Is Birmingham or Irondale Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Irondale is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 54/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,581 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 70% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Irondale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Birmingham is 14.4x 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
Irondale — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Irondale, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Irondale | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,580.7 | +3,698.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 177.3 | +1,070.3 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 22.2 | -7.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 29.6 | +171.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 125.6 | +846.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,403.5 | +2,627.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 214.2 | +515.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 893.8 | +1,599.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 295.5 | +512.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Irondale safer?
Irondale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,581 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 70% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Irondale has 177.3. Irondale 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 Irondale, AL
Irondale, Alabama, a suburb of Birmingham, is known for being the home of Mother Angelica and EWTN. Historically a railroad town, its population of around 12,000 is predominantly white and African American. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 13,538, Irondale has a total crime rate of 1,580.7 per 100,000 residents.