Is Laplace Safe, Pros and cons of living in Laplace

Laplace, Louisiana, situated along the east bank of the Mississippi River, is part of the New Orleans metropolitan area. This census-designated place (CDP) offers a blend of industrial presence and community living. Its strategic location provides access to major markets, contributing to its economic landscape.

The community’s demographics showcase a diverse population, with a significant African American presence. The median age indicates a community with a substantial working-age population, influencing its social and economic dynamics.

Is it Safe to Live in Laplace?

Laplace experiences a crime rate that is higher than the national average across all communities (as reported by NeighborhoodScout). Your chance of being a victim of crime in Laplace is 1 in 37, with violent crimes being 39% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The city’s overall crime rate is 28% higher than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes).

While the overall crime rate is a concern, safety can vary by neighborhood. Residents generally consider the southeast part of the city to be the safest, with a chance of being a victim of crime ranging from 1 in 23 in the southwest to 1 in 51 in the southeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident in Laplace is $705 per year, which is higher than both the national and Louisiana state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).

Housing Market and Cost of Living

The housing market in Laplace presents a median listing price of $235,000 (as reported by realtor.com®). The median property value in Laplace, LA was $199,900 in 2024, with a homeownership rate of 77.5%, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). The median rent price in Laplace is $1,351 per month (as reported by Point2Homes).

Laplace’s overall cost of living is 5% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale). Housing expenses are 11% lower than the national average, and utility prices are 6% lower. Transportation costs, including gas prices and bus fares, are also 7% lower than the national average (as reported by Payscale).

Job Market and Economy

The major employers in Laplace are concentrated in industrial sectors, including Shell Chemical Company, DuPont, ADM Growmark, and ArcelorMittal (as reported by Wikipedia). The Port of South Louisiana is also headquartered in Laplace, signifying the importance of logistics and trade to the local economy.

The average annual salary in Laplace is approximately $41,526, with most salaries ranging between $31,022 and $50,603 (as reported by ZipRecruiter). The unemployment rate in Laplace stands at 10.1% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is higher than the typical healthy range of 4% to 5% (as reported by Point2Homes).

Climate and Weather

Laplace experiences a climate characterized by long, hot, and oppressive summers, and short, cool winters. The hot season extends from May to September, with average daily high temperatures above 85°F. The hottest month is July, with highs around 90°F and lows of 75°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

The cool season lasts from December to February, with average daily high temperatures below 68°F. January is the coldest month, with average lows of 45°F and highs of 62°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The area receives an annual precipitation of about 66 inches, with June being the wettest month (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Demographics

Laplace is served by the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board, which operates public schools in the area. Some schools, like John L. Ory Communications Magnet Elementary, are noted for strong performance, particularly in English Language Arts (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). However, other schools in the district show lower test scores compared to state averages, especially in mathematics (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

The population of Laplace is approximately 28,343, with a median age of 38.1 years (as reported by Data USA). The racial composition is diverse, with a significant African American population (56.0%) and a White population (30.2%) (as reported by Census Dots). Hispanic residents make up 8.2% of the population (as reported by Census Dots).