The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Alabama For 2024

Bessemer, the most dangerous place to live in Alabama, is plagued by high crime rates. With a population of 25,265, this city in Jefferson County has experienced 460 violent crimes, including 10 murders, 15 rapes, 75 robberies, and 360 aggravated assaults. The property crime rate is also alarmingly high, with 1,872 reported incidents.

While the city’s location in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area offers economic opportunities, it also attracts criminal activity. The presence of iron ore, coal, and limestone deposits historically led to a strong steelmaking industry. However, this prosperity has been marred by rising crime rates.

We’re heading just ten minutes north of Birmingham to reach Alabama’s second most dangerous place to call home, Tarrant.

You might want to padlock your picnic basket if you’re going for a day out at Greenwood Park because the city had the seventh highest property crime rate statewide.

That includes the 11th highest burglary rate in Alabama. All of which makes it easy to see why Tarrant featured on our list of Alabama’s worst cities.

Atmore, a city in Escambia County, Alabama, ranks as the third most dangerous place to live in the state. The crime statistics in Atmore are concerning, with a high number of violent crimes and property crimes. There were 127 incidents of violent crime reported. The property crime rate was also alarming, with 365 reported incidents, including 53 burglaries.

The city is currently working on economic development projects, such as the new Rivercane development along the I-65 corridor, which may help improve its residents’ overall safety and well-being.

You didn’t think we forgot about Birmingham, did you? Alabama’s 3rd biggest city is also its fourth most dangerous.

Folks in Birmingham had a 1 in 59 chance of being the victim of an aggravated assault, rape, murder, or robbery in 2022, enough to give the city the third highest violent crime rate statewide. Including a shocking 142 murders.

Property crime is also all too common here, with 1,799 stolen cars reported in 2024. We just hope nobody steals a racecar from the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, or the police may have a tough time catching the guy.

All that being said, this is a big city, so if you stay away from Birmingham’s worst neighborhoods, you should be relatively safe.

Anniston may occupy the #5 position on this list, but it actually has the fourth highest overall crime rate in Alabama, outstripping the national average by over 300%.

Part of that is down to having the eighth highest burglary rate statewide. We just hope nobody’s planning a heist of one of Anniston’s museums.

The real issue in Anniston is violent crime, which ranks as the 12th highest worst in Alabama. That includes the 19th highest rate of rape cases and 19th highest murder rate. Overall, residents faced a 1 in 118 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in 2024.

Dothan, Alabama, is ranked as the sixth most dangerous place to live in the state for 2024. With a population of 71,196, Dothan has seen a total of 749 violent crimes reported, including 14 murders. The property crime rate is also a concern, with 2,686 crimes reported.

The location of Dothan in southeastern Alabama, near the borders of Georgia and Florida, may contribute to its crime rate due to its proximity to major highways and the state border.

Alexander City, located in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, has unfortunately earned the reputation of being one of the most dangerous places to live in the state. The city’s crime statistics paint a concerning picture, with a total of 5,422/100k reported crimes per capita. This includes 794/100k violent crimes and 4,628/100k property crimes per capita.

Alexander City has experienced a notable number of murders, with 2 homicides reported. Additionally, the city has seen 115 cases of violent crimes, including rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Phenix City, located in Lee County, Alabama, ranks as the eighth most dangerous place to live in the state. With a population of 38,076, this city faces significant crime challenges, with a total of 334 violent crimes reported. Property crime remains a pressing issue, with 1,408 incidents reported, including 186 burglaries.

Phenix City’s location plays a role in its safety challenges. Situated across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia, Phenix City’s economic ties to its neighboring city impact its safety dynamics.

Clanton, the ninth most dangerous place to live in Alabama, has earned this ranking due to its concerning crime statistics. With a population of 8,799, the city has experienced 47 violent crimes, including 3 murders.

Situated in Chilton County, Clanton is part of the Birmingham–Hoover–Cullman Combined Statistical Area and is near the geographic center of Alabama.

Mobile, Alabama, is ranked as the tenth most dangerous place to live in the state. With a population of 239,323, Mobile has a high crime rate, particularly regarding violent crime. In 2024 alone, there were 2,218 incidents of violent crime reported, including 41 murders, 124 rapes, 135 robberies, and 1,918 aggravated assaults.

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