobs, it’s not all rainbows and sunshine in New Orleans. Some neighborhoods aren’t as safe as others.
So the question arises, which New Orleans neighborhoods are the most dangerous and which are the safest?
Today, we’ll use Saturday Night Science to determine which New Orleans hoods need a little tender loving care – the sore thumbs of the New Orleans area if you will. Realistically, you can’t expect all the neighborhoods to be amazing, although Audubon ranks way above the rest.
We examined 68 of New Orleans’s neighborhoods to find out the most dangerous places to live. These places don’t quite measure up to New Orleans’s reputation.
Table Of Contents: Top 10 | Methodology | Summary | Table
So what’s the worst neighborhood to live in New Orleans for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Desire looks to be the worst neighborhood in New Orleans.
Read on to see how we determined the places around New Orleans that need a pick-me-up. And remember, don’t blame the messenger.
For more Louisiana reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Louisiana
- Cheapest Places To Live In Louisiana
- Most Dangerous Places In Louisiana
The 10 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In New Orleans For 2024
/10
Population: 2,667
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,119
Property Crime Per 100k: 7,263
Median Home Value: $93,600 (2nd worst)
Median Income: $14,134 (2nd worst)
More on Desire: Data
Should you desire to live in Desire? Well, it made this list, so you probably already have your answer. It’s certainly an affordable part of town, with a median home price of just $93,600. As you can guess from that figure, though, life in Desire isn’t exactly flush. Housing in the area is run down and there isn’t much demand for local real estate.
The underlying problem comes from a disastrous economy. More than 1 out of every 7 residents is out of work. Even those with jobs scrape by with a median income of just $14,134.
/10
Population: 677
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,119
Property Crime Per 100k: 7,263
Median Home Value: $77,700 (worst)
Median Income: $11,128 (worst)
More on Viavant-Venetian Isles: Data
If you just heard the name, you’d probably be pretty excited to visit the Venetian Isles. Sounds like a getaway in a scenic part of Italy. And New Orleans’ Venetian Isles does offer a mild taste of Venice. A bayou version, anyway.
See, homes sit on the water and residents tend to travel by boat. And if you’re looking for more adventure, a quick trip will take you to the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.
These charms aside, though, the area presents its share of challenges. Most of these fall under the financial category. After all, it’s tough to make your boat payments when unemployment rates run 5.3% and the median income stands at just $11,128.
/10
Population: 3,835
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,495
Property Crime Per 100k: 7,665
Median Home Value: $160,175 (2worst)
Median Income: $22,383 (7th worst)
More on Pines Village: Data
Someday, a real estate agent might try to sell you property in Pines Village. Based on the name, they might promise a quaint community nestled into a tranquil forested setting. If they do, don’t fall for it. In actuality, there’s little green space to be found in the Pines Village. Even the “village” part is kind of a hype. Just regular neighborhoods populated with similar one-story houses.
What that crooked real estate agent probably already knows is that Pines Village faces serious economic woes. Even the median home price of $160,175 lies beyond the means of many locals. That’s thanks to the 16.8% unemployment rate and the $22,383 median income.
/10
Population: 1,037
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,678
Property Crime Per 100k: 4,455
Median Home Value: $152,400 (18th worst)
Median Income: $16,999 (3rd worst)
More on Fischer Dev: Data
A small section on the south side of the Mississippi River, the Fischer Development Neighborhood sits within a curve of Highway 90. The unusually bureaucratic name comes from the fact this area was once home to a series of infamous low-income projects, known for raging crime and several high-profile murders.
A redevelopment program has since led to the demolition of many of these projects, but the overall economic problems still plague the neighborhood. Just look at the unemployment rate of 10.9%.
And housing in the area isn’t even that affordable any more. Sure, the median home price comes in at just $152,400. That would be a steal in many cities in America. But when locals pull in a median income of just $16,999, that becomes a steep mortgage.
/10
Population: 5,650
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,292
Property Crime Per 100k: 6,065
Median Home Value: $138,417 (11th worst)
Median Income: $24,114 (11th worst)
More on West Lake Forest: Data
Despite its name, West Lake Forest sits on the east side of the city. It’s pretty far from the action. In fact, it lies about as far from downtown as it does from the swamps of the Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge.
A short drive from Lake Pontchartrain, the neighborhood is bounded to the north by I-10 and on the south by Dwyer Rd. That access to travel is an important component…you may want an escape route, at least if you’re looking for a good-paying job.
Finding jobs of any kind in the area poses a challenge. This dynamic leads to an unemployment rate of 8.4%. Meanwhile, wages are exceptionally low. The median income stands at $24,114.
/10
Population: 4,351
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,170
Property Crime Per 100k: 6,178
Median Home Value: $168,833 (26th worst)
Median Income: $28,535 (18th worst)
More on Lower 9th Ward: Data
The Lower 9th Ward became nationally famous in 2005 as a result of Hurricane Katrina. Located just off the Mississippi River, in the far eastern part of the city, the neighborhood suffered significant flooding as a result of the storm. All this time later, the area is still struggling.
To be historically accurate, it faced significant problems even before Katrina hit. These underlying economic problems continue to afflict the residents. This includes a $28,535 median income and a 13.3% unemployment rate. Still, the community holds together, dotted by churches and sustained by a main drag along Claiborne Ave.
/10
Population: 1,522
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,711
Property Crime Per 100k: 6,438
Median Home Value: $96,900 (3rd worst)
Median Income: $20,465 (4th worst)
More on Florida: Data
Not that Florida. This Florida isn’t even by the water. Besides the false advertising there, this neighborhood features run-down homes and mediocre public schools. No wonder it lands on this list as the number 7 worst place to live in New Orleans for 2024.
In terms of amenities, things are fine. There are plenty of churches and the area has its share of restaurants. You’ve even got Odile Davis Park for a touch of green.
As you’ve probably guessed, though, the underlying problem here is economic. Like most of the neighborhoods on this list, Florida attracts little besides low-paying jobs. The median income hovers at just $20,465.
/10
Population: 7,838
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,738
Property Crime Per 100k: 4,859
Median Home Value: $143,986 (14th worst)
Median Income: $28,384 (17th worst)
More on Behrman: Data
/10
Population: 6,398
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 2,807
Property Crime Per 100k: 7,831
Median Home Value: $141,788 (13th worst)
Median Income: $23,281 (10th worst)
More on Saint Roch: Data
/10
Population: 5,187
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,918
Property Crime Per 100k: 8,105
Median Home Value: $125,100 (7th worst)
Median Income: $25,182 (13th worst)
More on Gert Town: Data
Gert Town gets its name from a general store that dominated the area in the old days. It still has a strong commercial stamp, though the character of the neighborhood has been changing. Just as an example, the old Blue Plate Mayonnaise Factory now serves as an apartment complex.
Living in a former condiment manufacturing facility provides a pretty good metaphor for life in the area in general. Top-paying jobs are difficult to land. After all, the factories are all closed down, leaving locals have to find what accommodations they can. Just look at the 6.5% unemployment rate or the $25,182 median income.
Still, there are rays of light in Gert Town. For instance, the neighborhood provides a home to Xavier University of Louisiana.
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous New Orleans neighborhoods in 2024
To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what places have the least amount of those things. We plugged the following criteria into Saturday Night Science to get the worst neighborhoods in New Orleans:
- High crime (Estimated)
- High unemployment (Less jobs)
- Low median income (Less pay)
- Low population density (No things to do)
- Low home values (No one’s willing to pay to live here)
Then, we ranked each neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana for each of these criteria from worst to best.
Next, we averaged the individual rankings for each criterion into a “Worst Score.”
The neighborhood with the lowest “Worst Score” ranks as the most dangerous neighborhood of New Orleans.
The article is an opinion based on facts and is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024. This report is our time ranking the worst neighborhoods to live in New Orleans.
Skip to the end to see the list of all 68 neighborhoods ranked from worst to best.
Summary: The Worst Neighborhoods Around New Orleans
Well, there you have it — the worst of the neighborhoods in New Orleans with Desire landing at the bottom of the pack.
The worst neighborhoods in New Orleans are Desire, Viavant-Venetian Isles, Pines Village, Fischer Dev, West Lake Forest, Lower 9th Ward, Florida, Behrman, Saint Roch, and Gert Town.
As mentioned earlier, the neighborhoods in New Orleans aren’t all bad. Audubon takes the cake as the best place to live in New Orleans.
The best neighborhoods in New Orleans are Audubon, Uptown, Lakeview, Black Pearl, and Touro.
We ranked the neighborhoods from worst to best in the chart below.
For more Louisiana reading, check out:
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods To Live In New Orleans For 2024?
Rank | Neighborhood | Population | Home Value | Median Income |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Desire | 2,667 | $93,600 | $14,134 |
2 | Viavant-Venetian Isles | 677 | $77,700 | $11,128 |
3 | Pines Village | 3,835 | $160,175 | $22,383 |
4 | Fischer Dev | 1,037 | $152,400 | $16,999 |
5 | West Lake Forest | 5,650 | $138,417 | $24,114 |
6 | Lower 9th Ward | 4,351 | $168,833 | $28,535 |
7 | Florida | 1,522 | $96,900 | $20,465 |
8 | Behrman | 7,838 | $143,986 | $28,384 |
9 | Saint Roch | 6,398 | $141,788 | $23,281 |
10 | Gert Town | 5,187 | $125,100 | $25,182 |
11 | Saint Claude | 6,562 | $156,929 | $26,052 |
12 | Pontchartrain Park | 1,790 | $155,200 | $35,575 |
13 | Plum Orchard | 5,813 | $136,560 | $25,744 |
14 | Holy Cross | 2,862 | $171,350 | $39,040 |
15 | Saint Bernard Area | 2,472 | $106,033 | $21,394 |
16 | Mcdonogh | 2,103 | $137,200 | $31,159 |
17 | Bywater | 3,922 | $328,362 | $54,952 |
18 | Whitney | 1,878 | $162,400 | $41,928 |
19 | Tulane-Gravier | 3,775 | $281,767 | $22,516 |
20 | Holly Grove | 5,564 | $139,633 | $28,373 |
21 | Treme’ Lafitte | 4,617 | $324,617 | $29,668 |
22 | Village De L’est | 8,709 | $132,600 | $42,923 |
23 | Dixon | 2,179 | $168,200 | $21,085 |
24 | Saint Thomas | 1,974 | $115,700 | $24,507 |
25 | Dillard | 4,850 | $168,820 | $23,199 |
26 | Read Blvd West | 4,730 | $145,300 | $31,998 |
27 | Seventh Ward | 11,595 | $193,861 | $30,859 |
28 | Central City | 14,110 | $218,212 | $32,318 |
29 | Saint Anthony | 4,618 | $151,180 | $36,796 |
30 | New Aurora-English Turn | 3,529 | $119,700 | $36,480 |
31 | Read Blvd East | 8,886 | $196,500 | $58,658 |
32 | Little Woods | 33,284 | $166,974 | $36,047 |
33 | Us Naval Base | 2,016 | $223,267 | $45,752 |
34 | Lake Catherine | 677 | $226,800 | $61,250 |
35 | Gentilly Woods | 4,116 | $151,900 | $37,011 |
36 | Gentilly Terrace | 10,066 | $187,290 | $58,412 |
37 | Milneburg | 4,930 | $210,940 | $42,978 |
38 | Tall Timbers-Brechtel | 13,387 | $200,300 | $58,312 |
39 | Bayou Saint John | 3,880 | $254,380 | $40,102 |
40 | City Park | 2,927 | $376,922 | $78,471 |
41 | Milan | 5,911 | $378,867 | $52,421 |
42 | Leonidas | 7,179 | $273,944 | $46,720 |
43 | Mid-City | 14,578 | $307,875 | $55,538 |
44 | Broadmoor | 6,970 | $321,314 | $59,622 |
45 | Fairgrounds | 5,134 | $275,160 | $57,860 |
46 | Marigny | 3,751 | $421,317 | $61,848 |
47 | Fillmore | 6,495 | $257,150 | $62,644 |
48 | Old Aurora | 15,830 | $203,820 | $62,243 |
49 | Garden District | 3,212 | $480,823 | $63,148 |
50 | Lake Terrace And Oaks | 1,497 | $445,500 | $118,576 |
51 | Lower Garden District | 5,112 | $492,475 | $83,093 |
52 | Navarre | 2,263 | $345,300 | $68,593 |
53 | Central Business District | 2,976 | $453,250 | $60,982 |
54 | West Riverside | 4,946 | $472,333 | $79,431 |
55 | Freret | 1,969 | $348,433 | $59,532 |
56 | French Quarter | 3,181 | $510,186 | $62,944 |
57 | Algeirs Point | 2,574 | $347,367 | $65,622 |
58 | Irish Channel | 3,425 | $462,429 | $80,785 |
59 | West End | 3,281 | $381,325 | $69,364 |
60 | Lake Shore-Lake Vista | 2,423 | $552,200 | $120,649 |
61 | Marlyville-Fontainebleau | 5,994 | $423,243 | $82,700 |
62 | East Riverside | 3,235 | $400,100 | $92,052 |
63 | East Carollton | 4,185 | $457,200 | $77,204 |
64 | Touro | 2,502 | $621,167 | $81,285 |
65 | Black Pearl | 1,922 | $400,350 | $79,701 |
66 | Lakeview | 8,762 | $454,136 | $115,696 |
67 | Uptown | 6,297 | $473,300 | $100,032 |
68 | Audubon | 16,004 | $704,812 | $105,976 |