Is Plum Orchard safe?
New Orleans, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Plum Orchard as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Plum Orchard
“Skip unless you have specific family, personal, or community ties to the area. Plum Orchard is a predominantly residential part of Eastern New Orleans that faces elevated rates of violent and property crime alongside persistent blight. There are very few tourist attractions or dedicated visitor amenities, and safety risks increase substantially after dark.”
About the area
Plum Orchard is a post-war suburban-style neighborhood located in New Orleans East, bounded by Chef Menteur Highway and Dwyer Road. Primarily comprised of single-family ranch homes and modest commercial strips along major corridors, it remains a quiet residential community facing economic and infrastructural hurdles. Visitors will find limited commercial destinations beyond everyday neighborhood retail and local takeout spots.
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Suburban Grid
- Quiet
Walking and biking in Plum Orchard
Walk score: 38/100 · Bike score: 42/100
Dedicated cycling infrastructure is virtually nonexistent in Plum Orchard, with no protected bike lanes or direct access to major trails like the Lafitte Greenway, and Blue Bikes bike-share does not service this district.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Plentiful and free curbside parking throughout residential blocks
- Close proximity to authentic, long-standing New Orleans East soul food and seafood joints along Chef Menteur Highway
- Tight-knit core of multi-generational homeowners committed to community revitalization
Cons
- Violent crime and property crime rates notably exceed national averages
- Elevated poverty rate and above-average residential vacancy and blight
- Very low pedestrian infrastructure with missing sidewalks and poor nighttime lighting
- Commercial corridors along US-90 experience elevated property theft and vehicle break-ins
Homelessness: Homelessness is not heavily visible within interior residential streets, but occasional individuals and panhandling can be observed near major intersections and vacant commercial parcels along Chef Menteur Highway.
What Plum Orchard is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are generally quiet with school and work commuters heading out, though pedestrian traffic is low due to wide roadways and lack of sidewalks.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons see steady traffic on Chef Menteur Highway and local residential streets; situational awareness is advised around convenience stores and transit stops.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly at dusk, residential streets become dimly lit, and walking around is not recommended.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights carry elevated safety risks regarding property crimes and firearm violence, making street presence ill-advised.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA), primarily via bus routes 64 (Lake Forest Express) and 65 (Crowder Express) operating along Chef Menteur Highway; there is no passenger rail or BRT service in this area.
Parking is very easy and universally free, with abundant street parking along residential roads and open surface lots at local commercial centers.
Things to do in Plum Orchard
- Sample classic New Orleans-style fried seafood and po' boys from neighborhood takeout counters
- Visit nearby Joe W. Brown Park just east of the neighborhood for expansive green space and sports facilities
- Explore authentic Vietnamese and Creole culinary corridors along Chef Menteur Highway
Local favorites
- Walker's BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.6★ (320)Renowned roadside eatery famous for its massive cochon de lait po' boys and traditional smoked meats.
- Castnet Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (1420)Neighborhood staple located nearby on Hayne serving freshly boiled crawfish, shrimp, and overstuffed po' boys.
- We Dat's Chicken & Shrimp · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.2★ (480)Popular local counter-service stop specializing in seasoned fried chicken tenders, loaded fries, and seafood combos.
Neighborhoods near Plum Orchard
Common questions about Plum Orchard
Is Plum Orchard safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Plum Orchard a good place to live?
On safety, Plum Orchard scores 45/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Plum Orchard?
Walk score 38/100 and bike score 42/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Plum Orchard are safer?
East Gentilly (60), Read Blvd West (54), Read Blvd East (54) score higher nearby.
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