The safest city in Alabama is tucked away in the southeast corner of the Yellowhammer State.
According to uphomes.com, “Headland earns its spot as the safest city in Alabama due to its low natural disaster risk, population density, and cost of living (which is 19.6% below the national average).
“Unlike other cities, it has relatively low crime rates in both the city and the county overall, making Headland a safe community for families.”
Here is uphomes.com’s list of the 15 safest cities in Alabama.
Uphomes.com said it included indirect factors such as poverty rates to broaden its scale. However, these factors are weighted less than crime rates because poverty rates and income alone don’t determine whether or not a city is safe. We break down how each element was weighted in our methodology section.
1. Headland
County: Henry County
Population: 5,501
Violent crime rate: 73 per 100,000
FEMA score: 49.89
Headland is a city located in southeast Alabama, and it’s the largest city in Henry County. This city is based on an agricultural economy — it’s home to the Wiregrass Research and Extension Center, where Auburn University researchers study local crops and farming practices. Though the city has more of a small-town feel, it’s less than 20 minutes away from Dothan.
Headland earns its spot as the safest city in Alabama due to its low natural disaster risk, population density, and cost of living (which is 19.6% below the national average). Unlike other cities, it has relatively low crime rates in both the city and the county overall, making Headland a safe community for families.
2. Pell City
County: St. Clair County
Population: 13,976
Violent crime rate: 14 per 100,000
FEMA score: 70.79
Along the Coosa River, Pell City is another classic riverside city known for its scenic views and beautiful parks. At Lakeside Park, families can enjoy the beach, boat launches, and fishing tournaments. It’s the perfect place to live if you want to enjoy riverside activities in a city that’s less than 40 minutes from Birmingham.
Pell City is very safe — it scores third for violent crime and fourth for nonviolent crime rates. The cost of living is high, although still 8.4% below the national average. With this in mind, Pell City is the second safest city in Alabama and the place to be if you want the best of both city and country life.
3. Rainbow City
County: Etowah County
Population: 10,146
Violent crime rate: 30 per 100,000
FEMA score: 82.25
Rainbow City runs along the Coosa River and is about an hour drive from Birmingham. It’s named after Highway 411, or the Rainbow Drive, which runs through the middle of town. There are many recreational activities to do in Rainbow City, including a free 18-hole disc golf course in the Vivian Lee Maddox Sports Complex, where you can enjoy quality time with friends and family.
Rainbow City is a very low crime city. It has the fifth lowest violent crime and second lowest nonviolent crime rate of the 100 cities we studied. Despite the low crime rate in Rainbow City, Etowah County has higher crime rates, which brings Rainbow City to third on our list. This still makes Rainbow City a top place to live in Alabama.
4. Southside
County: Etowah and Calhoun County
Population: 9,584
Violent crime rate: 31 per 100,000
FEMA score: 82.25
Across the Coosa River from Rainbow City, you’ll find the town of Southside. The two cities share a school district, despite their locations on opposite sides of the river. Southside is more of a rural town, perfect for taking it slow. In the summertime the local Sports Complex hosts both youth and adult sports tournaments, which are the perfect opportunity to meet friends, whether you’re new to the area or grew up there.
Southside is the fourth safest city in Alabama. It has the seventh lowest violent and nonviolent crime rate and the 10th lowest poverty rate. These factors make Southside the perfect choice if you’re interested in moving to the Gadsden metropolitan area but want to ensure you live in a safe area.
5. Monroeville
County: Monroe County
Population: 5,754
Violent crime rate: 70 per 100,000
FEMA score: 58.89
Monroeville is another small city in southern Alabama. It’s the hometown of one of America’s most famous writers, Harper Lee, making it the Literary Capital of Alabama. Monroeville inspired the setting for both “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “Go Set a Watchman.” Each year, a stage production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” takes place in the Monroeville courthouse, drawing many literary-minded visitors.
But what makes Monroeville such a safe place to live? It has the 11th lowest violent crime and third lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list. This makes Monroeville the fifth safest city overall in Alabama and a great place to live for book lovers.
6. Muscle Shoals
County: Colbert County
Population: 17,222
Violent crime rate: 35 per 100,000
FEMA score: 71.91
Just south of the Tennessee River, you’ll find the city of Muscle Shoals. This city is a great place for music lovers. It’s known as home to the Muscle Shoals Sound Studio — though the studio is technically located in a neighboring town. The studio offers tours and is still a working recording studio where bands like The Black Keys have recorded their hits.
When it comes to safety, Muscle Shoals has the eighth lowest violent crime and 10th lowest nonviolent crime rates on our list. Colbert County itself is also very safe, with the ninth lowest violent crime and fifth lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list, making Muscle Shoals the sixth safest city overall. Whether you’re looking to rock out or live a quieter riverside life, there’s a place in Muscle Shoals for you.
7. Gardendale
County: Jefferson County
Population: 17,289
Violent crime rate: 6 per 100,000
FEMA score: 96.47
Gardendale is a city located north of Birmingham, just a 15-minute drive to the heart of the city. This makes it a great alternative if you’re not sure about moving to Birmingham but like the area. Residents enjoy walking around Black Creek Park, which has areas in both Fultondale and Gardendale. Residents particularly enjoy Rails to Trails, an easy but long hike with minimal elevation and many resting areas. After your hike, wander through Gardendale Pickers, a local favorite antique mall with 95,000 square feet of treasures to discover.
When it comes to crime rates, Gardendale comes out on top with the second lowest violent crime rate and lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list. Its higher cost of living (though still 9.7% below the national average) compared to the rest of Alabama and higher county crime rates are what makes Gardendale the seventh safest city on our list.
8. Rainsville
County: DeKalb County
Population: 5,767
Violent crime rate: 121 per 100,000
FEMA score: 69.42
Rainsville is a unique city in Alabama that’s located on top of Sand Mountain, a large sandstone plateau spanning areas in northeast Alabama, northwest Georgia, and southeast Tennessee. This makes Rainsville a scenic arena boasting mountain biking, cavern and canyon exploring, and other unique outdoor activities.
Rainsville has the 23rd lowest violent crime rate, 13th lowest nonviolent crime rate, 20th lowest FEMA index, and 17th lowest cost of living on our list. These factors make it a solid choice for your next home and the eighth safest city in Alabama.
9. Mountain Brook
County: Jefferson County
Population: 21,665
Violent crime rate: 0 per 100,000
FEMA score: 96.47
Mountain Brook is a suburban city where you can enjoy the most popular attractions of Birmingham while living in a suburban atmosphere. The Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, and Vulcan Park and Museum are all right on the border of Mountain Brook, so there’s no shortage of sights to see and things to do.
Mountain Brook is one of the few cities on our list where the cost of living is above the national average, and it’s the most expensive city on our list. But it has the lowest violent crime rate and fifth lowest nonviolent crime rate, so it comes in ninth place. Not to mention there’s tons to do, so it’s no surprise why so many families make Mountain Brook their home.
10. Glencoe
County: Etowah and Calhoun County
Population: 5,400
Violent crime rate: 93 per 100,000
FEMA score: 82.25
Glencoe is located in the southeast Gadsden metropolitan area. Glencoe offers a unique experience called Dive Land Park, where certified divers and snorkelers of almost any skill level can explore. Whether or not you choose to dive in, the park has primitive camping sites and live music for everyone to enjoy.
What makes Glencoe the 10th safest city in Alabama? It has the 17th lowest violent crime rate, 19th lowest nonviolent crime rate, and is tied with Muscle Shoals for the 12th lowest poverty rate on our list. This area also offers the 10th lowest population density for families who value their own space.
11. Margaret
County: St. Clair County
Population: 5,955
Violent crime rate: 168 per 100,000
FEMA score: 70.79
Margaret is a northeast suburb of Birmingham and about a 40-minute drive to the city. Whether you’re looking for a home close to Margaret Lake so you can take advantage of the best fishing spots or just want some respite after a day exploring Birmingham, you’ll want to look for a home in Margaret.
Margaret comes in 11th on our list as it has the sixth lowest nonviolent crime rate and 16th lowest poverty rate.
12. Athens
County: Limestone County
Population: 29,923
Violent crime rate: 30 per 100,000
FEMA score: 73.59
Athens is just north of the Tennessee River and 36 minutes west of Huntsville. Looking to experience some classic Southern culture? The Limestone Sheriff’s Rodeo has been running for 41 years and takes place each May, with contestants competing for a $50,000 prize. You might also recognize Athens from our roundup of the best places to live in Alabama.
Athens has the sixth lowest violent crime rate in Alabama, though the nonviolent crime rate is higher, coming in 31st. The cost of living in Athens is 13.8% below the national average, which is one of the reasons Athens is the 12th safest city in Alabama.
13. Pelham
County: Shelby County
Population: 25,154
Violent crime rate: 83 per 100,000
FEMA score: 87.40
Pelham is best known as the home of Oak Mountain State Park. Here you can enjoy the beauty of Alabama and many outdoor activities such as:
-
Camping
-
Hiking
-
Mountain biking
-
Cable skiing
-
Boating
-
Fishing
-
Picnicking
-
Horseback riding
The park is also home to the Alabama Wildlife Center, where you can view the native birds they’re rehabilitating via the Treetop Nature Trail.
Whether you’re into roughing it or a gentle walk is more your speed, you’ll find the perfect home in Pelham. It’s the 13th safest city in Alabama with the 14th lowest violent crime rate and sixth lowest poverty rate, though the nonviolent crime rate is a bit higher, coming in 23rd on our list.
14. Satsuma
County: Mobile County
Population: 6,837
Violent crime rate: 59 per 100,000
FEMA score: 98.79
Satsuma is a suburb just 20 minutes north of Mobile. Agriculture has always been a major part of life in Satsuma. It was once known as Fig Tree Island before the city was renamed to refer to the sweet Satsuma oranges that were introduced to the region in the late 1800s. Today, the area is known for pecan and Satsuma orange cultivation.
Satsuma offers a safe suburban home close to Mobile. It has the ninth lowest violent crime and eight lowest nonviolent crime rate on our list. However, the FEMA index is a bit high, which makes it the 14th safest city in Alabama.
15. Helena
County: Shelby and Jefferson County
Population: 22,521
Violent crime rate: 151 per 100,000
FEMA score: 87.40
Helena is a suburb of Birmingham with a higher population, offering a true mix of suburban and city life. It’s located half an hour south of the city. The town is in the midst of renovating its Main Street area to reflect the beauty of the local creeks. The surrounding community is full of parks to explore, including Moss Rock Preserve, which is just 20 minutes away and has stunning waterfalls.
Helena finishes off our list of the safest cities in Alabama. It features the ninth lowest nonviolent crime rate, although the violent crime rate comes in 29th. Helena also offers a lower poverty rate and higher population density if you want a suburban home with a more social atmosphere.
