| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Anniston/100k people | Alabama/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,097 | n/a (estimate) | 5,211 | 1,925 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 19.0 | 8.7 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 16 | n/a | 76.0 | 25.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 18 | n/a | 85.5 | 34.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 140 | n/a | 665.0 | 291.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 178 | n/a (estimate) | 846 | 360 | 359 |
| Burglary | 214 | n/a | 1,016.5 | 243.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 612 | n/a | 2,907.1 | 1,148.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 93 | n/a | 441.8 | 173.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 919 | n/a (estimate) | 4,365 | 1,565 | 1,760 |

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Anniston is 145.9% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 178 violent crimes reported in Anniston, equivalent to 846 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 135.5%. Additionally, Anniston recorded 919 property crimes, amounting to 4365 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 148%.
In Anniston, the crime rate stands at 5211 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 145.89%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Anniston that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Anniston is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 846 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Anniston is 1 in 119.
Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Anniston has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 4 murders in Anniston, which is 19 murders per 100,000 people.
Anniston has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4365 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Anniston is 1 in 23, which is far higher than the national average.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Anniston is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Anniston reported a total of 93 vehicle thefts, resulting in 442 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 227, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Anniston. Based on the results of the surveys (105 responses), 16% of people felt that there was very little crime in Anniston and felt safe walking alone at night. While 84% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To get a feel for the safety of living in Anniston, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Anniston presents a total crime rate that is 146% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Anniston experiences an average of 3.01 daily crimes, comprising 0.49 violent incidents and 2.52 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Anniston crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Anniston has decreased by 12.7% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 9.9% and property crime has decreased by 16%.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Anniston crime rates. In Anniston, the poverty rate stands at 21.3%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
In Anniston, the current unemployment rate stands at 4.3%, diverging from the national average of 4.9%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Anniston crime rates.
High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Anniston crime rates. The population density in Anniston is 486.4 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.
| Item | Anniston | Alabama | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 129 | 9,968 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 5.6 | 4.1 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Alabama /100K | National /100K |
| Alabama | 10,698 | 231 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Choccolocco, AL | 3,331 | 69 | 298 | 367 |
| Munford, AL | 1,522 | 162 | 706 | 869 |
| Heflin, AL | 3,579 | 113 | 793 | 906 |
| Nances Creek, AL | 390 | 196 | 853 | 1,050 |
| Alexandria, AL | 4,327 | 210 | 913 | 1,123 |
| West End-Cobb Town, AL | 3,571 | 238 | 1,036 | 1,275 |
| Weaver, AL | 3,183 | 271 | 1,743 | 2,014 |
| Anniston, AL | 22,178 | 846 | 4,365 | 5,211 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Kapolei, HI | 22,175 | 190 | 1,696 | 1,886 |
| Duarte, CA | 22,169 | 249 | 1,222 | 1,471 |
| St. Andrews, SC | 22,188 | 566 | 2,547 | 3,113 |
| Ensley, FL | 22,158 | 319 | 1,697 | 2,016 |
| Hamtramck, MI | 22,199 | 489 | 1,595 | 2,084 |
| Anniston, AL | 22,178 | 846 | 4,365 | 5,211 |