| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Athens/100k people | Alabama/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 760 | n/a (estimate) | 2,313 | 1,925 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 2 | n/a | 6.1 | 8.7 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 3 | n/a | 9.1 | 25.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 6 | n/a | 18.3 | 34.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 69 | n/a | 210.0 | 291.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 80 | n/a (estimate) | 243 | 360 | 359 |
| Burglary | 91 | n/a | 276.9 | 243.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 531 | n/a | 1,615.8 | 1,148.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 58 | n/a | 176.5 | 173.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 680 | n/a (estimate) | 2,069 | 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 Athens is 9.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 80 violent crimes reported in Athens, equivalent to 243 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 32.2%. Additionally, Athens recorded 680 property crimes, amounting to 2069 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 17.6%.
When assessing the overall crime rate in Athens per 100,000 people, it stands in the median range among all cities with reported crime data. Our analysis of total incidents, encompassing both violent and property crimes, underscores the close alignment of reported Athens crime rates with the national average as reported by other areas.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Athens. Based on the results of the surveys (18 responses), 67% of people felt that there was very little crime in Athens and felt safe walking alone at night. While 33% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Athens a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Athens crime rate is 9% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.08 crimes per day - 0.22 violent crimes and 1.86 property crimes.
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 Athens 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 Athens has increased by 128.2% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 344.4% and property crime has increased by 115.9%.
Athens reports an unemployment rate of 3.6%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Athens crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Athens has a median home price of $313,518, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Athens, the average rental rates are $989 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.
| Item | Athens | Alabama | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 55 | 9,968 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.4 | 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 |
| Hillsboro, AL | 613 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Triana, AL | 2,374 | 59 | 374 | 433 |
| Harvest, AL | 5,861 | 141 | 613 | 754 |
| Mooresville, AL | 89 | 145 | 632 | 778 |
| Trinity, AL | 2,678 | 39 | 1,124 | 1,162 |
| Ardmore, AL | 1,388 | 138 | 1,378 | 1,516 |
| Madison, AL | 52,584 | 211 | 1,327 | 1,538 |
| Athens, AL | 27,586 | 243 | 2,069 | 2,313 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Brownsburg, IN | 27,585 | 63 | 600 | 663 |
| Prior Lake, MN | 27,582 | 107 | 1,072 | 1,179 |
| Leisure City, FL | 27,592 | 311 | 1,655 | 1,966 |
| West Islip, NY | 27,610 | 193 | 876 | 1,069 |
| Norco, CA | 27,611 | 146 | 2,543 | 2,688 |
| Athens, AL | 27,586 | 243 | 2,069 | 2,313 |