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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Helena, AL has a Safety Score of 92/100 — safer than 92% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 507.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #243 of 2,971 US cities and #2 of 61 in Alabama.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Helena, Alabama Safe?
Helena, once a bustling railroad town, sits along the Cahaba River in Shelby County. This picturesque community, part of the Birmingham metropolitan area, has experienced significant population growth in recent decades.
Helena has a safety score of 92/100 (Safer Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 507.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Helena ranks #2 out of 61 cities in Alabama and #243 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 92nd percentile for safety — safer than 92% of US cities.
All major crime categories in Helena are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Helena's total crime rate decreased by 12.4%, with violent crime rising 58.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Helena Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 16 | 71.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 2 | 8.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 0 | 0.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 14 | 62.3 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 98 | 436.1 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 12 | 53.4 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 74 | 329.3 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 12 | 53.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Helena vs Alabama Average
How does Helena's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Helena | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 71.2 | 510.3 | -86.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 436.1 | 2,259.4 | -80.7% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.1 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 507.3 | 2,769.7 | -81.7% |
Helena Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Helena, Alabama.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,470 | 507.3 | 71.2 | 436.1 |
| 2023 | 22,283 | 578.9 | 44.9 | 534.0 |
| 2022 | 22,035 | 667.1 | 104.4 | 562.7 |
| 2021 | 20,756 | 366.2 | 48.2 | 318.0 |
| 2020 | 20,279 | 364.9 | 93.7 | 271.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Helena, Alabama safe?
Helena has a safety score of 92/100, meaning it has less crime than about 92% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 507.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Helena is relatively safe.
What is the crime rate in Helena, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Helena has a violent crime rate of 71.2 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 436.1 per 100,000 residents.
How does Helena compare to the national average?
Helena's total crime rate of 507.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 22,470 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Helena?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Helena include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Helena safe to visit?
Like any city, Helena has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 92/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.