Alabama’s small towns showcase the state’s rich history and southern charm, but beneath the surface, some communities face serious safety challenges. When we talk about dangerous towns, we’re referring to places where crime rates—both violent and property crimes—exceed what residents should reasonably expect in a small community. From former industrial centers grappling with economic decline to rural towns where limited resources strain law enforcement, these places share one troubling reality: residents face higher-than-average risks of becoming crime victims.
This ranking examines the 25 most dangerous small towns in Alabama with populations under 100,000, based on the latest crime data. The towns are ranked from least to most dangerous, with violent crime rates serving as the primary factor and property crime rates used as tiebreakers. Each community on this list struggles with crime rates that far exceed state averages, creating daily safety concerns for the people who call these places home.
25. Gulf Shores
Population: 13,070
Crime Rate: Violent – 332 per 100,000; Property – 2,433 per 100,000
Gulf Shores records moderate violent crime levels but elevated property crime rates driven largely by seasonal tourism. The town’s transient population during peak beach season creates opportunities for theft and burglary. While serious violent crimes remain relatively uncommon, visitors and residents face notable risks of property-related offenses.
24. Northport
Population: 31,125
Crime Rate: Violent – 356 per 100,000; Property – 1,654 per 100,000
Northport maintains lower property crime rates compared to other towns on this list but sees concerning violent crime levels. The city’s proximity to Tuscaloosa contributes to some spillover criminal activity. Economic pressures in certain neighborhoods have contributed to higher rates of assault and robbery than typical for a town this size.
23. Muscle Shoals
Population: 16,275
Crime Rate: Violent – 361 per 100,000; Property – 2,447 per 100,000
Muscle Shoals faces significant property crime challenges alongside moderate violent crime rates. The town’s struggles with economic transition from its industrial past have created pockets where theft and burglary are common concerns. Drug-related offenses contribute to both violent and property crime statistics in this historically music-famous community.
22. Gardendale
Population: 16,044
Crime Rate: Violent – 362 per 100,000; Property – 2,177 per 100,000
Gardendale experiences higher-than-expected crime rates for a suburban Birmingham community. Property crimes, particularly vehicle theft and burglary, affect residents at concerning levels. The town’s location near major highways creates opportunities for criminals to commit crimes and quickly flee to other jurisdictions.
21. Troy
Population: 17,727
Crime Rate: Violent – 414 per 100,000; Property – 2,511 per 100,000
Troy’s status as a college town contributes to elevated property crime rates, particularly theft and vandalism. The seasonal population fluctuations when students are in town create additional challenges for law enforcement. Economic disparities between different areas of the city also contribute to higher rates of both violent and property crimes.
20. Decatur
Population: 57,938
Crime Rate: Violent – 419 per 100,000; Property – 2,876 per 100,000
Decatur faces significant property crime challenges that exceed violent crime concerns, though both rates remain troubling. The city’s industrial heritage has left some economically struggling neighborhoods where theft and burglary are persistent problems. Manufacturing job losses have contributed to social conditions that foster criminal activity.
19. Jasper
Population: 14,572
Crime Rate: Violent – 419 per 100,000; Property – 4,744 per 100,000
Jasper records the highest property crime rate among mid-tier dangerous towns, with residents facing substantial risks of theft and burglary. Economic challenges in this former mining community have created conditions where property crimes flourish. The town’s rural setting limits law enforcement resources while criminal opportunities remain high.
18. Hueytown
Population: 16,776
Crime Rate: Violent – 429 per 100,000; Property – 3,378 per 100,000
Hueytown struggles with elevated rates of both violent and property crimes that impact daily life for residents. The town’s proximity to Birmingham creates spillover effects from urban criminal activity. Economic pressures have contributed to increased theft, burglary, and assault rates that exceed state averages.
17. Eufaula
Population: 12,015
Crime Rate: Violent – 455 per 100,000; Property – 2,570 per 100,000
Eufaula faces moderate property crime levels but concerning violent crime rates for a town its size. Limited economic opportunities in this historic river town have contributed to social conditions that foster criminal activity. The town’s location near the Georgia border creates jurisdictional challenges for law enforcement efforts.
16. Valley
Population: 10,529
Crime Rate: Violent – 516 per 100,000; Property – 3,675 per 100,000
Valley experiences high rates of both violent and property crimes that create daily safety concerns for residents. The former textile town’s economic decline has left neighborhoods where criminal activity is commonplace. Drug-related offenses contribute significantly to both crime categories, affecting community stability.
15. Ozark
Population: 14,368
Crime Rate: Violent – 525 per 100,000; Property – 3,476 per 100,000
Ozark records troubling crime rates in both violent and property categories that exceed expectations for a rural Alabama town. Economic challenges and limited job opportunities have created conditions where theft, assault, and drug crimes are persistent problems. The town’s location along major transportation routes facilitates criminal activity.
14. Gadsden
Population: 33,945
Crime Rate: Violent – 564 per 100,000; Property – 3,923 per 100,000
Gadsden faces severe property crime challenges alongside significant violent crime rates that impact residents across the city. The former steel town’s economic struggles have created widespread conditions where criminal activity thrives. Manufacturing job losses have left neighborhoods particularly vulnerable to theft, burglary, and violent offenses.
13. Enterprise
Population: 28,711
Crime Rate: Violent – 574.56 per 100,000; Property – 2,445.22 per 100,000
Enterprise experiences concerning violent crime rates despite lower property crime levels compared to other towns on this list. The military presence from nearby Fort Novosel creates unique challenges including domestic violence and assault cases. Economic pressures in civilian areas contribute to crime rates that exceed typical small-town levels.
12. Florence
Population: 40,184
Crime Rate: Violent – 582 per 100,000; Property – 2,648 per 100,000
Florence records high violent crime rates that create serious safety concerns for residents in this college town. Drug trafficking along the Tennessee River corridor contributes significantly to criminal activity levels. The presence of the University of North Alabama adds complexity to crime patterns, particularly in areas surrounding the campus.
11. Sylacauga
Population: 12,578
Crime Rate: Violent – 606 per 100,000; Property – 3,294 per 100,000
Sylacauga faces elevated rates of both violent and property crimes that significantly impact community safety. Economic decline in this former marble and textile center has created conditions where criminal activity is commonplace. Limited law enforcement resources struggle to address persistent problems with theft, assault, and drug-related offenses.
10. Talladega
Population: 15,861
Crime Rate: Violent – 647 per 100,000; Property – 2,440 per 100,000
Talladega experiences high violent crime rates that overshadow moderate property crime levels, creating serious safety concerns for residents. The town’s NASCAR fame contrasts sharply with underlying social problems that foster criminal activity. Economic challenges and drug trafficking contribute to assault and robbery rates that far exceed state averages.
9. Selma
Population: 17,971
Crime Rate: Violent – 769 per 100,000; Property – 1,636 per 100,000
Selma records extremely high violent crime rates while maintaining lower property crime levels compared to other dangerous towns. The historic civil rights city struggles with economic decline that has created conditions where violent offenses are disturbingly common. Persistent poverty and limited opportunities contribute to assault and robbery rates that rank among Alabama’s highest.
8. Alexander City
Population: 14,843
Crime Rate: Violent – 794 per 100,000; Property – 4,642 per 100,000
Alexander City faces severe challenges with both violent and property crimes, creating a dangerous environment for residents. The textile town’s economic struggles have fostered widespread criminal activity across multiple categories. Residents face significant risks of both violent victimization and property crimes that far exceed state and national averages.
7. Opelika
Population: 30,995
Crime Rate: Violent – 809 per 100,000; Property – 2,755 per 100,000
Opelika experiences very high violent crime rates that create serious safety concerns despite Auburn University’s nearby presence. Economic disparities within the city contribute to crime patterns that affect different neighborhoods unequally. Drug trafficking and related violence drive much of the criminal activity that makes daily life dangerous for many residents.
6. Prichard
Population: 19,322
Crime Rate: Violent – 829 per 100,000; Property – 2,212 per 100,000
Prichard records extremely high violent crime rates that make it one of Alabama’s most dangerous small cities. Economic collapse and population decline have created conditions where violent offenses are alarmingly common. The city’s proximity to Mobile provides little benefit as local resources remain insufficient to address persistent problems with assault, robbery, and drug violence.
5. Anniston
Population: 21,569
Crime Rate: Violent – 843 per 100,000; Property – 5,503 per 100,000
Anniston faces the highest property crime rate on this list alongside extremely high violent crime levels, creating dangerous conditions throughout the city. Environmental contamination from military chemical weapons disposal has compounded economic problems that foster criminal activity. Residents face extraordinary risks of becoming victims of theft, burglary, assault, and other serious crimes.
4. Phenix City
Population: 38,816
Crime Rate: Violent – 877 per 100,000; Property – 3,708 per 100,000
Phenix City experiences extremely high rates of both violent and property crimes that create dangerous conditions across the community. The city’s location on the Georgia border and proximity to Fort Moore creates unique challenges including trafficking and military-related crime. Economic struggles and drug activity contribute to crime rates that rank among Alabama’s most dangerous.
3. Jacksonville
Population: 14,385
Crime Rate: Violent – 921 per 100,000; Property – 2,004 per 100,000
Jacksonville records extremely high violent crime rates despite being home to Jacksonville State University, creating serious safety concerns for students and residents. Drug trafficking and related violence drive much of the criminal activity that makes this small college town unexpectedly dangerous. The contrast between campus life and surrounding crime creates unique challenges for law enforcement.
2. Dothan
Population: 71,072
Crime Rate: Violent – 1,052 per 100,000; Property – 3,816 per 100,000
Dothan faces severe crime challenges with violent crime rates exceeding 1,000 per 100,000 residents alongside very high property crime levels. As the largest city on this list, Dothan’s size hasn’t protected it from dangerous conditions that affect residents throughout the community. Drug trafficking corridors and economic disparities contribute to crime rates that make daily life hazardous.
1. Bessemer
Population: 26,019
Crime Rate: Violent – 1,921 per 100,000; Property – 7,441 per 100,000
Bessemer stands as Alabama’s most dangerous small city, with violent and property crime rates that are among the highest in the entire state. The former steel town’s economic collapse has created conditions where criminal activity dominates daily life across multiple neighborhoods. Residents face extraordinary risks of violent victimization and property crimes that make Bessemer one of the most dangerous places to live in the American South.
References
- BeautifyData — Alabama Cities: Property Crime Rate Ranking (FBI UCR 2022)
- Lanett, AL — Violent crime: StatisNostics; Property crime: BeautifyData
- Talladega, AL — Violent crime: BeautifyData; Property crime: NeighborhoodScout
- Gadsden, AL — Violent crime: BeautifyData; Property crime: BeautifyData
- Jasper, AL — Population (2020): WorldPopulationReview; Crime (2023): AreaVibes; Property crime (2022): BeautifyData
- Prichard, AL — Violent crime: BeautifyData; Property crime: BeautifyData
- Selma, AL — Crime (2023): AreaVibes; Violent crime (2022 cross-check): BeautifyData
- Alexander City, AL — Crime (2023): AreaVibes; Property crime (2022 ranking table): BeautifyData
- Phenix City, AL — Violent crime (2022): BeautifyData; Crime (2023): AreaVibes
- Anniston, AL — Crime (2023): AreaVibes
- Tarrant, AL — Violent crime (proxy): StatisNostics; Property crime (2022): BeautifyData
- Bessemer, AL — Violent crime (2022): BeautifyData; Property crime (2022 ranking table): BeautifyData
