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D+

Is Athens, Alabama Safe?

Population 34,209 · Safer than 24% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Athens is a smaller community of 34,209 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 244.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,311 per 100K.

Athens Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAthensAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate290.0309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2155.62069.31,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate204.0--268.2
Theft Rate1311.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate369.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

244.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

290/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2156/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Athens

Violent crime in Athens is below the national average. The rate of 290.0 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2155.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,311 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Athens Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault204
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery59
093% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary261
097% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,311
094% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft369
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Athens Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Athens
290.0
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Athens
2155.6
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Athens Safety

Is Athens safe?
Not especially. Athens earns a D+ with a crime rate of 244.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Athens?
244.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 290.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2155.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Athens safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Athens's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,311 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Athens?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Athens generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Athens police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Athens?
No. Crime in Athens has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Athens compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Athens ranks behind about 75% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Athens to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Athens?
Bad. A D+ grade and 244.6 per-thousand rate put Athens below 76% of US cities. Violent crime at 290 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Athens?
290.0 per 100,000, which is 20% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (204), robbery (59), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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View all Alabama city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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