Alexandria, LA (12/31/2025) – Joe & Nic’s Road Trip recently released an episode titled We Visited The USA’s 2nd Most Dangerous City, turning its focus to Alexandria, Louisiana.
As Joe drives toward downtown, he surveys surrounding neighborhoods and immediately notes visible signs of struggle. Vacant buildings, quiet streets, and aging infrastructure frame the opening moments, setting the tone for a deeper discussion about the city’s challenges.
Joe quickly shifts attention to crime, which he identifies as Alexandria’s most pressing issue. Using the latest FBI data, he explains that crime rates across most major U.S. cities declined. Alexandria, however, moved in the opposite direction. The city recorded approximately 9,310 crimes per 100,000 residents, up from 8,366 the previous year. This increase placed Alexandria among the highest-crime cities in the country, despite its relatively small population.
Importantly, Joe clarifies that his analysis uses city population figures, not metro statistics. Alexandria’s actual city population is about 45,275 residents, down from a peak of 51,648 in 1980. He stresses that crime rates are calculated using city boundaries, which can amplify per-capita figures in smaller cities. Still, he emphasizes that the upward trend remains troubling, especially as comparable cities saw improvements.
The episode broadens to include state-level comparisons. Louisiana ranks among the highest-crime states nationally, while states with both conservative and liberal leadership appear across high- and low-crime lists. Joe points out that politics alone do not explain the data. Instead, the numbers suggest deeper structural issues tied to economics, population loss, and opportunity gaps.
As Joe enters downtown Alexandria, he describes a calm, almost empty cityscape on a Friday morning in December. He situates Alexandria geographically in Central Louisiana, just outside Cajun country, and reviews demographic data. The city’s population is approximately 56 percent Black, 36 percent White, with smaller percentages of Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial residents. The median age is about 38, slightly younger than the national average.
Income and poverty statistics further illustrate the city’s challenges. Median household income in Alexandria is roughly $47,357 per year, significantly lower than the Louisiana state average. Overall poverty stands near 26 percent, while child poverty is substantially higher. Joe notes that these economic pressures often correlate with higher crime and reduced population stability.
Despite the sobering data, the episode also highlights Alexandria’s history and cultural assets. Joe visits downtown markers detailing the city’s origins, its role during the Civil War, and its early economic growth along the Red River. He stops at the historic Hotel Bentley, a long-standing downtown landmark, and points out murals, churches, and neighborhoods that reflect pride and preservation.
Later in the episode, Joe and Nic visit the Alexandria Zoo and dine at a local restaurant. These moments add balance, showing everyday life continuing alongside the city’s challenges. They emphasize that Alexandria is more than statistics, even as those numbers demand serious attention.
Overall, Joe & Nic’s Road Trip presents Alexandria through city-level data and firsthand observation. The episode combines crime statistics, population decline, historical context, and lived reality. It portrays Alexandria as a complex city facing real struggles, while still retaining community, history, and humanity.
Watch the full video here.
