Is Decatur or Huntsville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Huntsville is safer than Decatur (Safety Score 22/100 vs 21/100), with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100,000 versus 2,916 for Decatur — 1% lower. Decatur has higher rates in 3 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Huntsville has a 20% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 3.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Decatur — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Decatur, AL
Huntsville, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Decatur | Huntsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,915.5 | 2,871.9 | +43.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 606.7 | 483.6 | +123.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.5 | 8.3 | +0.2 |
| Rape Rate | 54.7 | 48.5 | +6.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.4 | 53.8 | -9.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 499.0 | 372.6 | +126.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,308.9 | 2,388.3 | -79.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 193.1 | 321.4 | -128.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,833.8 | 1,808.9 | +24.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 282.0 | 258.0 | +24.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Decatur or Huntsville safer?
Huntsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100K vs 2,916 for Decatur — a 1% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Decatur has a violent crime rate of 606.7 per 100K while Huntsville has 483.6. Huntsville has lower violent crime.
About Decatur, AL
Decatur, "The River City," sits on the Tennessee River in Morgan County. This North Alabama city, historically a railroad hub, is now home to a diverse population of over 55,000 residents. With a safety score of 21/100 and a population coverage of 58,514, Decatur has a total crime rate of 2,915.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Huntsville, AL
Huntsville, Alabama, a city rooted in aerospace since the Space Race, sits in the Appalachian foothills. It's a growing tech hub with a significant population of highly educated professionals. With a safety score of 22/100 and a population coverage of 228,697, Huntsville has a total crime rate of 2,871.9 per 100,000 residents.