Is Birmingham or Scottsboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Scottsboro is safer than Birmingham (Safety Score 41/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 1,974 per 100,000 versus 5,279 for Birmingham — 63% lower. Birmingham has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Scottsboro 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
Scottsboro — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Birmingham, AL
Scottsboro, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Birmingham | Scottsboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,278.9 | 1,973.7 | +3,305.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,247.6 | 200.5 | +1,047.1 |
| Murder Rate | 58.9 | 0.0 | +58.9 |
| Rape Rate | 14.8 | 56.4 | -41.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 201.1 | 12.5 | +188.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 971.8 | 131.6 | +840.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,031.4 | 1,773.2 | +2,258.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 729.7 | 162.9 | +566.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,493.6 | 1,541.4 | +952.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 808.0 | 68.9 | +739.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Birmingham or Scottsboro safer?
Scottsboro is safer with a total crime rate of 1,974 per 100K vs 5,279 for Birmingham — a 63% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Birmingham has a violent crime rate of 1,247.6 per 100K while Scottsboro has 200.5. Scottsboro 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 Scottsboro, AL
Scottsboro, Alabama, home to the famous Scottsboro Boys trials, is a small city in Jackson County. Situated in northeastern Alabama, its population is around 15,000. With a safety score of 41/100 and a population coverage of 15,960, Scottsboro has a total crime rate of 1,973.7 per 100,000 residents.