The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Alabama

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Alabama For 2025

Bessemer, the most dangerous place to live in Alabama, is plagued by high crime rates. With a population of 24,720, this city in Jefferson County has experienced 431 violent crimes, including 11 murders, 15 rapes, 40 robberies, and 365 aggravated assaults. The property crime rate is also alarmingly high, with 1,761 reported incidents.

While the city’s location in the Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Statistical Area offers economic opportunities, it also attracts criminal activity. The presence of iron ore, coal, and limestone deposits historically led to a strong steelmaking industry. However, this prosperity has been marred by rising crime rates.

You didn’t think we forgot about Birmingham, did you? Alabama’s 3rd biggest city is also its second most dangerous.

Folks in Birmingham had a 1 in 80 chance of being the victim of an aggravated assault, rape, murder, or robbery in 2024, enough to give the city the third highest violent crime rate statewide. Including a shocking 115 murders.

Property crime is also all too common here, with 1,579 stolen cars reported in 2025. We just hope nobody steals a racecar from the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum, or the police may have a tough time catching the guy.

All that being said, this is a big city, so if you stay away from Birmingham’s worst neighborhoods, you should be relatively safe.

Anniston may occupy the #3 position on this list, but it actually has the fourth highest overall crime rate in Alabama, outstripping the national average by over 300%.

Part of that is down to having the second highest burglary rate statewide. We just hope nobody’s planning a heist of one of Anniston’s museums.

The real issue in Anniston is violent crime, which ranks as the seventh highest worst in Alabama. That includes the third highest rate of rape cases and 12th highest murder rate. Overall, residents faced a 1 in 118 chance of being the victim of a violent crime in 2025.

Atmore, a city in Escambia County, Alabama, ranks as the fourth most dangerous place to live in the state. The crime statistics in Atmore are concerning, with a high number of violent crimes and property crimes. There were 113 incidents of violent crime reported. The property crime rate was also alarming, with 298 reported incidents, including 38 burglaries.

The city is currently working on economic development projects, such as the new Rivercane development along the I-65 corridor, which may help improve its residents’ overall safety and well-being.

Alexander City, located in Tallapoosa County, Alabama, has unfortunately earned the reputation of being one of the most dangerous places to live in the state. The city’s crime statistics paint a concerning picture, with a total of 4,612/100k reported crimes per capita. This includes 1,024/100k violent crimes and 3,588/100k property crimes per capita.

Alexander City has experienced a notable number of murders, with 4 homicides reported. Additionally, the city has seen 147 cases of violent crimes, including rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.

Andalusia is the eighth most dangerous place to call home in Alabama for 2025. On average, Andalusia experienced one larceny case each day over 2024. Overall, Andalusia had the tenth highest property crime rate statewide.

So keep an eye on the fish you catch at Open Pond Recreation Area, or your day’s haul might get snatched.

On the bright side, Andalusia is the least violent place listed here.

Phenix City, located in Lee County, Alabama, ranks as the ninth most dangerous place to live in the state. With a population of 38,323, this city faces significant crime challenges, with a total of 298 violent crimes reported. Property crime remains a pressing issue, with 1,330 incidents reported, including 195 burglaries.

Phenix City’s location plays a role in its safety challenges. Situated across the Chattahoochee River from Columbus, Georgia, Phenix City’s economic ties to its neighboring city impact its safety dynamics.

Located in east-central Alabama, Lanett has experienced a population nosedive in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. The small city averaged just under one larceny case a day, so keep a close eye on your catch after a day fishing at West Point Lake.

Lanett also averaged about one rape case per month over 2024, giving it the fourth highest rate of rape cases in Alabama. Lanett is only slightly redeemed by being one of the few places listed here without a single murder.

If you do have to move to Lanett, steer clear of the city’s east side, where most of the crime goes down.

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