Is Huntsville or Selma Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Huntsville is safer than Selma (Safety Score 22/100 vs 18/100), with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100,000 versus 3,092 for Selma — 7% lower. Huntsville has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Selma has a 43% lower rate.
Note: Huntsville is 14.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Huntsville — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Selma — 3-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Huntsville, AL
Selma, AL
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Huntsville | Selma | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,871.9 | 3,092.2 | -220.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 483.6 | 619.7 | -136.1 |
| Murder Rate | 8.3 | 12.3 | -4.0 |
| Rape Rate | 48.5 | 18.4 | +30.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.8 | 30.7 | +23.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 372.6 | 558.3 | -185.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,388.3 | 2,472.5 | -84.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 321.4 | 552.2 | -230.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,808.9 | 1,754.7 | +54.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 258.0 | 165.7 | +92.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Huntsville or Selma safer?
Huntsville is safer with a total crime rate of 2,872 per 100K vs 3,092 for Selma — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Huntsville has a violent crime rate of 483.6 per 100K while Selma has 619.7. Huntsville has lower violent crime.
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.
About Selma, AL
Selma, Alabama, a city on the Alabama River, is famous for its pivotal role in the Civil Rights Movement. This historic city in Dallas County has a predominantly African American population. With a safety score of 18/100 and a population coverage of 16,299, Selma has a total crime rate of 3,092.2 per 100,000 residents.