Is Alabama Dangerous?
Alabama is somewhat more dangerous than the US average, as it has a violent crime rate of 411 per 100,000 residents, which is 3% above the national average. Alabama also has one of the highest murder rates in the country. Alabama's homicide rate is 10.9 per 100,000, which is the 4th highest in America and almost double the national average. One area where Alabama scores well is property crimes, which are 13% below the US average.
Most Dangerous Cities in Alabama
- Fairfield
- Gadsden
- Birmingham
- Tarrant
- Anniston
- Lanette
- Bessemer
- Selma
- Prichard
- Troy
1. Fairfield
The most dangerous city in Alabama is Fairfield. This suburb of Birmingham is located in western Jefferson County and has the highest crime rate in the state, which is 7,180 per 100,000 residents. Fairfield’s population is roughly 10,000, and the crime rate is 311% above the national average. There were 224 violent incidents and 855 incidents of theft in the 2022 year. The most common types of crimes include assault, robbery, burglary, and theft. There were eight murders recorded in the 2022 year.
2. Gadsden
Gadsden is another one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama. Gadsden was once a major center of manufacturing, but the economy has steadily declined in recent decades. With a total population of 33,739, Gadsden’s crime rate is a whopping 290% above the national average. Common crimes include robbery, assault, burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. There were five murders in Gadsen in the 2022 year. Gadsden struggles with poverty and unemployment, with the average income being 37% below the national average.
3. Birmingham
Birmingham is another one of the worst cities in Alabama for crime. Birmingham is also one of the largest cities in Alabama and serves as an important regional hub for the Piedmont and Appalachian regions of the state. It’s also one of the most dangerous cities in the state. Birmingham has a population of roughly 197,575 and a crime rate that is 251% above the national average. The most common types of crime include robbery, assault, burglary, and vehicle theft. There were 88 murders recorded in the 2022 year. Birmingham struggles with poverty and unemployment and has a poorly rated school system.
4. Tarrant
Tarrant is also one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama. Tarrant is a small city near Birmingham that serves as a local coal production hub. The city’s population is 6,124, with a total crime rate that is 229% higher than the national average. In 2022, there were 109 violent incidents and 368 property crimes committed in Tarrant. The most common types of crime are assault, robbery, burglary, and theft. There was one homicide recorded in Tarrant during the 2022 year.
5. Anniston
Once nicknamed “The Model City,” Anniston has become one of Alabama’s most dangerous cities in recent years. Anniston has a population of 21,654 and a total crime rate that is 156% above the national average. There were 162 violent crimes and 1,094 property crimes recorded in 2022. Anniston is so dangerous because Fort Mclellon, the local army base, shut down in the 1990s, causing high unemployment. Common crimes in Anniston include assaults, burglary, robbery, and theft. There were seven murders recorded in the 2022 year.
6. Lanette
Lanette is a small and dangerous city located along the Chattahoochee River southwest of Atlanta. With a population of 6,468, Lanette has a crime rate that is 67% above the national average. Property crime is the most common, with 211 incidents recorded in 2022. In terms of violent crime, there were two murders and 3 robberies recorded during the same year.
7. Bessemer
Bessemer is another one of the worst cities in Alabama for crime. Bessemer is a suburb of Birmingham and is located in Jefferson County. Out of a population of 26,019, Bessemer’s crime rate is 56% above the national average. Property crime is rampant in the city, with burglaries and car thefts being common. The surrounding area is known for being a drug trafficking hotspot, which greatly contributes to the city’s crime rate. There were 640 recorded violent crimes in Bessemer during the same year.
8. Selma
Located along the Alabama River, Selma is a city with a long history of high crime rates. Selma’s population is 17,971, with a total crime rate that is 51% higher than the national average. Both violent and property crimes are high, with shootings, muggings, burglaries, and robberies being common. Selma has had longstanding issues with poverty, with much of the population earning well below the national average.
9. Prichard
Prichard is a city in Mobile County along the coast in southern Alabama. With a population of 22,659, Prichard’s total crime rate is 16% above the national average. Prichard’s violent crime rate is especially high. There were 12 murders, 24 robberies, and 160 assaults in Prichard in 2022, making it one of the most violent cities in Alabama. Theft is common in Prichard, with cars, homes, and personal property being targeted. Drug trafficking and addiction are common in Prichard, which contributes to much of the crime.
10. Troy
Troy is a city that serves as the county seat of Pike County in southern Alabama. With a population of roughly 18,033, Troy’s crime rate is only slightly below the national average. While Troy overall isn’t as dangerous as some other Alabama cities, some residents report having problems with property and car theft. There were two murders and four robberies recorded in the 2022 year.