F
172%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
128%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
181%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleAnniston/100k peopleAlabama/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,329n/a (estimate)6,3262,1482,324
Murder4n/a19.010.96.3
Rape11n/a52.429.640.0
Robbery17n/a80.934.566.1
Assault145n/a690.2334.1268.2
Violent crime177n/a (estimate)843409370
Burglary246n/a1,171.0283.9269.8
Theft766n/a3,646.41,252.71,401.9
Vehicle theft140n/a666.4202.3282.7
Property crime1,152n/a (estimate)5,4841,7391,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Anniston, AL

The Anniston crime rates are 172.2% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 177 violent crimes in Anniston (843 per 100,000 people), which is 127.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1152 property crimes (5484 per 100,000 residents) which is 180.6% higher than average.

Having a crime rate of 6326 per 100,000 residents, Anniston experiences a crime rate that is 172.2% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Anniston contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Anniston has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 843 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Anniston falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 119 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Anniston is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 4 murders in Anniston, which equates to 19 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Anniston being a very dangerous place to live.

Anniston has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 5484 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 19, which is far higher than the national average.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Anniston ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 140 vehicle thefts, amounting to 666 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Anniston within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 151.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Anniston?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Anniston residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 105 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 16% of Anniston residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 84% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Anniston a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Anniston is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Anniston has a total crime rate that is 172% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 3.64 daily crimes (0.48 violent daily crimes and 3.16 daily property crimes) in Anniston.

Has Crime in Anniston Increased Since Last Year?

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 increased by 5.8% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 9.3% and property crime has increased by 5.3%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Anniston

Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Anniston crime rates. Anniston registers a population density of 469.6 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Anniston, the cost of living is 17.96% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Anniston, the average monthly rent stands at $734, while the national average is $949 per month.

Anniston crime map



The Anniston crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Anniston as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Anniston crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Anniston crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Anniston crime rates are 172% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Anniston are 128% higher than the national average
      • In Anniston you have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Anniston is safer than 3% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Anniston has increased by 5%

      Anniston, AL Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Anniston

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        Daily Crime In Anniston (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Anniston, AL per 100,000 people. In Anniston, the total number of daily crimes is 2.95 times more than the Alabama average and 2.72 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Anniston is 2.06 times more than the Alabama average and 2.28 times more than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Anniston has a daily crime rate that is 3.15 times more than the Alabama average and 2.81 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Anniston (higher is better)

        Are people any safer living in Anniston in comparison to other Alabama communities and all other areas throughout the United States? When we look at all cities across America, is Anniston safe? The evidence provided by these graphs show Anniston being safer than 3% of cities in Alabama and 3% of cities across the United States. This is evident by tracking Alabama cities as well as all US cities over a one year period to contrast crime statistics as they relate to Anniston. In conclusion, Anniston ranks below average compared to the rest of the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Anniston

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Anniston is 1 in 119
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Anniston is 1 in 19
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Anniston is 1 in 16
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Anniston? In Anniston, AL you have a 1 in 119 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 16 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Anniston.

        Year Over Year Crime In Anniston (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Anniston is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Anniston violent crime rates have increased by 9%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 5% year over year. Total crimes for Anniston has increased by 5% in the same time frame.

        Anniston police department

        Item Anniston Alabama National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1299,968558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents5.64.13.3
        There are a total of 129 Anniston police officers. This results in 5.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 37.8% greater than the Alabama average and 72.1% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Alabama

        State Total offenders Alabama /100K National /100K
        Alabama10,698231266
        There are a total of 10,698 sex offenders in Alabama. This yields a total of 231 sex offenders in Alabama per 100,000 residents which is 13% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Choccolocco, AL3,24683354437
        Munford, AL1,4651958281,022
        Alexandria, AL4,1852048671,071
        Heflin, AL3,453591,1461,205
        West End-Cobb Town, AL3,4922631,1181,381
        White Plains, AL5413551,5101,866
        Nances Creek, AL3804321,8362,268
        Anniston, AL21,5188435,4846,326

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Darien, CT21,519281,3501,378
        Klamath Falls, OR21,5095112,5833,094
        Massapequa, NY21,5312058221,027
        Biddeford, ME21,5023362,8663,201
        Kapolei, HI21,5412952,7593,054
        Anniston, AL21,5188435,4846,326
        Source: The Anniston, AL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.