| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Bessemer/100k people | Alabama/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,192 | n/a (estimate) | 8,867 | 1,925 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 11 | n/a | 44.5 | 8.7 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 15 | n/a | 60.7 | 25.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 40 | n/a | 161.8 | 34.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 365 | n/a | 1,476.5 | 291.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 431 | n/a (estimate) | 1,744 | 360 | 359 |
| Burglary | 284 | n/a | 1,148.9 | 243.5 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,252 | n/a | 5,064.7 | 1,148.5 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 225 | n/a | 910.2 | 173.0 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,761 | n/a (estimate) | 7,124 | 1,565 | 1,760 |
The Bessemer crime rates are 318.4% 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 431 violent crimes in Bessemer (1744 per 100,000 people), which is 385.5% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1761 property crimes (7124 per 100,000 residents) which is 304.7% higher than average.
In Bessemer, the crime rate stands at 8867 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 318.43%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Bessemer that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
With a violent crime rate of 1744 crimes per 100,000 residents, Bessemer is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Bessemer ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Bessemer stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Bessemer, there were a total of 11 murders, translating to 44 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
With a property crime rate of 7124 crimes per 100,000 people, Bessemer unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Bessemer is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 15, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.
With a total of 225 vehicle thefts last year, Bessemer has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 910 per 100,000 people. This lands Bessemer in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 110.
What do the local residents think about crime in Bessemer? Well, based on a recent survey of 36 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 22% of Bessemer residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 78% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Bessemer is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Bessemer has an overall crime rate that is 318% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 6.01 daily occurrences, comprising 1.18 violent crimes and 4.82 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Bessemer as a potential place to establish residency.
Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Bessemer crime rates. For instance, in Bessemer, the population density stands at 666.2 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
In Bessemer, 77.7% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
In Bessemer, the average rental rates are $1,144 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Bessemer | Alabama | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 141 | 9,968 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | n/a | 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 |
| Indian Springs Village, AL | 2,697 | 56 | 245 | 302 |
| Lake View, AL | 2,639 | 77 | 258 | 336 |
| Lipscomb, AL | 2,120 | 101 | 303 | 404 |
| Concord, AL | 1,636 | 89 | 387 | 476 |
| Helena, AL | 19,288 | 71 | 436 | 507 |
| Sylvan Springs, AL | 1,872 | 99 | 431 | 530 |
| Rock Creek, AL | 1,587 | 126 | 546 | 672 |
| Bessemer, AL | 27,005 | 1,744 | 7,124 | 8,867 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Clarksburg, MD | 27,008 | 210 | 1,023 | 1,233 |
| Orchards, WA | 26,999 | 324 | 2,451 | 2,775 |
| Sun City West, AZ | 27,025 | 254 | 1,079 | 1,333 |
| Smithtown, NY | 27,027 | 164 | 743 | 907 |
| East St. Louis, IL | 27,033 | 486 | 2,882 | 3,368 |
| Bessemer, AL | 27,005 | 1,744 | 7,124 | 8,867 |
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