Many cities make up the Yellowhammer State - some are considered safe to live in, and then, there are the most dangerous cities in Alabama. Using FBI statistics to analyze Alabama cities with 5,000 or more residents, the RoadSnacks website has compiled a list of the worst cities in Alabama. So, if you’ve ever wondered, "What city has the highest crime rate in Alabama," you’ll find your answer below.
10. Lincoln
Lincoln ranks 10th on the list. Here, residents have a 1 in 94 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. At the time of these rankings, property crime in Lincoln was the 16th worst in Alabama. Take a drive through Lincoln:
9. Greenville
Ninth on the list is Greenville. In recent years, Greenville, which is located in Butler County, has seen a dramatic increase in crime. Back in 2018, there were 109 violent crimes reported. According to the FBI, Greenville residents also have a 1 in 22.1 chance of becoming a victim of property crime. Despite its ranking, Greenville is still worth a visit, as it’s often revered as one of the most charming small towns in Alabama.
8. Andalusia
Coming in eighth on the list is Andalusia, which is the county seat of Covington County. Here, residents have a 1 in 18.7 chance of becoming a victim of property crime and a 1 in 106 chance of becoming the victim of a violent crime. Still worthy of a spot on your bucket list, Andalusia is a great visit year-round, particularly during the holidays, as it hosts Christmas in Candyland, one of the best Christmas events in the South.
7. Troy
Troy, which is located in Pike County, is Alabama's seventh most dangerous city. Between the years 2017-2018, violent crime dropped. However, property crime increased greatly. In fact, Troy has one of the highest rates of property crime in Alabama. Get a closer look at downtown Troy:
6. Gadsden
Gadsden, which is the county seat of Etowah County, comes in sixth on the list. Crime in Gadsden has been on the rise since 2010. In fact, residents currently have a 1 in 14.1 chance of being robbed. Don’t avoid Gadsden because it’s one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama, though. Boasting a ton of things to see and do, it’s one of the best day trip destinations in Alabama.
5. Tarrant
Fifth on the list is Tarrant. Residents of Tarrant, which is a small city in Jefferson County, have a 1 in 56 chance of being attacked, raped, or murdered each year. Also, 1 in 16.8 residents have reported some type of property crime.
4. Birmingham
Birmingham comes in fourth on the list. Here in "The Magic City," 1 in 52 residents were the victim of a violent crime in 2018, and 1 in 15.8 residents are robbed each year. Birmingham is also the nation's second most dangerous city. Even though Birmingham is one the most dangerous cities in Alabama, it’s still worth a visit. Need some convincing? Here are some reasons everyone should visit the 4th most dangerous city in Alabama.
3. Lanett
Coming in third on the list is Lanett, which has 6,245 residents. Here, property crimes were high in 2018 with 7,878 per 100K. To put that into perspective, residents have a 1 in 12.7 chance of being robbed. Being one of the most dangerous cities in Alabama isn’t Lanett’s only claim to fame. It’s also home to one of the most peculiar gravesites in Alabama.
2. Anniston
Second on the list is Anniston, which is the county seat of Calhoun County. It had 646 violent crimes reported in 2018, and residents have a 1 in 12.7 chance of becoming the victims of a property crime. Anniston might be the second most dangerous city in Alabama, but it shouldn’t be avoided altogether, and that’s because it boasts some great attractions, including one of the most unique museums in Alabama. Take a drive through downtown Anniston:
1. Fairfield
Coming in first is Fairfield, which has definitely seen its share of crime. Here, residents have a 1 in 60 chance of being murdered, attacked, or raped. It's no wonder Fairfield is currently Alabama's most dangerous city.
What do you think? Are you shocked to learn these are the most dangerous cities in Alabama? Did you ever look into Alabama's crime rate by city? Were you surprised by these rankings of the most violent cities in Alabama? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments.
Now that we’ve answered the question, "What city has the highest crime rate in Alabama," let’s switch gears. On a happier note, here are the safest cities in Alabama.
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