Alabama’s Safest Cities of 2026

The violent crime rate in Alabama is 4.91 incidents per 1,000 people, which is higher than the national average of 4.43. We weren't able to report a statewide violent crime rate last year due to insufficient data, but in our 2024 report, Alabama reported a slightly lower violent crime rate of 4.8. 

Property crime in The Yellowhammer State has also increased in recent years, rising from 19.9 incidents per 1,000 people in 2024 to 23.05 incidents in this year's report. That's slightly higher than the national property crime rate of 22.89. 

The number of Alabamans who feel safe in the state increased year from 38% to 51%, which is just below the national average of 52%.

Additionally, Alabamians are much less likely to believe crime is increasing, dropping from 72% to 54% year over year. That matches the national sentiment of 54%. 

Property crime is less of concern in Alabama this year than in previous years. Fewer residents felt the need to take security measures, and personal experiences have declined. However, Alabamians continue to experience property crime slightly more than the average American.

• 46% say they're worried about property crime, down from 60% the previous year. The national average is also 46%. 
• 24% of survey respondents reported having a personal experience with property crime in the past 12 months. That’s three points higher than the national average (21%) and four points lower than the previous year (28%).
• 29% of Alabamians fell prey to package theft in the 12 months prior to being surveyed, which is slightly lower than the national average of 31%.
• 27% say they took additional security or safety measures to protect their property in the 12 months prior to the survey, down from 43% the year before.
• Of those that use property protection, 54% use security cameras, 48% use firearms, and 41% use security systems.

Despite dramatic declines in recent years, violent crime continues to be one of the most worrisome issues in Alabama, second only to cyber crimes. In our 2025 report, Alabamians were most likely to believe that crime was on the rise, but this year their sentiments match the national average. 

• 57% of Alabamians worry about a violent crime happening to them, down from 70% the previous year and just two points higher than the national average (55%).
• 11% of survey respondents reported having a personal experience with violent crime in the past 12 months, down from 20% the year before and lower than the national average of 12%.
• 42% of Alabamians carry personal protection. 
• Concealed firearms (60%) are the most popular form of personal protection used in Alabama followed by pocket knives (45%) and pepper spray (36%). 

• 54% of Alabama residents named gun violence as a safety concern (US 55%).
• 10% reported an experience with gun violence in the 12 months prior to being surveyed. That's down from 15% the previous year but higher than the national average of 9%.
• Alabama reported the eighth highest amount of personal experience with a gun violence in the country, tying with eight other states that reported a 10% experience level.
• 10 mass shootings occurred in Alabama in 2025.
• 60% of Alabamians said that they use concealed weapons for personal protection (US 45%).

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

• Margaret, this year's safest city in Alabama, reported zero violent crimes. 
• Last year's #1 city, Rainsville, dropped to #2 after its property crime rate nearly tripled.
• 4 safest cities reported a decrease in both violent crime and property crime: Lake View, Triana, Tuscumbia, and Hokes Bluff.
• All of this year's safest cities are located in the northern half of the state, primarily around Birmingham, Gadsden, and Huntsville. 
• Helena has the largest population of Alabama's top 10 safest cities. 
• Margaret (#1) is located next to Argo (#9). The two cities have a combined population of more than 10,000, making it the second most-populated area in this list.
• No murders occurred in Alabama's 10 safest cities.
• No motor vehicle thefts occurred in Lake View.
• Both Lake View and Hokes Bluff reported zero burglaries. 

• 100 Safest Cities in the U.S.
• Burglary Stats & Facts
• Essential Home Security Systems Guide for 2026