| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Gadsden/100k people | Alabama/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,493 | n/a (estimate) | 4,515 | 2,103 | 2,281 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 12.1 | 10.3 | 5.7 |
| Rape | 13 | n/a | 39.3 | 29.6 | 38.0 |
| Robbery | 28 | n/a | 84.7 | 35.9 | 66.5 |
| Assault | 163 | n/a | 492.9 | 328.2 | 264.1 |
| Violent crime | 208 | n/a (estimate) | 629 | 404 | 364 |
| Burglary | 187 | n/a | 565.5 | 254.7 | 250.7 |
| Theft | 972 | n/a | 2,939.5 | 1,239.8 | 1,347.2 |
| Vehicle theft | 126 | n/a | 381.0 | 204.6 | 318.7 |
| Property crime | 1,285 | n/a (estimate) | 3,886 | 1,699 | 1,917 |
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 Gadsden is 91.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 189 violent crimes reported in Gadsden, equivalent to 564 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 52.5%. Additionally, Gadsden recorded 1302 property crimes, amounting to 3884 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 98.7%.
With a crime rate of 4448 per 100,000 residents, Gadsden has a crime rate that is 91.38% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Gadsden that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Gadsden stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Gadsden, there were a total of 6 murders, translating to 18 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
Gadsden has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3884 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Gadsden is 1 in 26, which is far higher than the national average.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and Gadsden ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 141 vehicle thefts, amounting to 421 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Gadsden 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 238.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Gadsden. Based on the results of the surveys (32 responses), 34% of people felt that there was very little crime in Gadsden and felt safe walking alone at night. While 66% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Gadsden is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Gadsden has a total crime rate that is 91% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 4.08 daily crimes (0.52 violent daily crimes and 3.57 daily property crimes) in Gadsden.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Gadsden. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Gadsden has decreased by 52.9%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 64.7%, while property crime has decreased by 50.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Gadsden.
In Gadsden, the current unemployment rate stands at 4.2%, diverging from the national average of 4.7%. The availability of job opportunities is a pivotal factor influencing unemployment and underemployment rates. Communities where individuals contend with limited employment prospects or a preponderance of low-wage positions may witness elevated rates of joblessness and income inadequacy, which can contribute to heightened crime levels driven by financial insecurity. Conversely, areas characterized by robust employment rates often experience a reduction in overall Gadsden crime rates.
In Gadsden, 70.6% 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.
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 Gadsden stands at $80,400, a contrast to the national average of $184,700.
| Item | Gadsden | Alabama | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 133 | 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 |
| Southside, AL | 8,801 | 63 | 261 | 323 |
| New Union, AL | 1,008 | 123 | 519 | 642 |
| Hokes Bluff, AL | 4,253 | 153 | 632 | 785 |
| Ashville, AL | 2,309 | 42 | 751 | 793 |
| Ballplay, AL | 1,522 | 163 | 684 | 846 |
| Coats Bend, AL | 1,063 | 163 | 687 | 851 |
| Steele, AL | 1,133 | 170 | 713 | 883 |
| Gadsden, AL | 35,224 | 629 | 3,886 | 4,515 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Menlo Park, CA | 35,211 | 250 | 1,761 | 2,011 |
| Westmont, CA | 35,188 | 635 | 2,910 | 3,545 |
| Bell, CA | 35,301 | 694 | 1,670 | 2,364 |
| Tooele, UT | 35,313 | 376 | 1,866 | 2,241 |
| Buenaventura Lakes, FL | 35,117 | 316 | 1,651 | 1,967 |
| Gadsden, AL | 35,224 | 629 | 3,886 | 4,515 |
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