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Moving to Opelika, AL?
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI crime data, Opelika, AL has a Safety Score of 16/100 — higher crime than 83% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,470 of 2,957 US cities and #45 of 60 in Alabama.
Quiz: which of these is MORE DANGEROUS than Opelika, AL?
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Opelika, Alabama Safe?
Opelika, a historic railroad town in Lee County, sits near the fall line of the Appalachian foothills. It's home to the Museum of East Alabama, reflecting its deep Southern heritage.
Opelika has a safety score of 16/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,785.9 per 100,000.
Opelika ranks #45 out of 60 cities in Alabama and #2470 out of 2957 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 17th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 83% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Opelika is murder, at 8.7 per 100K — 1.4x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.6x the national rate.
Year over year, Opelika's total crime rate decreased by 9.9%, with violent crime declining 19.7%.
Larceny-theft in Opelika runs 1.3x the national average. Basic measures help — exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points — but if you rent, your landlord's policy covers the building, not your belongings. Renters insurance typically covers personal property lost to theft or a break-in; you can see a renters insurance quote online in a few minutes.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Opelika Crime Statistics Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 193 | 560.3 | 478.2 |
| Murder | 3 | 8.7 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 17 | 49.4 | 43.8 |
| Robbery | 19 | 55.2 | 94.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 154 | 447.1 | 333.5 |
| Property Crime | 904 | 2,624.3 | 2,307.7 |
| Burglary | 71 | 206.1 | 292.0 |
| Larceny-Theft | 764 | 2,217.8 | 1,657.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 69 | 200.3 | 358.0 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Opelika vs Alabama Average
How does Opelika's crime rate compare to the Alabama state average?
| Metric | Opelika | Alabama Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 560.3 | 512.5 | +9.3% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,624.3 | 2,269.3 | +15.6% |
| Murder Rate | 8.7 | 13.1 | -33.6% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,184.5 | 2,781.8 | +14.5% |
Opelika Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Opelika, Alabama.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 34,448 | 3,184.5 | 560.3 | 2,624.3 |
| 2023 | 33,681 | 3,536.1 | 697.7 | 2,838.4 |
| 2022 | 32,010 | 3,627.0 | 849.7 | 2,777.3 |
| 2021 | 31,644 | 3,748.0 | 714.2 | 3,033.8 |
| 2020 | 31,437 | 2,258.5 | 353.1 | 1,905.4 |
Opelika Crime Map — Surrounding Area
City-level crime rates from FBI data for Opelika and nearby cities — green is safer, red is higher-crime; circle size is population. Not an incident-level map. Full state view: Alabama crime map.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Opelika, Alabama safe?
Opelika has a safety score of 16/100, meaning it has less crime than about 16% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Opelika is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Opelika, Alabama?
According to FBI data for 2024, Opelika has a violent crime rate of 560.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,624.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Opelika compare to the national average?
Opelika's total crime rate of 3,184.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 34,448 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Opelika?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Opelika are larceny-theft (764 reported incidents) and aggravated assault (154 reported incidents). Property crime outnumbers violent crime 4.7x in the city.
Is Opelika safe to visit?
Like any city, Opelika has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 16/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.
How can I protect my home in Opelika?
Start with the fundamentals: exterior lighting, locked and reinforced entry points, and knowing your neighbors. If you rent, make sure your belongings are insured — a landlord's policy covers the building, not your things. You can check renters insurance rates online.