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C+

Is Bessemer, Alabama Safe?

Population 24,984 · Safer than 43% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Bessemer is a smaller community of 24,984 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 196.4 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,469 per 100K.

Bessemer Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBessemerAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate296.4309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1667.52069.31,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate200.0--268.2
Theft Rate1469.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate357.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

196.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

296/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1668/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Bessemer

Violent crime in Bessemer is below the national average. The rate of 296.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1667.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,469 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Bessemer Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault200
075% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary202
075% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,469
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft357
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Bessemer Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bessemer
296.4
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bessemer
1667.5
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bessemer Safety

Is Bessemer safe?
It depends on where in Bessemer you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Bessemer?
196.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 296.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1667.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Bessemer safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Bessemer has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Bessemer?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Bessemer generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Bessemer police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Bessemer?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Bessemer's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Bessemer compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Bessemer ranks behind about 65% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is Bessemer to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Bessemer?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 43th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Bessemer?
296.4 per 100,000, which is 19% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (200), robbery (42), and murder (3.0) 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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