Safest cities in Alabama

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.

Southside Population: 8,801 273 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 231 chance of being a victim: 1 in 366

Southside proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Alabama. With only 273 crimes per 100,000 people, Southside has a crime rate that is 90% lower than the Alabama average. This equates to an average of 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 366 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.

Rainsville Population: 5,038 299 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 70 Property Crime / 100k: 229 chance of being a victim: 1 in 334

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Rainsville comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Alabama with a crime rate of 299 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 176 counts of theft, 53 counts of vehicle theft, 35 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 35 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Rainsville, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Tuscumbia Population: 8,445 308 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 308 chance of being a victim: 1 in 324

With a population of 8,445 and a total crime rate of 308 per 100,000 residents, Tuscumbia is the 3rd safest city in Alabama. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 91% 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.

Satsuma Population: 6,163 499 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 440 chance of being a victim: 1 in 200

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Satsuma 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 499, 93% lower than the Alabama average. This amounts to 0.09 crimes per day and a 1 in 200 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 Satsuma a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Glencoe Population: 5,125 536 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 74 Property Crime / 100k: 462 chance of being a victim: 1 in 186

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Glencoe consistently ranks high in safety. In Glencoe, 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 536, which is 95% lower than the state average.

Helena Population: 18,631 654 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 95 Property Crime / 100k: 558 chance of being a victim: 1 in 153

Helena 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 654 crimes per 100,000 people, 78% lower than the Alabama average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 73 reports of burglary, 422 reports of theft, 64 reports of vehicle theft, 73 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 14 reports of rape and 9 reports of homicide.

Vestavia Hills Population: 34,482 807 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 78 Property Crime / 100k: 730 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124

Vestavia Hills ranks as the seventh safest city in Alabama and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 124 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.85 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. Vestavia Hills’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Alabama.

Mountain Brook Population: 20,178 968 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 940 chance of being a victim: 1 in 103

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Mountain Brook is the 8th safest city in Alabama. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 78% lower than the Alabama average, reporting a total of 968 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.

Montevallo Population: 6,829 1,064 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 93 Property Crime / 100k: 971 chance of being a victim: 1 in 94

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Montevallo 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 1,064 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Moody Population: 13,004 1,176 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 166 Property Crime / 100k: 1,010 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Alabama, is Moody. With a low rate of crime that included 87 burglaries, 685 thefts, 238 vehicle thefts, 123 assaults, 7 robberies, 22 rapes and 14 homicides, the overall crime rate was 86% 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	Southside	8,801	42	231	273
2	Rainsville	5,038	70	229	299
3	Tuscumbia	8,445	0	308	308
4	Satsuma	6,163	59	440	499
5	Glencoe	5,125	74	462	536
6	Helena	18,631	95	558	654
7	Vestavia Hills	34,482	78	730	807
8	Mountain Brook	20,178	27	940	968
9	Montevallo	6,829	93	971	1,064
10	Moody	13,004	166	1,010	1,176
11	Pleasant Grove	9,625	233	984	1,216
12	Hartselle	14,421	192	1,030	1,222
13	Rainbow City	9,601	108	1,153	1,261
14	Auburn	65,508	131	1,160	1,292
15	Daphne	26,578	74	1,222	1,296
16	Homewood	25,170	74	1,322	1,396
17	Pelham	23,707	132	1,320	1,453
18	Hoover	85,386	97	1,560	1,657
19	Fairhope	22,035	181	1,533	1,714
20	Spanish Fort	8,991	37	1,731	1,768
21	Huntsville	199,845	299	1,506	1,805
22	Fort Payne	14,063	148	1,785	1,933
23	Northport	25,970	356	1,644	2,000
24	Saraland	14,561	140	1,938	2,078
25	Bay Minette	9,297	513	1,613	2,125
26	Alabaster	33,373	97	2,096	2,193
27	Leeds	12,555	328	1,893	2,220
28	Chickasaw	5,757	426	1,863	2,290
29	Russellville	9,803	241	2,090	2,331
30	Selma	17,762	769	1,619	2,388
31	Tuskegee	8,443	953	1,512	2,465
32	Foley	19,337	161	2,345	2,505
33	Daleville	5,125	492	2,030	2,523
34	Gardendale	14,021	362	2,171	2,532
35	Opp	6,405	467	2,108	2,575
36	Prattville	36,599	274	2,314	2,588
37	Pell City	14,081	294	2,300	2,594
38	Millbrook	16,037	182	2,442	2,624
39	Lincoln	6,805	469	2,260	2,729
40	Gulf Shores	12,550	332	2,421	2,753
41	Trussville	22,590	154	2,605	2,760
42	Orange Beach	6,130	375	2,415	2,790
43	Muscle Shoals	14,379	361	2,441	2,802
44	Irondale	13,068	281	2,543	2,824
45	Athens	26,686	207	2,690	2,898
46	Jacksonville	12,796	921	1,996	2,917
47	Troy	18,995	414	2,511	2,925
48	Prichard	21,618	829	2,107	2,936
49	Fultondale	9,247	155	2,794	2,949
50	Eufaula	11,878	455	2,522	2,977

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

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

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.