Safest cities in Alabama

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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.

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Southside Population: 8,801 425 total crimes per 100k

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

Southside proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Alabama. With only 425 crimes per 100,000 people, Southside has a crime rate that is 90% lower than the Alabama average. This equates to an average of 0.11 crimes per day and a 1 in 235 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.

Rainsville Population: 5,038 445 total crimes per 100k

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

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Rainsville comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Alabama with a crime rate of 445 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 51 counts of burglary, 325 counts of theft, 51 counts of vehicle theft, 17 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Rainsville, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Helena Population: 18,631 507 total crimes per 100k

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

With a population of 18,631 and a total crime rate of 507 per 100,000 residents, Helena is the 3rd safest city in Alabama. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 78% 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.

Tuscumbia Population: 8,445 510 total crimes per 100k

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

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Tuscumbia 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 510, 91% lower than the Alabama average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 196 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 Tuscumbia a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Vestavia Hills Population: 34,482 728 total crimes per 100k

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

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Vestavia Hills consistently ranks high in safety. In Vestavia Hills, 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 728, which is 62% lower than the state average.

Satsuma Population: 6,163 828 total crimes per 100k

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

Satsuma 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 828 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Alabama average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 73 reports of burglary, 567 reports of theft, 29 reports of vehicle theft, 145 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 15 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Monroeville Population: 5,812 829 total crimes per 100k

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

Monroeville 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 0.13 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. Monroeville’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Alabama.

Mountain Brook Population: 20,178 838 total crimes per 100k

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

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Mountain Brook is the 8th safest city in Alabama. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 79% lower than the Alabama average, reporting a total of 838 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.

Pelham Population: 23,707 893 total crimes per 100k

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

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Pelham 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 893 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 75% lower than the state average.

Daphne Population: 26,578 899 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 54 Property Crime / 100k: 845 chance of being a victim: 1 in 111

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Alabama, is Daphne. With a low rate of crime that included 45 burglaries, 752 thefts, 48 vehicle thefts, 35 assaults, 6 robberies, 13 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 69% 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	Southside	8,801	104	322	425
2	Rainsville	5,038	17	427	445
3	Helena	18,631	71	436	507
4	Tuscumbia	8,445	65	445	510
5	Vestavia Hills	34,482	82	645	728
6	Satsuma	6,163	160	669	828
7	Monroeville	5,812	212	618	829
8	Mountain Brook	20,178	65	773	838
9	Pelham	23,707	165	728	893
10	Daphne	26,578	54	845	899
11	Moody	13,004	175	838	1,013
12	Rainbow City	9,601	87	926	1,013
13	Pleasant Grove	9,625	161	856	1,017
14	Auburn	65,508	107	979	1,086
15	Montevallo	6,829	140	990	1,130
16	Fairhope	22,035	109	1,152	1,261
17	Hoover	85,386	78	1,257	1,335
18	Spanish Fort	8,991	89	1,366	1,455
19	Wetumpka	8,282	166	1,311	1,476
20	Madison	50,717	211	1,327	1,538
21	Calera	14,327	235	1,328	1,563
22	Irondale	13,068	177	1,403	1,581
23	Alabaster	33,373	99	1,511	1,610
24	Foley	19,337	193	1,529	1,722
25	Fort Payne	14,063	160	1,615	1,775
26	Gardendale	14,021	192	1,593	1,785
27	Saraland	14,561	85	1,703	1,787
28	Hamilton	6,662	187	1,738	1,924
29	Scottsboro	14,452	201	1,773	1,974
30	Albertville	21,620	237	1,760	1,996
31	Bay Minette	9,297	414	1,632	2,046
32	Gulf Shores	12,550	287	1,792	2,079
33	Homewood	25,170	151	1,955	2,105
34	Russellville	9,803	112	1,995	2,107
35	Trussville	22,590	137	1,973	2,110
36	Prattville	36,599	226	1,891	2,117
37	Orange Beach	6,130	357	1,845	2,202
38	Opp	6,405	222	2,041	2,263
39	Jacksonville	12,796	608	1,661	2,268
40	Athens	26,686	243	2,069	2,313
41	Sheffield	8,925	517	1,897	2,414
42	Mobile	189,994	752	1,674	2,426
43	Pell City	14,081	295	2,204	2,498
44	Chickasaw	5,757	434	2,152	2,586
45	Tuskegee	8,443	827	1,818	2,645
46	Florence	40,652	629	2,017	2,646
47	Lincoln	6,805	388	2,278	2,667
48	Cullman	16,072	215	2,467	2,682
49	Prichard	21,618	632	2,142	2,774
50	Guntersville	8,531	305	2,472	2,777

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

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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.