Safest cities in Alabama

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Referred to as the 'Heart of Dixie,' Alabama is a state brimming with diverse landscapes and rich historical significance. Nestled in the southeastern United States, Alabama boasts a mix of geographic features, from the Appalachian foothills in the north to the scenic Gulf Coast beaches in the south. The state's economy thrives on a blend of aerospace, automotive, agriculture, and manufacturing industries. Alabama is renowned for its cultural landmarks such as the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, which showcases its contributions to space exploration, and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, highlighting its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. The state's passion for sports, particularly college football, is legendary, with the fierce rivalry between the University of Alabama and Auburn University capturing the hearts of many.

The safest cities in Alabama are highly sought after due to their low crime rates, which significantly enhance overall livability. Safety is a fundamental aspect of a thriving community, providing residents with peace of mind and contributing to economic stability. Factors contributing to the safety of Alabama's cities include proactive community policing, robust neighborhood watch programs, and active citizen involvement. These cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, ensuring a reliable measure of safety. This commitment to security allows residents to fully enjoy Alabama's myriad of attractions and amenities without the constant worry of crime, making the state an attractive place to live.

Rainsville Population: 5,038 174 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 35 Property Crime / 100k: 139 chance of being a victim: 1 in 575

Rainsville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Alabama. With only 174 crimes per 100,000 people, Rainsville has a crime rate that is 94% lower than the Alabama average. This equates to an average of 0.03 crimes per day and a 1 in 575 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Southside Population: 8,801 323 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 63 Property Crime / 100k: 261 chance of being a victim: 1 in 310

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Southside comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Alabama with a crime rate of 323 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 31 counts of burglary, 208 counts of theft, 21 counts of vehicle theft, 31 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 31 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Southside, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Helena Population: 18,631 579 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 45 Property Crime / 100k: 534 chance of being a victim: 1 in 173

With a population of 18,631 and a total crime rate of 579 per 100,000 residents, Helena is the 3rd safest city in Alabama. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 78% lower than the Alabama average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Tuscumbia Population: 8,445 656 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 87 Property Crime / 100k: 569 chance of being a victim: 1 in 152

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Tuscumbia is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 656, 91% lower than the Alabama average. This amounts to 0.16 crimes per day and a 1 in 152 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Tuscumbia a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Huntsville Population: 199,845 835 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 130 Property Crime / 100k: 705 chance of being a victim: 1 in 120

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Huntsville consistently ranks high in safety. In Huntsville, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 835, which is 125% higher than the state average.

Vestavia Hills Population: 34,482 932 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 77 Property Crime / 100k: 855 chance of being a victim: 1 in 107

Vestavia Hills has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Alabama. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 932 crimes per 100,000 people, 62% lower than the Alabama average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 42 reports of burglary, 684 reports of theft, 129 reports of vehicle theft, 66 reports of assault, 8 reports of robbery, 3 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Satsuma Population: 6,163 952 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 117 Property Crime / 100k: 835 chance of being a victim: 1 in 105

Satsuma ranks as the seventh safest city in Alabama and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 105 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.18 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Satsuma’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Alabama.

Montevallo Population: 6,829 994 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 140 Property Crime / 100k: 853 chance of being a victim: 1 in 101

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Montevallo is the 8th safest city in Alabama. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 92% lower than the Alabama average, reporting a total of 994 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Madison Population: 50,717 1,043 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 118 Property Crime / 100k: 925 chance of being a victim: 1 in 96

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Madison is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Alabama, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,043 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 39% lower than the state average.

Mountain Brook Population: 20,178 1,061 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 65 Property Crime / 100k: 996 chance of being a victim: 1 in 94

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Alabama, is Mountain Brook. With a low rate of crime that included 106 burglaries, 835 thefts, 55 vehicle thefts, 42 assaults, 9 robberies, 9 rapes and 5 homicides, the overall crime rate was 78% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Alabama

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Rainsville	5,038	35	139	174
2	Southside	8,801	63	261	323
3	Helena	18,631	45	534	579
4	Tuscumbia	8,445	87	569	656
5	Huntsville	199,845	130	705	835
6	Vestavia Hills	34,482	77	855	932
7	Satsuma	6,163	117	835	952
8	Montevallo	6,829	140	853	994
9	Madison	50,717	118	925	1,043
10	Mountain Brook	20,178	65	996	1,061
11	Moody	13,004	247	879	1,126
12	Daphne	26,578	49	1,149	1,198
13	Pelham	23,707	160	1,083	1,243
14	Auburn	65,508	177	1,129	1,306
15	Rainbow City	9,601	126	1,339	1,465
16	Hoover	85,386	78	1,423	1,501
17	Fairhope	22,035	180	1,328	1,508
18	Fort Payne	14,063	215	1,391	1,606
19	Calera	14,327	183	1,446	1,630
20	Alabaster	33,373	108	1,615	1,723
21	Foley	19,337	178	1,562	1,740
22	Sheffield	8,925	291	1,498	1,788
23	Wetumpka	8,282	268	1,541	1,809
24	Hartselle	14,421	152	1,658	1,811
25	Hamilton	6,662	129	1,682	1,811
26	Spanish Fort	8,991	119	1,693	1,812
27	Trussville	22,590	101	2,009	2,110
28	Albertville	21,620	297	1,813	2,110
29	Saraland	14,561	122	2,103	2,224
30	Pleasant Grove	9,625	160	2,074	2,234
31	Irondale	13,068	271	1,985	2,255
32	Northport	25,970	433	1,843	2,276
33	Pell City	14,081	344	2,011	2,355
34	Tuskegee	8,443	846	1,519	2,365
35	Prattville	36,599	257	2,148	2,405
36	Chickasaw	5,757	497	1,987	2,484
37	Russellville	9,803	102	2,469	2,571
38	Jacksonville	12,796	869	1,731	2,600
39	Homewood	25,170	171	2,448	2,619
40	Orange Beach	6,130	453	2,184	2,636
41	Gulf Shores	12,550	490	2,152	2,643
42	Leeds	12,555	429	2,291	2,720
43	Gardendale	14,021	318	2,414	2,732
44	Hueytown	15,446	526	2,209	2,734
45	Opp	6,405	388	2,357	2,745
46	Robertsdale	6,776	323	2,425	2,749
47	Selma	17,762	823	1,935	2,759
48	Monroeville	5,812	594	2,166	2,760
49	Fultondale	9,247	303	2,463	2,766
50	Athens	26,686	221	2,571	2,792

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest 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 (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Alabama cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.