Is Birmingham or Hartselle Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Hartselle is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 21/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 2,911 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 45% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Hartselle has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 12.2x 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
Hartselle — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Hartselle, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Hartselle | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 2,910.5 | +2,368.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 224.9 | +1,022.7 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 50.0 | -35.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 12.5 | +188.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 162.4 | +809.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 2,685.7 | +1,345.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 830.7 | -101.0 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,717.6 | +776.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 137.4 | +670.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Hartselle safer?
Hartselle is safer with a total crime rate of 2,911 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 45% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Hartselle has 224.9. Hartselle 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 Hartselle, AL
Hartselle, a quaint city in Morgan County, is home to the state's oldest railroad depot. Situated in North Alabama, its population is just over 15,000. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 16,011, Hartselle has a total crime rate of 2,910.5 per 100,000 residents.