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C-

Is Selma, Alabama Safe?

Population 16,077 · Safer than 27% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 16,077, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Selma earns a C- with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,392 per 100K.

Selma Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSelmaAlabama AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate364.9309.7363.8
Property Crime Rate1987.72069.31,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate281.0--268.2
Theft Rate1392.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate204.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC-

235.3 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

365/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1988/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Selma

Violent crime in Selma is close to the national average. The rate of 364.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1987.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,392 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Selma Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault281
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery66
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary237
088% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,392
099% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft204
064% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Selma Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Selma
364.9
State
309.7
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Selma
1987.7
State
2069.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Selma Safety

Is Selma safe?
Not especially. Selma earns a C- with a crime rate of 235.3 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 Selma?
235.3 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 364.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1987.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Selma safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Selma's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,392 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Selma?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Selma generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Selma police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Selma?
Crime rates have held steady in Selma, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C- grade.
How does Selma compare to other cities in Alabama?
Below average for the state. Selma ranks behind about 65% of Alabama cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Selma 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 Selma?
Bad. A C- grade and 235.3 per-thousand rate put Selma below 73% of US cities. Violent crime at 365 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Selma?
364.9 per 100,000, which is 0% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (281), robbery (66), and murder (5.0) 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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