Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Athens, AL has a Safety Score of 33/100 — higher crime than 67% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,312.7 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,003 of 2,971 US cities and #29 of 61 in Alabama.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Athens, Alabama Safe?
Athens, Alabama, settled in 1818, is the county seat of Limestone County. This North Alabama city, home to Athens State University, experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters.
Athens has a safety score of 33/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,312.7 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Athens ranks #29 out of 61 cities in Alabama and #2003 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 33rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 67% of US cities.
Year over year, Athens's total crime rate decreased by 17.2%, with violent crime rising 10%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Athens Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 80 | 243.4 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 2 | 6.1 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 9.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 6 | 18.3 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 69 | 210.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 680 | 2,069.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 91 | 276.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 531 | 1,615.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 58 | 176.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Athens vs Alabama Average
How does Athens's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Athens | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 243.4 | 510.3 | -52.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,069.3 | 2,259.4 | -8.4% |
| Murder Rate | 6.1 | 13.1 | -53.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,312.7 | 2,769.7 | -16.5% |
Athens Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Athens, Alabama.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32,862 | 2,312.7 | 243.4 | 2,069.3 |
| 2023 | 30,265 | 2,792.0 | 221.4 | 2,570.6 |
| 2022 | 28,438 | 2,704.1 | 218.0 | 2,486.1 |
| 2021 | 29,411 | 1,421.2 | 74.8 | 1,346.4 |
| 2020 | 28,039 | 1,515.8 | 14.3 | 1,501.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Athens, Alabama safe?
Athens has a safety score of 33/100, meaning it has less crime than about 33% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,312.7 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Athens is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Athens, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Athens has a violent crime rate of 243.4 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,069.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Athens compare to the national average?
Athens's total crime rate of 2,312.7 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 32,862 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Athens?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Athens include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Athens safe to visit?
Like any city, Athens has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 33/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.