Is Birmingham or Dothan Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dothan is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,678 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 30% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Dothan has a 88% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 2.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Birmingham — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dothan — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Dothan, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Dothan | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 3,677.9 | +1,601.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 912.8 | +334.8 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 7.0 | +51.8 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 68.7 | -53.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 53.3 | +147.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 783.8 | +188.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,765.1 | +1,266.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 364.6 | +365.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 2,268.7 | +224.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 131.8 | +676.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Dothan safer?
Dothan is safer with a total crime rate of 3,678 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 30% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Dothan has 912.8. Dothan has lower violent crime.
About Birmingham, AL
Birmingham, Alabama, a city forged in the steel industry, sits at the southern end of the Appalachian Mountains. It's the most populous city in Alabama's Jefferson County. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 195,418, Birmingham has a total crime rate of 5,278.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Dothan, AL
Dothan, Alabama, the "Peanut Capital of the World," is a city in Houston County with a population of around 70,000. It serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare in the Wiregrass Region of southeast Alabama. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 71,318, Dothan has a total crime rate of 3,677.9 per 100,000 residents.