C+
9%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
32%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
18%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleAthens/100k peopleAlabama/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime760n/a (estimate)2,3131,9252,119
Murder2n/a6.18.75.0
Rape3n/a9.125.837.5
Robbery6n/a18.334.060.6
Assault69n/a210.0291.4256.1
Violent crime80n/a (estimate)243360359
Burglary91n/a276.9243.5229.2
Theft531n/a1,615.81,148.51,272.1
Vehicle theft58n/a176.5173.0258.8
Property crime680n/a (estimate)2,0691,5651,760

Athens crime map

Get this widget

The Athens crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Athens 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 Athens crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Athens 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.
Get Crime Data Within A 1-Mile Radius! Local Insights Report
  • View detailed crime data near your address
  • Use local crime insights to avoid risky areas
  • Get hyperlocal crime stats, not city averages
* Crime data not available for every address.
Local Insights Report

An Overview of Crime Rates in Athens, AL

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.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Athens?

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.

Is Athens a Safe Place to Live?

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.

Has Crime in Athens 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 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%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Athens

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.

Compare Athens, AL Crime

City Image
    City Default Image
      vs

      Crime Quick Facts

      • Athens crime rates are 9% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Athens are 32% lower than the national average
      • In Athens you have a 1 in 44 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Athens is safer than 32% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Athens has decreased by 17%

      Athens, AL Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Athens

        See all the best places to live around Athens
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Athens?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Athens?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Athens poll results

        Daily Crime In Athens (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Athens on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Alabama and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Athens (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Alabama, are 1.20 times more than the state average and 1.09 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Athens on a daily basis are 1.48 times less than than Alabama average and 1.48 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Athens are 1.32 times more than the daily state average and 1.18 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Athens (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Athens, Alabama compared to other areas of Alabama, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Athens safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Athens is safer than 42% of Alabama cities, and 32% compared to all other cities across America. These statistics are calculated by taking a closer look at each city's crime rate in Alabama, as well as the rest of the US. It is then determined which cities see less crime than Athens. At this time, Athens sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Athens

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Athens is 1 in 411
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Athens is 1 in 49
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Athens is 1 in 44
        Are you worried about becoming a crime victim? In Athens, your chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 411. Types of violent crimes may include assault, robbery, rape, or murder. You also have a 1 in 49 chance of being the victim of a property crime such as vehicle theft, personal property theft, and burglary. Your overall risk of becoming a crime victim in Athens is 1 in 44.

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

        Determining whether Athens is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Athens violent crime rates have increased by 10%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 20% year over year. Total crimes for Athens has decreased by 17% in the same time frame.

        Athens police department

        Item Athens Alabama National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)559,968558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.44.13.3
        There are a total of 55 Athens police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 40.3% less than the Alabama average and 25.4% less 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
        Hillsboro, AL613000
        Triana, AL2,37459374433
        Harvest, AL5,861141613754
        Mooresville, AL89145632778
        Trinity, AL2,678391,1241,162
        Ardmore, AL1,3881381,3781,516
        Madison, AL52,5842111,3271,538
        Athens, AL27,5862432,0692,313

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Brownsburg, IN27,58563600663
        Prior Lake, MN27,5821071,0721,179
        Leisure City, FL27,5923111,6551,966
        West Islip, NY27,6101938761,069
        Norco, CA27,6111462,5432,688
        Athens, AL27,5862432,0692,313
        Source: The Athens, AL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. 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.