Is Gardendale or Huntsville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Gardendale is safer than Huntsville (Safety Score 47/100 vs 22/100), with a total crime rate of 1,785 per 100,000 versus 2,872 for Huntsville — 38% lower. Gardendale has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Gardendale has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 14.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Gardendale — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Gardendale, AL
Huntsville, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Gardendale | Huntsville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,785.4 | 2,871.9 | -1,086.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 192.2 | 483.6 | -291.4 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 8.3 | -8.3 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 48.5 | -48.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 6.2 | 53.8 | -47.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 186.0 | 372.6 | -186.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,593.2 | 2,388.3 | -795.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 117.8 | 321.4 | -203.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,308.0 | 1,808.9 | -500.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 167.4 | 258.0 | -90.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gardendale or Huntsville safer?
Gardendale is safer with a total crime rate of 1,785 per 100K vs 2,872 for Huntsville — a 38% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Gardendale has a violent crime rate of 192.2 per 100K while Huntsville has 483.6. Gardendale has lower violent crime.
About Gardendale, AL
Gardendale, a northern suburb of Birmingham, was historically known as "Jugtown" for its pottery industry. Today, it's a growing community experiencing an influx of younger families. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 16,131, Gardendale has a total crime rate of 1,785.4 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.