Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 195,418
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Birmingham, Alabama Safe?
Birmingham has a safety score of 4/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 5,278.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Birmingham ranks #60 out of 61 cities in Alabama and #2881 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 3rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 97% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Birmingham is murder, at 58.9 per 100K — 9.5x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.3x the national rate.
Year over year, Birmingham's total crime rate decreased by 13.7%, with violent crime declining 19.5%.
Birmingham Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 2,438 | 1,247.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 115 | 58.9 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 29 | 14.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 393 | 201.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,899 | 971.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 7,878 | 4,031.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 1,426 | 729.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 4,873 | 2,493.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 1,579 | 808.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Birmingham vs Alabama Average
How does Birmingham's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Birmingham | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 510.3 | +144.5% |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,259.4 | +78.4% |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 13.1 | +350.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,769.7 | +90.6% |
Birmingham Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Birmingham, Alabama.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 195,418 | 5,278.9 | 1,247.6 | 4,031.4 |
| 2023 | 195,224 | 6,113.5 | 1,549.0 | 4,564.5 |
| 2022 | 195,050 | 5,938.0 | 1,693.4 | 4,244.6 |
| 2021 | 206,476 | 5,104.2 | 1,518.3 | 3,585.9 |
| 2020 | 209,081 | 1,842.4 | 414.7 | 1,427.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham, Alabama safe?
Birmingham has a safety score of 4/100. With a total crime rate of 5,278.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Birmingham is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Birmingham, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 4,031.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Birmingham compare to the national average?
Birmingham's total crime rate of 5,278.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 195,418.
What types of crime are most common in Birmingham?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Birmingham include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Birmingham safe to visit?
Like any city, Birmingham has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 4/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.