Is Red Oak safe?
Baton Rouge, Louisiana · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Red Oak as “Caution”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on Red Oak
“Go with care. Red Oak is primarily a quiet, working-class residential subdivision where visitors face minimal daytime danger, but awareness of elevated property crime in East Baton Rouge is recommended.”
About the area
Red Oak is an established residential neighborhood in eastern Baton Rouge characterized by mid-century single-family ranch homes, mature trees, and car-dependent suburban streets. While interior roads are generally peaceful, the neighborhood sits adjacent to busier commercial corridors that experience higher incident rates.
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet Residential
- Mid-Century Suburb
Walking and biking in Red Oak
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no dedicated on-street bike lanes or public bike-share stations in Red Oak, though nearby North Sherwood Forest Community Park offers paved multi-use recreational paths.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominantly single-family residential character with low pedestrian congestion
- High rates of vehicle access and convenient highway connectivity via Florida Boulevard
- Close proximity to extensive recreational amenities at North Sherwood Forest Community Park
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle break-in rates are higher than national benchmarks
- Commercial arterials bordering the area carry elevated violent incident rates compared to the interior
- Limited sidewalk infrastructure and sparse street lighting on residential blocks
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually nonexistent inside the interior residential blocks, though unhoused individuals and panhandling can occasionally be seen near major intersections along Florida Boulevard.
What Red Oak is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and safe with residents commuting and walking pets along interior neighborhood streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet inside the subdivision, though traffic and commercial activity increase along perimeter roads.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Streets become dimly lit; standard urban caution is advised when walking or parking outdoors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Very little foot traffic and increased vulnerability to vehicle break-ins; outdoor wandering is not recommended.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by the Capital Area Transit System (CATS), with primary bus routes such as Route 12 running along Florida Boulevard, but interior streets require private vehicles.
Parking is abundant and free, with wide residential streets and large surface parking lots at all nearby shopping plazas.
Things to do in Red Oak
- Spend an afternoon enjoying the indoor walking track, fishing lake, and trails at nearby North Sherwood Forest Community Park
- Sample authentic local boiled crawfish and Gulf seafood at neighborhood markets
- Explore regional shopping centers and specialty grocers along the Florida Boulevard and Sherwood corridors
Local favorites
- Montalbano's Seafood & Catering · Seafood Market & Deli · 4.6★ (750)Longtime local staple serving boiled crawfish, po'boys, and fresh Louisiana seafood specialties.
- Jay's Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Classic Baton Rouge BBQ counter serving smoked meats, savory sides, and homemade sauces since 1954.
- Jasmines on Sherwood · Cafe & Creole Dining · 4.6★ (1280)Cozy neighborhood spot offering traditional Southern comfort dishes, brunch plates, and seafood.
Neighborhoods near Red Oak
Common questions about Red Oak
Is Red Oak safe to walk at night?
Take care after dark: stick to lit main streets or take a ride.
Is Red Oak a good place to live?
On safety, Red Oak scores 62/100 — below average, so visit at different times of day before deciding to move.
How walkable is Red Oak?
Walk score 32/100 and bike score 38/100. Most trips need a car.
Which areas near Red Oak are safer?
Sharp (66), West Sherwood Forest (66), Sherwood Forest (Baton Rouge) (64) score higher nearby.
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