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D

Is Gulf Shores, Alabama Safe?

Population 17,394 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Gulf Shores runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 83% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,996 per 100K.

Gulf Shores Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGulf ShoresAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate407.0309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2259.32069.31,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate230.0--268.2
Theft Rate1996.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate288.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

266.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

407/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2259/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Gulf Shores

Violent crime in Gulf Shores is close to the national average. The rate of 407.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2259.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,996 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Gulf Shores Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault230
086% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery96
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary243
090% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,996
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft288
090% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Gulf Shores Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gulf Shores
407.0
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gulf Shores
2259.3
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Gulf Shores Safety

Is Gulf Shores safe?
Not especially. Gulf Shores earns a D with a crime rate of 266.6 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 Gulf Shores?
266.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 407.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2259.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Gulf Shores safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Gulf Shores's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,996 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gulf Shores?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Gulf Shores generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Gulf Shores police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Gulf Shores?
Crime rates have held steady in Gulf Shores, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Gulf Shores compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Gulf Shores ranks behind about 85% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Gulf Shores to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Gulf Shores?
Bad. A D grade and 266.6 per-thousand rate put Gulf Shores below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 407 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Gulf Shores?
407.0 per 100,000, which is 12% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (230), robbery (96), and murder (7.0) 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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