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D+

Is Helena, Alabama Safe?

Population 23,388 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Helena is a smaller community of 23,388 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 241.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,418 per 100K.

Helena Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricHelenaAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate213.2309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate2197.72069.31,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate123.0--268.2
Theft Rate1418.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate557.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

241.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

213/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2198/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Helena

Violent crime in Helena is well below the national average. The rate of 213.2 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2197.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,418 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Helena Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault123
046% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery46
073% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary388
01.4x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,418
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft557
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Helena Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Helena
213.2
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Helena
2197.7
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Helena Safety

Is Helena safe?
Not especially. Helena earns a D+ with a crime rate of 241.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Helena?
241.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 213.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2197.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Helena safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Helena's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,418 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Helena?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Helena generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Helena police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Helena?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Helena's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Helena compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Helena ranks behind about 70% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Helena to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Helena?
Bad. A D+ grade and 241.1 per-thousand rate put Helena below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 213 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Helena?
213.2 per 100,000, which is 41% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (123), robbery (46), and murder (4.0) 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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