Decatur, AL Crime Rates: Stats & Map

Get crime, demographics and other data for any location in Decatur, AL

D

27%

Total crime NAT. AVG.

35%

Violent crime NAT. AVG.

26%

Property crime NAT. AVG.

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.

Statistic	Reported_incidents	_{/100k people}	Decatur_{/100k people}	Alabama_{/100k people}	National_{/100k people}
Total crime	1,684	n/a (estimate)	2,903	2,103	2,281
Murder	1	n/a	1.7	10.3	5.7
Rape	21	n/a	36.2	29.6	38.0
Robbery	42	n/a	72.4	35.9	66.5
Assault	220	n/a	379.3	328.2	264.1
Violent crime	284	n/a (estimate)	490	404	364
Burglary	157	n/a	270.7	254.7	250.7
Theft	1,085	n/a	1,870.5	1,239.8	1,347.2
Vehicle theft	158	n/a	272.4	204.6	318.7
Property crime	1,400	n/a (estimate)	2,414	1,699	1,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Decatur, AL

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Decatur is 29.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Decatur, there were 242 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 418 per 100,000 individuals, 13.2% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 1501 property crimes, amounting to 2595 per 100,000 residents, 32.8% higher than the U.S. average.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Decatur has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 418 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Decatur stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Decatur, there were a total of 12 murders, translating to 21 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Decatur?

AreaVibes surveyed 25 local residents in Decatur to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 36% of people answered that there was very little crime in Decatur and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 64% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Decatur a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Decatur 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 Decatur crime rate is 30% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 4.78 crimes per day - 0.66 violent crimes and 4.11 property crimes.

Has Crime in Decatur Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Decatur has decreased by 31.3% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Decatur is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 6.1%, while property crime has decreased by 35%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Decatur.

Potential Causes for Crime in Decatur

Decatur reports an unemployment rate of 3.2%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. 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 Decatur crime rates.

The quality of housing and neighborhood conditions can influence crime rates. Neglected or run-down neighborhoods with poorly maintained properties may be more susceptible to criminal activities. In areas with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves residing in cramped or inadequate housing settings, amplifying stress levels and potentially fostering domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. It's worth noting that the median home price in Decatur stands at $141,000, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.

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 Decatur, the average monthly rent stands at $692, while the national average is $949 per month.

Decatur crime map

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

Crime Quick Facts

Decatur crime rates are 27% higher than the national average
Violent crimes in Decatur are 35% higher than the national average
In Decatur you have a 1 in 35 chance of becoming a victim of crime
Decatur is safer than 20% of the cities in the United States
Year over year crime in Decatur has decreased by 4%

Decatur, AL Crime Quiz

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Daily Crime In Decatur (per 100,000 people)

The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Decatur, per 100,000 residents. In Decatur, the total number of daily crimes is 1.38 times more than the Alabama average and 1.27 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Decatur are 1.21 times more than the Alabama average and 1.35 times more than the national average. For property crime, Decatur has a daily crime rate that is 1.42 times more than the Alabama average and 1.26 times more than the daily national average.

How Safe is Decatur (higher is better)

How safe is Decatur, Alabama compared to other cities in Alabama and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Decatur is safer than 32% of the cities in Alabama and 20% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Alabama and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Decatur. Overall, Decatur is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Decatur

The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Decatur is 1 in 205

The chance of being a victim of property crime in Decatur is 1 in 42

The chance of being a victim of crime in Decatur is 1 in 35

Are you curious to know the likelihood of suffering from a crime in Decatur? If you reside in Decatur, the likelihood that you will become a victim of a violent crime is 1 in 205. Violent crimes include: murder, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. There is a 1 in 42 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 Decatur, is 1 in 35.

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

The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Decatur, AL is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Decatur has increased by 17%, while the property crime rate in Decatur has decreased by 7% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Decatur has decreased by 4% with regards to total crimes year over year.

Decatur police department

Item	Decatur	Alabama	National
Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)	156	9,968	558,732
Police officers & civilians /1000 residents	2.8	4.1	3.3

There are a total of 156 Decatur police officers. This results in 2.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 31.5% less than the Alabama average and 14.5% less than the National average.

Sex offenders in Alabama

State	Total offenders	Alabama_/100K	National_/100K
Alabama	10,698	231	266

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, AL	590	0	0	0
Triana, AL	2,323	110	505	615
Mooresville, AL	87	163	686	850
Priceville, AL	3,682	231	720	951
Madison, AL	50,717	118	925	1,043
Trinity, AL	2,593	117	1,329	1,446
Hartselle, AL	14,421	152	1,658	1,811
Decatur, AL	54,344	490	2,414	2,903

Cities with similar population

City	Population	Violent crime_{/100k people}	Property crime_{/100k people}	Total crime_{/100k people}
Rocky Mount, NC	54,330	876	3,267	4,144
Yucaipa, CA	54,358	628	2,875	3,503
Albany, OR	54,442	193	2,074	2,267
Westchester, FL	54,470	159	830	989
Colton, CA	54,215	401	3,294	3,694
Decatur, AL	54,344	490	2,414	2,903

Source: The Decatur, AL crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. 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.