Alabama’s cities are among the most dangerous in the country.
05 Aug 13:07
An true Alabama experience will reveal the city’s rich historical origins. This “heart of Dixie” is well recognised for being the scene of pivotal Civil Rights milestones with Dr. Martin Luther King and Rosa Parks. It is the birthplace of legends such as Helen Keller and Channing Tatum, as well as a fertile ground for musical icons such as the Rolling Stones.
Alabama’s love of college football, its status as the leading provider of cast-iron and steel pipe goods in the United States, and its status as the first state to develop a rocket to transport a human to the moon all contribute to the city’s grandeur and versatility. However, like in the past, certain neighbourhoods in this metropolis are more dangerous than others.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Alabama
These are a handful of Alabama’s most hazardous cities.
1. Anniston
This city has a population of 22,441 people and is located in the northeastern region of the state between Atlanta and Birmingham. Anniston has been designated as one of the worst cities in Alabama based on FBI crime figures for many years, including 2017, 2018, and 2019. Safewise, a home security firm, named the city the most unsafe in the United States in 2018.
The violent crime rate per 100,000 people was 2,992. It was just a minor decrease from 3,434 in 2017, which was the highest in any city in the United States at the time. Even having a visible police presence in town, violent crimes are 689 percent higher than the national average.
Anniston is safer than any other city in Alabama, with a one-in-ten risk of being a victim of a crime while visiting the city. As a result, it is best to limit walking, riding, sightseeing, and exploring activities to the daylight only. The women are urged to spend the night in one of the town’s recommended hotels. Public transportation is as safe as it should be, and dealing with cash is not a cause for concern.
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?
Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!
2. Fairfield
The population is 10,937 people, and crime rates are 219 percent higher than the Alabama average and 308 percent more than the national average. Fairfield is the 34th worst location to live in the United States, according to a list prepared by 247 Wall Street. This has nothing to do with the police force’s performance. Over the years, both violent and property crimes have remained stable. The number of violent crimes increased from 1,101 in 2017 to 1,181 in 2018. The number of property crimes increased from 705 in 2017 to 880 in 2018.
In 2018, 1,079 occurrences were recorded. There were 224 violent crimes and 855 property crimes. Fairfield has the highest murder rate in Alabama, with 75.3 murders per 100,000 population.
While safety is not a problem during the day, there are some minor issues at night. Movements such as riding or walking should be avoided at night, especially for female single travellers.
In Fairfield, your chances of becoming a victim of a crime are one in ten. This excludes minor offences. Pickpockets and panhandlers are less common, therefore public transportation is free of cash thefts.
3. Bessemer
Birmingham’s southwestern section has a population of 26,856 people. Bessemer is well-known for its economic clout. With coal, iron ore, and limestone reserves at its centre, it became the hub of steelmaking during the twentieth century.
However, according to 247’s compilation, Bessemer is the sixth worst location to live in Alabama. It rose from 84th in 2012 to 16th in 2013, and now 6th in 2018. Although significant crimes in Bessemer appear to have decreased by 25% in the last three years, the total crime rate remains high.
Total crime is expected to be 4,491 per 100,000 population, with violent crime accounting for 721 and property crime accounting for 3,371. Petty crimes are rarely reported, therefore cash thefts on public transportation are rare. It is worth noting that the number of patrol policemen on this side of town has not dropped.
Because there are less dodgy areas near alleyways, nighttime movements are still permissible. Despite the fact that it is not late at night. If passing through at night, female tourists should be accompanied. During the day, walking or biking is good.
4. Birmingham
Even throughout the twentieth century and the 1800s, The Magic City remained the town’s moniker. It, like Bessemer, was known for its growth in iron and steel manufacturing. With a population of 212,424 inhabitants, it is Alabama’s biggest city. In 2018, it was also the second most deadly city in the United States.
Dangerous because it has the highest number of murders (88) and the highest total of homicides (111) in 20 years till 2017. The city is claimed to have had many more murders than many larger cities.
Even during the day, it is advised to avoid biking or travelling about particular locations at night. Female alone travellers are advised to avoid Norwood, the Ensley neighbourhoods, and downtown regions due to gang-related violence. As a result, aggressive enforcement and security patrols are deployed across the city, mostly around the downtown area.
The Birmingham metro region, on the other hand, contains safer and better neighbourhoods such as Forest Part/Redmont, Mountain Brook, Hoover, Vestavia Hills, Brook Highland, English Village, and others. Public transportation is also free of currency theft, so wallets and handbags may breathe freely.
5. Prichard
A city of 22,340 inhabitants with a low livability rating. According to city data, Prichard’s crime rate in 2018 was not only 2.1 times higher than the national average, but also higher than in 97.3 percent of U.S. cities.
In 2018, the crime rate was reduced by 32% as compared to 2017. The number of murders was 7, down from 7 in 2017. The overall number of recorded events was 1,193, with violent crime accounting for 22% of the total.
Although, as of the end of 2018, it was ranked the 12th worst location to live in the United States by AL. Criminal activity is believed to be decreasing as a result of police engagement and actions. Walking and bike activities are still suggested to be done during the day rather than at night. Mostly for female alone travellers. Because public transportation is largely devoid of pickpockets, your free-roaming cash handling is safe.
You have a 1 in 19 risk of becoming a victim of crime in Prichard.
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?
Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!
6. Lanette
Even though it is a small neighbourhood with a population of 6,245 people, crime in this east-central Alabama town is three times higher than the national average and higher than in 99.1 percent of US towns. In 2014, the gang presence was estimated to be no fewer than 300 members. The majority of felony offences may be linked back to gang activity. Thus, in the early 2010s, the road to remove gang concerns in the neighbourhood began.
The crime rate declined by 4% in 2018 compared to 2017. However, despite police presence, there has been an increase in violent crime, although property crime has decreased in the previous five years. Moving around the neighbourhood is only safe during the day. At night, there may be a crowd of individuals on corners and alleyways. As a result, it’s safer, especially for solitary female travellers, to spend the evenings in hotels that come highly rated.
Public transportation is scarcely tainted by small crime, enhancing the security of cash in wallets or handbags. In Lanette, your chances of becoming a victim of a crime are 1 in 11.
7. Selma
This city in south-central Alabama’s black belt region has a history of gang violence, crime, and drug trade. Back in the early 2000s, there was a lot of open gang fighting between rival groups, which resulted in shootings. Selma, with a population of 19,650 people, is the ninth most hazardous city in the United States, according to a Safewise survey published around five years ago. It had a violent crime rate of 13.70 per 1,000 population and a property crime rate of 105.05.
The violent crime rate increased from 671.8 in 2013 to 753.6 in 2014, eventually reaching 1,019 in 2016. Currently, crime has fallen by 5%, and Selma is claimed to be safer than 7% of cities in the United States. As a few people have observed, the police are rarely seen patrolling on this side of town.
Exploring the town during the day and at night grows safer with each passing year, although girls travelling alone should exercise caution at night.
Petty cash theft cases are becoming less common, thus public transportation may be taken with peace of mind.
8. Gadsden
This city was slightly involved in the Civil War and has a narrative to tell about Alabama’s emergence as a home to textile, steel, and other manufacturing industries. However, ‘Homesnacks’ published a list of the ‘Most Dangerous Cities in 2019,’ with Gadsden ranking sixth. In 2018, it was ranked third.
With a population of 36,325 individuals, this area had almost 1,000 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2018, which was 179 percent more than the national average. Regardless of police presence, property crimes increased by nearly 7,000 per 100,000 people.
Walking or trekking during the day is just as enjoyable as it is at night. Only greater vigilance is required at night, therefore female lone travellers should be extremely cautious. While there are some motels that come highly rated, they are very far from the neighbourhood. It’s worth noting that public transportation is free of personal crimes and financial theft.
9. Tarrant
This is a tiny neighbourhood with 6,271 people with a low livability score. It has a crime rate that is 143 percent higher than the state average and 210 percent higher than the national average.
There were 511 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2018, with around 109 recorded events, and 2,674 property crimes, with approximately 367 reported incidents. The overall number of crimes recorded that year was 477, with significant police involvement.
Tarrant has no big worries about touring safety. Even single female travellers can hike or wander about during the day and night. There are few pickpockets or panhandlers, and there have been fewer recorded cases of cash theft. This ensures that public transportation is incident-free.
10. Troy
This neighbourhood has a population of 18,944 people. On a scale of 1 to 100 (low to high crime), Troy has 44.5 violent crimes (compared to the US average of 22.7) and 67.6 property crimes (where the US average is 35.4). Between 2017 and 2018, violent crime decreased but property crime increased. This is why Troy was ranked 14th in Alabama for the highest property crime rate. However, it remained Alabama’s 7th most dangerous city in 2018.
Hiking, biking, or simply strolling is safe at any time of day, but nighttime should be approached with caution. Female solo travellers have the opportunity to be light and easygoing as well. There are a few well-recommended hotels nearby, as well as solid security choices. When it comes to carrying large amounts of cash, public transit has a strong track record.
Crime Situation in Alabama
Alabama’s violent crime rate (crime rate) is about double that of the national average. With 638 total incidences, aggravated assault was the most often reported violent crime in 2019, accounting for 79 percent of all recorded violent crimes. Robbery comes in second, accounting for 11% of the total.
In terms of property crime, 818 total burglary occurrences were reported, accounting for 13% of all reported property crimes. However, larceny-theft is the leading cause of loss, accounting for around 81 percent of all instances reported.
Conclusion
According to the Safewise team, 56 percent of Alabama citizens were concerned about their safety on a daily basis in 2019, and 59 percent in 2020. According to the summary statistics, personal encounters with violent crime increased by 80% in Alabama year over year.
While the city has addressed safety problems, there is a need to preserve any types of protection, as well as security measures/street smartness that will ensure one’s safety. This wonderful city will gradually become a safe city as well.
