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C

Is Opelika, Alabama Safe?

Population 35,765 · Safer than 36% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Opelika is a smaller community of 35,765 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 213.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,635 per 100K.

Opelika Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOpelikaAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate220.9309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1909.82069.31,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate156.0--268.2
Theft Rate1635.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate339.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

213.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

221/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1910/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Opelika

Violent crime in Opelika is below the national average. The rate of 220.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1909.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,635 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Opelika Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault156
058% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery27
043% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary353
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,635
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft339
01.1x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Opelika Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Opelika
220.9
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Opelika
1909.8
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Opelika Safety

Is Opelika safe?
Not especially. Opelika earns a C with a crime rate of 213.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Opelika?
213.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 220.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1909.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Opelika safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Opelika 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 Opelika?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Opelika generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Opelika police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Opelika?
Crime rates have held steady in Opelika, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Opelika compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Opelika ranks behind about 74% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Opelika to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Opelika?
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 36th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Opelika?
220.9 per 100,000, which is 39% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (156), robbery (27), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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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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