Top 10 most dangerous cities in Alabama

Steeped in history and Southern tradition, this state offers a variety of cultural and natural attractions. Known for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement, it is home to significant landmarks such as the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. The diverse landscape ranges from the white sandy beaches of the Gulf Shores to the lush forests of the Appalachian foothills. Cities like Huntsville, with its U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and Mobile, known for its vibrant Mardi Gras celebrations, reflect the unique character of the state. However, amid its historical significance and natural beauty, certain areas face challenges in terms of safety. The most dangerous cities in Alabama are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where residents and visitors should remain vigilant. Despite these issues, Alabama's blend of cultural heritage, natural beauty, and Southern hospitality continues to attract those who appreciate its deep history and dynamic communities.

Within Alabama, the issue of safety remains a concern for both residents and visitors. Urban areas, in particular, tend to have higher crime rates compared to rural regions. The state’s efforts to address these concerns include community policing initiatives and various social programs aimed at reducing violence. Nevertheless, awareness and caution are advised, especially in the most dangerous cities in Alabama. These areas, while challenged by higher crime rates, also present opportunities for improvement and revitalization, showcasing the resilience and potential for positive change within the community.

Tarrant Population: 6,216 2,520 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 6.90 chance of being a victim: 1 in 40 Total Crimes / 100k: 7,086

Tarrant, AL holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Alabama with 2,520 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (2,215), robbery (254), rape (51) and homicide (0) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 516% higher than the Alabama average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Bessemer Population: 26,063 1,821 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.99 chance of being a victim: 1 in 55 Total Crimes / 100k: 9,230

The second most dangerous city is Bessemer. With a population of 26,063 and a violent crime rate that is 345% higher than the Alabama average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Bessemer are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,821 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 55 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Birmingham Population: 210,928 1,682 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.61 chance of being a victim: 1 in 59 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,854

Home to 210,928 residents, Birmingham, AL ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Alabama. Unfortunately for residents of Birmingham, crime is widespread, with more than 1,682 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 4.61 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 311% higher than the Alabama violent crime rate.

Atmore Population: 9,269 1,488 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.08 chance of being a victim: 1 in 67 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,764

With a violent crime rate that is 264% higher than the Alabama average, it's not hard to see why Atmore made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (35), assault (1,371), rape (82) and homicide (0). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Atmore more vulnerable to high crime.

Dothan Population: 68,608 1,052 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.88 chance of being a victim: 1 in 95 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,825

The ongoing battle with crime in Dothan, AL, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 1,052 and a 1 in 95 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Dothan has a violent crime rate that is 157% higher than the Alabama average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Dothan.

Tuskegee Population: 8,443 953 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.61 chance of being a victim: 1 in 105 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,465

Tuskegee, AL comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 953 per 100,000 people, which is 133% higher than the Alabama average. Tuskegee has a population of 8,443, which translates to 2.61 crimes per day and 1 in 105 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Tuskegee which are much safer than others.

Mobile Population: 189,994 927 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.54 chance of being a victim: 1 in 108 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,940

A 1 in 108 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.54 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Mobile makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 927 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 127% higher than the Alabama average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (801), robbery (56), rape (52) and homicide (17).

Jacksonville Population: 12,796 921 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.52 chance of being a victim: 1 in 109 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,917

Jacksonville, AL is another one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 12,796 and a violent crime rate of 921 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 875 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 46 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. All told, the Jacksonville violent crime rate is 125% higher than the Alabama average.

Monroeville Population: 5,812 897 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.46 chance of being a victim: 1 in 111 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,278

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Monroeville, AL comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Alabama with a violent crime rate of 897 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.46 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 111 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Phenix City Population: 36,461 877 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.40 chance of being a victim: 1 in 114 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,575

Rounding out our list at #10 is Phenix City, AL. With a population of 36,461 and a violent crime rate of 877 per 100,000 people (114% higher than the Alabama average), some parts of Phenix City are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 706 counts of assault, 81 counts of robbery, 63 counts of rape and 26 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 114 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Alabama

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Tarrant	6,216	2,520	7,086
2	Bessemer	26,063	1,821	9,230
3	Birmingham	210,928	1,682	5,854
4	Atmore	9,269	1,488	5,764
5	Dothan	68,608	1,052	4,825
6	Tuskegee	8,443	953	2,465
7	Mobile	189,994	927	3,940
8	Jacksonville	12,796	921	2,917
9	Monroeville	5,812	897	3,278
10	Phenix City	36,461	877	4,575
11	Brewton	5,210	876	3,695
12	Anniston	21,518	843	6,326
13	Prichard	21,618	829	2,936
14	Opelika	30,589	809	3,549
15	Alexander City	14,515	794	5,423
16	Selma	17,762	769	2,388
17	Demopolis	6,724	726	3,980
18	Talladega	15,405	647	3,088
19	Tuscaloosa	100,633	638	3,520
20	Sylacauga	12,132	606	3,884
21	Florence	40,652	582	3,227
22	Enterprise	28,170	575	3,010
23	Gadsden	35,224	564	4,448
24	Clanton	8,719	534	5,001
25	Ozark	14,350	525	3,958
26	Valley	9,195	516	4,181
27	Bay Minette	9,297	513	2,125
28	Lanett	6,220	506	3,201
29	Daleville	5,125	492	2,523
30	Andalusia	8,719	483	4,460
31	Lincoln	6,805	469	2,729
32	Opp	6,405	467	2,575
33	Eufaula	11,878	455	2,977
34	Hueytown	15,446	429	3,795
35	Chickasaw	5,757	426	2,290
36	Jasper	13,584	419	5,150
37	Decatur	54,344	418	3,014
38	Troy	18,995	414	2,925
39	Attalla	5,885	377	8,253
40	Orange Beach	6,130	375	2,790
41	Gardendale	14,021	362	2,532
42	Muscle Shoals	14,379	361	2,802
43	Northport	25,970	356	2,000
44	Robertsdale	6,776	337	5,804
45	Gulf Shores	12,550	332	2,753
46	Leeds	12,555	328	2,220
47	Arab	8,405	327	3,719
48	Guntersville	8,531	327	3,432
49	Huntsville	199,845	299	1,805
50	Pell City	14,081	294	2,594

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Alabama is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Alabama cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.