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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Fort Payne, AL has a Safety Score of 47/100 — higher crime than 53% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,576 of 2,971 US cities and #18 of 61 in Alabama.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Fort Payne, Alabama Safe?
Nestled in the Appalachian foothills, Fort Payne is a small city known as the "Sock Capital of the World." It was once home to the country music band Alabama and has a population of around 13,000.
Fort Payne has a safety score of 47/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Fort Payne ranks #18 out of 61 cities in Alabama and #1576 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 47th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 53% of US cities.
Year over year, Fort Payne's total crime rate increased by 10.5%, with violent crime declining 25.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Fort Payne Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 24 | 160.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 3 | 20.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 21 | 140.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 242 | 1,615.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 43 | 287.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 179 | 1,194.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 20 | 133.5 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Fort Payne vs Alabama Average
How does Fort Payne's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Fort Payne | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 160.2 | 510.3 | -68.6% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,615.1 | 2,259.4 | -28.5% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.1 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,775.2 | 2,769.7 | -35.9% |
Fort Payne Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Fort Payne, Alabama.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,984 | 1,775.2 | 160.2 | 1,615.1 |
| 2023 | 14,880 | 1,606.2 | 215.1 | 1,391.1 |
| 2022 | 14,845 | 1,946.8 | 154.9 | 1,791.9 |
| 2021 | 14,038 | 954.6 | 85.5 | 869.1 |
| 2020 | 14,071 | 184.8 | 0.0 | 184.8 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Payne, Alabama safe?
Fort Payne has a safety score of 47/100, meaning it has less crime than about 47% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Fort Payne is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Fort Payne, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Fort Payne has a violent crime rate of 160.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,615.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Fort Payne compare to the national average?
Fort Payne's total crime rate of 1,775.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 14,984 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Fort Payne?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Fort Payne include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Fort Payne safe to visit?
Like any city, Fort Payne has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 47/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.