Top 10 most dangerous cities in Alabama

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Steeped in history and Southern tradition, this state offers a variety of cultural and natural attractions. Known for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, it is home to significant landmarks such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. The diverse landscape ranges from the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Shores to the lush forests of the Appalachian foothills. Cities like Huntsville, with its U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Mobile, known for its vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations, reflect the unique character of the state. However, amid its historical significance and natural beauty, certain areas face challenges in terms of safety. The most dangerous cities in Alabama are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where residents and visitors should remain vigilant. Despite these issues, Alabama's blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and Southern hospitality continues to attract those who appreciate its deep history and dynamic communities.

Within Alabama, the issue of safety remains a concern for both residents and visitors. Urban areas, in particular, tend to have higher crime rates compared to rural regions. The state’s efforts to address these concerns include community policing initiatives and various social programs aimed at reducing violence. Nevertheless, awareness and caution are advised, especially in the most dangerous cities in Alabama. These areas, while challenged by higher crime rates, also present opportunities for improvement and revitalization, showcasing the resilience and potential for positive change within the community.

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Bessemer Population: 26,063 1,744 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.78 chance of being a victim: 1 in 57 Total Crimes / 100k: 8,867

Bessemer, AL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Alabama with 1,744 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (1,477), robbery (162), rape (61) and homicide (44) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 384% higher than the Alabama average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Atmore Population: 9,269 1,362 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.73 chance of being a victim: 1 in 73 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,955

The second most dangerous city is Atmore. With a population of 9,269 and a violent crime rate that is 279% higher than the Alabama average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Atmore are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,362 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 73 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Birmingham Population: 210,928 1,247 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.42 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,278

Home to 210,928 residents, Birmingham, AL ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Alabama. Unfortunately for residents of Birmingham, crime is widespread, with more than 1,247 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 3.42 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 246% higher than the Alabama violent crime rate.

Alexander City Population: 14,515 1,024 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.81 chance of being a victim: 1 in 98 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,612

With a violent crime rate that is 185% higher than the Alabama average, it's not hard to see why Alexander City made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (77), assault (871), rape (49) and homicide (28). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Alexander City more vulnerable to high crime.

Demopolis Population: 6,724 965 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.64 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,683

The ongoing battle with crime in Demopolis, AL, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 965 and a 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Demopolis has a violent crime rate that is 168% higher than the Alabama average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Demopolis.

Dothan Population: 68,608 913 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.50 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,678

Dothan, AL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 913 per 100,000 people, which is 154% higher than the Alabama average. Dothan has a population of 68,608, which translates to 2.50 crimes per day and 1 in 110 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Dothan which are much safer than others.

Anniston Population: 21,518 846 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.32 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,211

A 1 in 118 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.32 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Anniston makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 846 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 135% higher than the Alabama average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (665), robbery (86), rape (76) and homicide (19).

Tuskegee Population: 8,443 827 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.27 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,645

Tuskegee, AL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 8,443 and a violent crime rate of 827 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 653 counts of assault, 105 counts of robbery, 23 counts of rape and 47 counts of homicide. All told, the Tuskegee violent crime rate is 130% higher than the Alabama average.

Lanett Population: 6,220 792 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.17 chance of being a victim: 1 in 126 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,871

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Lanett, AL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Alabama with a violent crime rate of 792 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.17 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 126 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Phenix City Population: 36,461 778 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.13 chance of being a victim: 1 in 129 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,248

Rounding out our list at #10 is Phenix City, AL. With a population of 36,461 and a violent crime rate of 778 per 100,000 people (116% higher than the Alabama average), some parts of Phenix City are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 650 counts of assault, 70 counts of robbery, 50 counts of rape and 8 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 129 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Alabama

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Bessemer	26,063	1,744	8,867
2	Atmore	9,269	1,362	4,955
3	Birmingham	210,928	1,247	5,278
4	Alexander City	14,515	1,024	4,612
5	Demopolis	6,724	965	3,683
6	Dothan	68,608	913	3,678
7	Anniston	21,518	846	5,211
8	Tuskegee	8,443	827	2,645
9	Lanett	6,220	792	3,871
10	Phenix City	36,461	778	4,248
11	Roanoke	5,931	776	4,657
12	Mobile	189,994	752	2,426
13	Eufaula	11,878	723	3,297
14	Semmes	5,780	721	5,864
15	Andalusia	8,719	668	4,334
16	Prichard	21,618	632	2,774
17	Florence	40,652	629	2,646
18	Enterprise	28,170	624	3,003
19	Selma	17,762	620	3,092
20	Jacksonville	12,796	608	2,268
21	Decatur	54,344	607	2,916
22	Montgomery	199,054	595	2,830
23	Gadsden	35,224	582	3,159
24	Greenville	7,478	578	4,420
25	Sylacauga	12,132	562	4,038
26	Opelika	30,589	560	3,185
27	Tuscaloosa	100,633	553	3,285
28	Brewton	5,210	545	4,573
29	Talladega	15,405	541	3,982
30	Sheffield	8,925	517	2,414
31	Hueytown	15,446	512	3,091
32	Troy	18,995	486	3,996
33	Huntsville	199,845	483	2,871
34	Ozark	14,350	439	3,449
35	Chickasaw	5,757	434	2,586
36	Bay Minette	9,297	414	2,046
37	Jasper	13,584	395	4,751
38	Lincoln	6,805	388	2,667
39	Valley	9,195	381	4,218
40	Orange Beach	6,130	357	2,202
41	Attalla	5,885	344	3,957
42	Clanton	8,719	314	3,622
43	Guntersville	8,531	305	2,777
44	Leeds	12,555	297	2,909
45	Pell City	14,081	295	2,498
46	Fultondale	9,247	294	3,011
47	Gulf Shores	12,550	287	2,079
48	Arab	8,405	257	3,806
49	Millbrook	16,037	244	3,681
50	Athens	26,686	243	2,313

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Alabama is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Alabama cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.