Welcome to the Heart of Dixie! From college football and Southern hospitality to major manufacturers and banking, Alabama has plenty to offer current and future residents, including retirees. Families interested in moving to Alabama may be concerned about safety, as Alabama is listed as the country’s seventh most dangerous state. But don’t be alarmed! Multiple cities boast good safety ratings that place them well above the state and national averages.
If you’re looking for your very own Sweet Home Alabama, here are the 10 safest cities in the state.
The Top 10 Safest Cities in Alabama
1. Rainbow City
- Population: 9,546
- Violent Crimes: 1 (0.010.5 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 50 (0.538.8 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
79.20% Below National Crime Rate, 83.99% Below State Crime Rate
Rainbow City citizens debate whether the city was named after U.S. Highway 411, called Rainbow Drive, or after the U.S. 42nd Infantry Division that became known as the Rainbow Division and which included a regiment from Alabama that fought in World War I. Regardless of the name’s origins, there’s no debating that Rainbow City is a safe place to live. The No. 1 safest city in Alabama offers a number of beautiful sights, from the Lookout Mountain Parkway to Noccalula Falls Park.
2. Mountain Brook
- Population: 20,373
- Violent Crimes: 16 (0.0785 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 228 (1.1191 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
53.37% Below National Crime Rate, 64.11% Below State Crime Rate
A suburb of Birmingham, Mountain Brook is one of the wealthiest areas in the state. The Birmingham Zoo and Birmingham Botanical Gardens are two of its most well-known attractions. When you’re done visiting the zoo and gardens, take a walk through Vulcan Park, featuring a 56-foot statue of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and forge who stands as a symbol of Mountain Brook’s industrial heritage.
3. Vestavia Hills
- Population: 34,368
- Violent Crimes: 30 (0.0873 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 435 (1.2657 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
47.32% Below National Crime Rate, 59.45% Below State Crime Rate
Vestavia Hills is another suburb of Birmingham known for its parks and outdoor activities. It is in close proximity to numerous vineyards and wineries, as well as shopping amenities like the Riverchase Galleria.
4. Daleville
- Population: 5,096
- Violent Crimes: 8 (0.157 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 56 (1.0989 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
51.10% Below National Crime Rate, 62.36% Below State Crime Rate
Approximately 14 square miles in size, Daleville is a small town in the southeastern part of the state. Called the Gateway to Fort Rucker, Daleville sits adjacent to the U.S. Army post known for its aviation training. In addition to its high safety ratings, Daleville offers residents close proximity to the Gulf Coast.
5. Southside
- Population: 8,774
- Violent Crimes: 15 (0.170 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 65 (0.7408 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
64.5% Below National Crime Rate, 72.67% Below State Crime Rate
Southside is a small but quickly growing city located on the Coosa River. Known for its friendliness and Southern hospitality, Southside is home to a variety of recreational activities and natural wonders.
6. Pleasant Grove
- Population: 10,105
- Violent Crimes: 16 (0.1583 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 127 (1.2568 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
44.90% Below National Crime Rate, 57.59% Below State Crime Rate
Nicknamed “The Good Neighbor City,” Pleasant Grove is a small city in western Jefferson County, approximately 10 miles from Birmingham. Like many cities in the area, Pleasant Grove has plenty of golf courses, nature trails and restaurants in close proximity.
7. Pelham
- Population: 23,785
- Violent Crimes: 36 (0.1514 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 404 (1.6985 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
Pelham is home to Oak Mountain State Park, Alabama’s largest state park. Residents not only enjoy the numerous outdoors activities and the open-air Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, but also the knowledge that they live in one of the safest areas of the state.
27.97% Below National Crime Average, 44.56% Below State Crime Average
8. Glencoe
- Population: 5,151
- Violent Crimes: 8 (0.1553 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 87 (1.689 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
28.19% Below National Crime Rate, 44.73% Below State Crime Rate
Glencoe is near the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, and like many other cities nearby, enjoys numerous outdoor activities like fishing off the Coosa River or golfing at the Silver Lakes Golf Course. Known as the City of Patriotism, Glencoe honors its 187 servicemen and women who fought in foreign wars, including World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War on every Memorial Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day.
9. Daphne
- Population: 26,618
- Violent Crimes: 36 (0.1352 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 463 (1.7394 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
27.01% Below National Crime Rate, 43.82% Below State Crime Rate
Daphne rests along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay. One of its many highlights is Bayfront Park, which contains both nature trails and boardwalks leading to the gulf. Although at No. 9 on this list, Daphne has the sixth lowest violent crime rate in the state, making it a great city to move to if you’re seeking both beach views and safety.
10. Satsuma
- Population: 6,153
- Violent Crimes: 16 (0.260 per capita)
- Nonviolent Crimes: 77 (1.2514 per capita)
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
41.15% Below National Crime Rate, 54.70% Below State Crime Rate
Located in Mobile County along the southwestern edge of the state, Satsuma was originally named Fig Tree Island, but in 1915, the town was renamed after the satsuma orange, which was introduced to the city by Japan in 1878. Satsuma is listed as sixth safest in the state in regard to property crime.
All data are taken from FBI U.S. crime statistics.
Sarah graduated from Trinity University in 2012 with a degree in International Relations and Political Science. She writes blogs on new homes, decor, communities, and more for NewHomeSource. When she’s not writing, you can find her spending time with her three cats.
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