Bossier vs Shreveport: Is One City Really Better Than the Other?
There is certainly more than just the Red River separating the cities of Shreveport and Bossier City, and while an argument could be made supporting either city as "better" than the other, we decided to approach this one somewhat scientifically.
Having spent nearly sixty years here in the Shreveport/Bossier area, I feel as though I have a certain amount of qualification to answer the question myself, but putting my own opinion aside, we let the pro's and con's of each city stand on their own.
Using categories including entertainment like movie theaters, nightlife, parks and such, to restaurants and shopping, crime rates and educational options, we were able to arrive somewhat of an informed outcome.
For the purpose of this argument, let us first consider the fundamentals.
School Ranking
While neither, Caddo or Bossier Parish school districts were overall ranked in the Top 10 of Louisiana, Bossier Parish Schools were ranked #14 in the state and Caddo Parish was ranked #34 in the state
Crime Rate
Of Bossier City, the website neighborhoodscout.com wrote, "With a crime rate of 61 per one thousand residents, Bossier City has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 16."
However, the same site wrote the following of Shreveport, "With a crime rate of 57 per one thousand residents, Shreveport has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 18."
If the site's numbers are correct, neither city haven proven to be exceptionally safe, but Shreveport is actually slightly safer than Bossier City when it comes to the criminal element.
Property Values
According to the nationally renowned real estate value website, Zillow.com, Shreveport doesn't fare very well when it comes to property value as the average Shreveport home is valued at $127,895 while Zillow.com shows the average Bossier City home to be valued nearly $70,000 more at $197,194.
Movie Theaters And Other Family Entertainment
- Shreveport can lay claim to both the Robinson Film Center and those famous recliners at Cinemark Tinseltown
- Bossier City has only the Regal Louisiana Boardwalk Theater.
- Shreveport has All Star Bowling Lanes.
- Bossier City has Holiday Lanes.
- Shreveport has the Shreveport Aquarium, Splash Kingdom, Air-U Trampoline Park and Sci-Port Discovery Center
- Bossier City offers Party Central, Surge Entertainment and Altitude Trampoline Park.
- Shreveport has "Festival Plaza" which hosts everything from the Red River Revel to Mudbug Madness
- Bossier City has both Tinsley Park and Walbrook Park for young athletes
- Shreveport residents can also lay claim to Cross Lake, one of the premier bodies of water in all Louisiana
Live Entertainment
- Shreveport is home to Hirsch Coliseum and the Shreveport Municipal Auditorium
- Bossier City is home of Brookshire Grocery Arena
Gambling
- Shreveport has Bally's Shreveport Casino and Hotel and Sam's Town Hotel and Casino
- Bossier City offers Margaritaville, Horseshoe, Boomtown and Louisiana Downs
Shopping and Dining
In my opinion, this one is truly a toss up. For everything one can find on the east side of the river in Bossier City on Airline Drive, Benton Road and Barksdale Boulevard, Shreveport can match with Youree Drive, 70th Street and Line Avenue.
Places of Worship
Again, another toss up. Even with Shreveport's First United Methodist Church and Summer Grove Baptist, Bossier City can counter with First Baptist Bossier and Simple Church.
So, Which City Is The Overall Winner?
While not trying to dodge the issue, the answer is truly one of perception. And based on current perception, only due to the perceived rise in Shreveport crime, Bossier City would have to be declared the winner.
However, the only two areas where Bossier City is the clear champion, is education and property value, so the real question is somewhat moot. It just really depends on you and your preference. Both cities have a lot of work to do, but then again, so does the entire State of Louisiana.
It's possible to live in one city and play in the other and for most of us, that's exactly how we do it.