CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
D-

Is Birmingham, Alabama Safe?

Population 195,893 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Birmingham faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,936 per 100K.

Birmingham Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBirminghamAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate331.2309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2408.92069.31,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate212.0--268.2
Theft Rate1936.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate383.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD-

274 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

331/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2409/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Birmingham

Violent crime in Birmingham is close to the national average. The rate of 331.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2408.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,936 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Birmingham Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault212
079% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery76
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary364
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,936
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft383
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Birmingham Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Birmingham
331.2
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Birmingham
2408.9
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Birmingham Safety

Is Birmingham safe?
Not especially. Birmingham earns a D- with a crime rate of 274 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Birmingham?
274 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 331.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2408.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Birmingham safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Birmingham's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,936 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Birmingham?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Birmingham generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Birmingham police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Birmingham?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Birmingham's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D- grade overall.
How does Birmingham compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Birmingham ranks behind about 77% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Birmingham to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Birmingham?
Bad. A D- grade and 274 per-thousand rate put Birmingham below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 331 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Birmingham?
331.2 per 100,000, which is 9% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (212), robbery (76), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Alabama

Similar-sized communities in Alabama. Compare crime rates across the state.

D+
See crime rates in Montgomery195,300 pop · Grade D+
F
See crime rates in Mobile200,824 pop · Grade F
D-
See crime rates in Huntsville233,627 pop · Grade D-
D
See crime rates in Tuscaloosa114,316 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Hoover93,550 pop · Grade C-
D-
See crime rates in Auburn85,113 pop · Grade D-
View all Alabama city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Birmingham

Get weekly safety updates for Birmingham

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities