Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Gulf Shores, AL has a Safety Score of 38/100 — higher crime than 62% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,078.9 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,840 of 2,971 US cities and #23 of 61 in Alabama.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Gulf Shores, Alabama Safe?
Gulf Shores, Alabama, a popular spring break destination, sits on the Gulf of Mexico. Once a small fishing village, its year-round population is around 15,000, swelling significantly with tourists enjoying its white-sand beaches.
Gulf Shores has a safety score of 38/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,078.9 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Gulf Shores ranks #23 out of 61 cities in Alabama and #1840 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 38th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 62% of US cities.
Year over year, Gulf Shores's total crime rate decreased by 21.3%, with violent crime declining 41.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Gulf Shores Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 50 | 287.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 5 | 28.7 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 11.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 43 | 246.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 312 | 1,791.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 20 | 114.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 283 | 1,625.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9 | 51.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Gulf Shores vs Alabama Average
How does Gulf Shores's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Gulf Shores | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 287.1 | 510.3 | -43.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,791.8 | 2,259.4 | -20.7% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.1 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,078.9 | 2,769.7 | -24.9% |
Gulf Shores Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Gulf Shores, Alabama.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 17,413 | 2,078.9 | 287.1 | 1,791.8 |
| 2023 | 16,726 | 2,642.6 | 490.3 | 2,152.3 |
| 2022 | 16,274 | 2,765.2 | 338.0 | 2,427.2 |
| 2021 | 13,421 | 3,271.0 | 372.6 | 2,898.4 |
| 2020 | 12,985 | 2,248.8 | 138.6 | 2,110.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gulf Shores, Alabama safe?
Gulf Shores has a safety score of 38/100, meaning it has less crime than about 38% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,078.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Gulf Shores is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Gulf Shores, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Gulf Shores has a violent crime rate of 287.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,791.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Gulf Shores compare to the national average?
Gulf Shores's total crime rate of 2,078.9 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 17,413 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Gulf Shores?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Gulf Shores include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Gulf Shores safe to visit?
Like any city, Gulf Shores has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 38/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.