Safest cities in Alabama

Access hyperlocal data to help you make a confident and informed decision.

Referred to as the 'Heart of Dixie,' Alabama is a state brimming with diverse landscapes and rich historical significance. Nestled in the southeastern United States, Alabama boasts a mix of geographic features, from the Appalachian foothills in the north to the scenic Gulf Coast beaches in the south. The state's economy thrives on a blend of aerospace, automotive, agriculture, and manufacturing industries. Alabama is renowned for its cultural landmarks such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, which showcases its contributions to space exploration, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, highlighting its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. The state's passion for sports, particularly college football, is legendary, with the fierce rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University capturing the hearts of many.

The safest cities in Alabama are highly sought after due to their low crime rates, which significantly enhance overall livability. Safety is a fundamental aspect of a thriving community, providing residents with peace of mind and contributing to economic stability. Factors contributing to the safety of Alabama's cities include proactive community policing, robust neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen involvement. These cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a reliable measure of safety. This commitment to security allows residents to fully enjoy Alabama's myriad of attractions and amenities without the constant worry of crime, making the state an attractive place to live.

Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius!

View detailed crime data near your address
Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages

GET REPORT →

* Crime data not available for every address.

Margaret Population: 5,011 105 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 105 chance of being a victim: 1 in 949

Margaret proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Alabama. With only 105 crimes per 100,000 people, Margaret has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Alabama average. This equates to an average of 0.02 crimes per day and a 1 in 949 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Southside Population: 8,981 425 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 104 Property Crime / 100k: 322 chance of being a victim: 1 in 235

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Southside comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Alabama with a crime rate of 425 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 21 counts of burglary, 291 counts of theft, 10 counts of vehicle theft, 73 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 31 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Southside, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Rainsville Population: 5,165 445 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 17 Property Crime / 100k: 427 chance of being a victim: 1 in 225

With a population of 5,165 and a total crime rate of 445 per 100,000 residents, Rainsville is the 3rd safest city in Alabama. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% lower than the Alabama average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Helena Population: 19,288 507 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 71 Property Crime / 100k: 436 chance of being a victim: 1 in 197

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Helena is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 507, 78% lower than the Alabama average. This amounts to 0.31 crimes per day and a 1 in 197 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Helena a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Tuscumbia Population: 8,741 510 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 65 Property Crime / 100k: 445 chance of being a victim: 1 in 196

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Tuscumbia consistently ranks high in safety. In Tuscumbia, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 510, which is 91% lower than the state average.

Vestavia Hills Population: 35,269 728 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 82 Property Crime / 100k: 645 chance of being a victim: 1 in 137

Vestavia Hills has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Alabama. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 728 crimes per 100,000 people, 62% lower than the Alabama average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 64 reports of burglary, 534 reports of theft, 48 reports of vehicle theft, 66 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 16 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Satsuma Population: 6,328 828 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 160 Property Crime / 100k: 669 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121

Satsuma ranks as the seventh safest city in Alabama and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 121 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.16 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Satsuma’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Alabama.

Monroeville Population: 5,977 829 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 212 Property Crime / 100k: 618 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Monroeville is the 8th safest city in Alabama. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 94% lower than the Alabama average, reporting a total of 829 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Mountain Brook Population: 20,597 838 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 65 Property Crime / 100k: 773 chance of being a victim: 1 in 119

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Mountain Brook is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Alabama, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 838 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 79% lower than the state average.

Pelham Population: 24,223 893 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 165 Property Crime / 100k: 728 chance of being a victim: 1 in 112

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Alabama, is Pelham. With a low rate of crime that included 59 burglaries, 602 thefts, 67 vehicle thefts, 142 assaults, 12 robberies, 12 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 75% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Alabama

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Margaret	5,011	0	105	105
2	Southside	8,981	104	322	425
3	Rainsville	5,165	17	427	445
4	Helena	19,288	71	436	507
5	Tuscumbia	8,741	65	445	510
6	Vestavia Hills	35,269	82	645	728
7	Satsuma	6,328	160	669	828
8	Monroeville	5,977	212	618	829
9	Mountain Brook	20,597	65	773	838
10	Pelham	24,223	165	728	893
11	Daphne	27,160	54	845	899
12	Midfield	5,127	368	614	983
13	Moody	13,428	175	838	1,013
14	Rainbow City	9,794	87	926	1,013
15	Pleasant Grove	9,886	161	856	1,017
16	Auburn	67,890	107	979	1,086
17	Montevallo	7,009	140	990	1,130
18	Fairhope	22,887	109	1,152	1,261
19	Hoover	88,027	78	1,257	1,335
20	Spanish Fort	9,251	89	1,366	1,455
21	Wetumpka	8,530	166	1,311	1,476
22	Madison	52,584	211	1,327	1,538
23	Calera	14,874	235	1,328	1,563
24	Irondale	13,506	177	1,403	1,581
25	Alabaster	34,559	99	1,511	1,610
26	Foley	20,043	193	1,529	1,722
27	Fort Payne	14,361	160	1,615	1,775
28	Gardendale	14,518	192	1,593	1,785
29	Saraland	15,028	85	1,703	1,787
30	Hamilton	6,853	187	1,738	1,924
31	Scottsboro	14,746	201	1,773	1,974
32	Albertville	22,354	237	1,760	1,996
33	Bay Minette	9,545	414	1,632	2,046
34	Gulf Shores	12,877	287	1,792	2,079
35	Homewood	25,716	151	1,955	2,105
36	Russellville	10,174	112	1,995	2,107
37	Trussville	23,122	137	1,973	2,110
38	Prattville	37,437	226	1,891	2,117
39	Orange Beach	6,366	357	1,845	2,202
40	Opp	6,547	222	2,041	2,263
41	Jacksonville	13,194	608	1,661	2,268
42	Athens	27,586	243	2,069	2,313
43	Sheffield	9,116	517	1,897	2,414
44	Mobile	197,324	752	1,674	2,426
45	Pell City	14,541	295	2,204	2,498
46	Chickasaw	5,954	434	2,152	2,586
47	Tuskegee	8,678	827	1,818	2,645
48	Florence	41,756	629	2,017	2,646
49	Lincoln	7,002	388	2,278	2,667
50	Cullman	16,694	215	2,467	2,682

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest 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 (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Alabama cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.