Is Bucktown safe?
Metairie, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bucktown as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Bucktown
“Go. Bucktown is a safe, relaxed lakeside neighborhood known for its historic seafood heritage and waterfront parks. Visitors can comfortably explore its restaurants, harbor, and levee paths day or night with standard everyday awareness.”
About the area
Located along the southern shore of Lake Pontchartrain in Metairie, Bucktown has transitioned from an old fishing village into an affluent, quiet suburban haven. It offers visitors scenic marina views, levee greenways, and some of the metro area's most famous traditional Louisiana seafood institutions.
- Lakeside Calm
- Seafood Hub
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban Coastal
Walking and biking in Bucktown
Walk score: 48/100 · Bike score: 58/100
The neighborhood provides direct access to the scenic Lakefront Levee Trail for long-distance riding, though there are no municipal bike-share stations in Jefferson Parish.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to the broader New Orleans metropolitan area.
- High rates of homeownership and above-average median household incomes reflect strong neighborhood stability.
- Consistent routine patrols from the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office provide strong deterrence.
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic property theft and vehicle burglaries occur, particularly in busy restaurant parking areas.
- High vulnerability to severe coastal storms and localized tropical weather events.
- Sidewalk infrastructure is intermittent along residential streets away from the marina.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically nonexistent within Bucktown, with no encampments or regular panhandling present in the neighborhood.
What Bucktown is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and very safe, with dog walkers, joggers, and recreational fishers out along the marina and levee.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and easygoing, with steady visitor traffic heading to waterfront dining and park spaces.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Active and family-friendly around the major dining corridors with bustling restaurant parking lots.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and dark in residential side streets, remaining safe though foot traffic drops to near zero.
Transit, parking and getting around
Jefferson Transit (JeT) serves the surrounding Metairie region, but internal Bucktown has very sparse direct bus routes and is fundamentally reliant on private vehicles or rideshares.
Parking is abundant and hassle-free, with large free private surface lots at local businesses and ample free public parking at Bucktown Harbor.
Things to do in Bucktown
- Walk the boardwalk and enjoy sunset views over Lake Pontchartrain at Bucktown Harbor Marina.
- Cycle or jog along the paved multi-use Lakefront Levee Trail.
- Dine on classic Louisiana boiled crawfish, oysters, and po'boys at traditional neighborhood seafood spots.
Local favorites
- Deanie's Seafood Restaurant · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (4200)Long-running institution famed for massive platters of fried seafood and boiled seasonal specialties.
- R&O's Restaurant · Cajun/Creole Restaurant · 4.4★ (2150)Beloved family-owned joint serving signature roast beef po'boys, pizza, and Italian-Cajun favorites.
- Bucktown Harbor Marina · Marina & Public Park · 4.7★ (460)Picturesque municipal harbor featuring scenic piers, educational wetlands, and open water views.
Neighborhoods near Bucktown
Common questions about Bucktown
Is Bucktown safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is Bucktown a good place to live?
On safety, Bucktown scores 85/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is Bucktown?
Walk score 48/100 and bike score 58/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Bucktown are safer?
Bucktown scores as high as or higher than its closest neighbors.
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