F
297%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
392%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
279%
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 peopleBessemer/100k peopleAlabama/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime2,332n/a (estimate)9,2302,1482,324
Murder10n/a39.610.96.3
Rape15n/a59.429.640.0
Robbery75n/a296.934.566.1
Assault360n/a1,424.9334.1268.2
Violent crime460n/a (estimate)1,821409370
Burglary211n/a835.1283.9269.8
Theft1,382n/a5,470.01,252.71,401.9
Vehicle theft279n/a1,104.3202.3282.7
Property crime1,872n/a (estimate)7,4091,7391,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bessemer, 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 Bessemer is 297.1% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 460 violent crimes reported in Bessemer, equivalent to 1821 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 392.4%. Additionally, Bessemer recorded 1872 property crimes, amounting to 7409 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 279.1%.

Bessemer has a crime rate of 9230 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 297.13%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Bessemer. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

With a violent crime rate of 1821 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 55 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.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Bessemer is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 10 murders in Bessemer, which equates to 40 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Bessemer being a very dangerous place to live.

Bessemer faces some of the nation's most elevated property crime rates, recording 7409 incidents per 100,000 people. This places the city among the worst 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Regrettably, the likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Bessemer stands at 1 in 14, significantly surpassing the national average. These statistics underscore the imperative need for bolstered community safety measures to mitigate property crimes and enhance the well-being of its residents.

Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Bessemer ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 279 vehicle thefts, amounting to 1104 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Bessemer 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 91.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bessemer?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Bessemer. Based on the results of the surveys (31 responses), 23% of people felt that there was very little crime in Bessemer and felt safe walking alone at night. While 77% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Bessemer a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Bessemer 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 Bessemer crime rate is 297% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 6.39 crimes per day - 1.26 violent crimes and 5.13 property crimes.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bessemer

Bessemer has a poverty rate of 25.9, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

In Bessemer, the cost of living is 15.75% lower than the national average. A high cost of living can induce economic stress for locals, especially those with limited financial resources. When people grapple with soaring housing expenses, utility bills, healthcare costs, and other essential necessities, they may be driven towards criminal activities, including theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities boasting a lower cost of living may mitigate economic pressures and potentially result in reduced crime rates.

In Bessemer, the median home price stands at $100,100, diverging from the national average of $184,700. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.

Bessemer crime map



The Bessemer crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Bessemer 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 Bessemer crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Bessemer 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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Compare Bessemer, AL Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Bessemer crime rates are 297% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Bessemer are 392% higher than the national average
      • In Bessemer you have a 1 in 11 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Bessemer is safer than 0% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Bessemer has increased by 153%

      Bessemer, AL Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Bessemer (per 100,000 people)

        The number of daily crimes per 100,000 residents in Bessemer, Alabama is displayed in the graph above. As you can see, the daily crimes for Bessemer are 4.30 times more than the Alabama average and 3.97 times more than the national level. Daily violent crimes in Bessemer are 4.45 times more than than Alabama and 4.92 times more than the national mean. While daily property crimes in Bessemer are 4.26 times more than than Alabama and 3.79 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Bessemer (higher is better)

        What are the odds that you'll be safer in Bessemer, Alabama compared to other areas of Alabama, as well as the rest of America? When it comes down to it, is Bessemer safe? In the graphs above, it shows that Bessemer is safer than 0% of Alabama cities, and 0% 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 Bessemer. At this time, Bessemer sees a below average rate of crime in comparison to other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Bessemer

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Bessemer is 1 in 55
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Bessemer is 1 in 14
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Bessemer is 1 in 11
        Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Bessemer? If you reside in Bessemer, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 55. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 14 change that you will become a victim of a property crime. These sorts of crimes against personal property include: burglary, theft, and auto theft. In total, the likelihood of being victimized by a crime in Bessemer, is 1 in 11.

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

        Determining whether Bessemer is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Bessemer violent crime rates have increased by 185%. At the same time, property crime has increased by 146% year over year. Total crimes for Bessemer has increased by 153% in the same time frame.

        Bessemer police department

        Item Bessemer Alabama National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1419,968558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residentsn/a4.13.3

        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
        Lipscomb, AL2,0559999198
        Indian Springs Village, AL2,61864273337
        Helena, AL18,63195558654
        Sylvan Springs, AL1,832128545673
        Lake View, AL2,56981593674
        Concord, AL1,575130553683
        Meadowbrook, AL10,110144610754
        Bessemer, AL26,0631,8217,4099,230

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Wethersfield, CT26,068961,4981,594
        Milford, MA26,072148669817
        Terrytown, LA26,0446983,0513,750
        Deer Park, NY26,0434091,6432,053
        Neenah, WI26,0832311,2701,501
        Bessemer, AL26,0631,8217,4099,230
        Source: The Bessemer, 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.