Since location is the main focus, there is no doubt that safety will be a factor that many people will consider when looking for a place to live in Alabama. Thus, there are some cities and towns in Alabama that are safer than others, when it comes to crime. Here is a description of some of the safest places to live in Alabama based on the current statistics that shed light on violent and property crime rates as well as natural disaster-prone areas.
1. Madison
The city is located in Madison County in the north of Alabama, near Huntsville: it is comparatively safe to live in Madison. According to the FBI data, 2021 recorded slightly over 51 violent crime incidents per 100,000 residents, ranking it among some of the safest cities to live in in the state of Alabama. It also has relatively low property crimes per capita compared to other Alabama metropolitan areas.
Some safety benefits that contribute to the quality living standard in Madison include; a specialized police force for the city that offers excellent services, well-equipped emergency services, and no threat from major natural disasters like hurricanes that affect areas along the coast. Madison also has several excellent public schools that have high rankings, making the city a suitable residence for families. As the subject of tornadoes, the area is not exempt from them but the risk is no higher than that of most areas in the inland part of the state.
2. Vestavia Hills
Currently, Vestavia Hills which is in Birmingham records very few incidences of crimes and is thus among the best places to live in Alabama. Yet, the violent and property crime rates here are significantly below the rates seen at the state as well as the national level. About 26 violent crimes occurred per every 100000 residents of Vestavia Hills by the end of 2021.
Vestavia Hills is located near a quality emergency care provider in the city of Birmingham, should it be required. Tornadoes and severe storms are a slight concern as they are in most of the inland regions of Alabama; hurricanes are not as prevalent, but occur less frequently in this area than they do along the coast. Other aspects of pleasant living are also boasted by Vestavia Hills including excellent schools making it a preferred area for families that are concerned about security.
3. Hoover
Another city also in the Birmingham-Hoover metro area in Shelby County, Hoover has a very high rating in safety because of low crime incidences as well as easy access to the best quality medical facilities. In 2021, this city had a violent crime rate of only 79 occurrences per 100,000 residents, which is one of the lowest rates in the state. Violent crimes are also relatively low in this city compared to other large cities in Alabama and also other property crimes are low here.
That is, crime rates are lower than the national ones and Hoover’s residents have access to the best hospitals in Birmingham which are located only fifteen minutes away from the city by car. Some of these insurance carriers are Children’s Hospital and UAB Hospital. The suburban atmosphere of the city, as well as the good schools that are located in Hoover, make this city even more appealing for families who are looking for a safe place to live in.
4. Auburn
Auburn is a college town situated in east Alabama, and the town has received a good reputation for safety over the last few years. Auburn is in Lee County, and depending on the safety criteria, whether it is low crime rates or adequate emergency service delivery, it fits the bill. That there is Auburn University does cause a slightly higher rate of property crime from factors omnipresent in college cities, but the violent crime rate remains extremely low for the population density of the region.
Education, low unemployment, reasonable cost of living, a large police department, and crime prevention initiatives all result in good safety ratings in Auburn. Having the Auburn Medical Center within close access makes one feel secure in times of emergency health complications. The risks for natural disasters are also comparatively low with no hurricanes affecting the region and only a moderate risk of tornadoes passing through annually.
5. Spanish Fort
The city of Spanish Fort is located in Baldwin County, on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, and presents several positive factors in the area of security. Police records indicate that property and violent crimes are lower than those of Alabama due to increased community policing and interested citizens’ groups to combat the vice. Spanish Fort positions the city as an appealing alternative to other areas in coastal Alabama that are characterized by growing job opportunities, quality schools, and a friendly environment for families who seek safe living conditions.
Although the effects of hurricanes are less felt in inland places, Spanish Fort’s proximity to Mobile which is within reasonable driving distance to hospitals and other support structures would make it easier to mobilize in anticipation of a severe hurricane that might target this portion of the northern Gulf Coast. Adding up the local initiatives aimed at reducing crime rates and maintaining the safety of communities, Spanish Fort reveals itself as one of the safest cities in Alabama that can be a great choice for people of all ages and, therefore, families in particular.
Therefore, it is recommended to always do proper research about the safety of neighborhoods when choosing the best state to live in Alabama for you or your family. However, speaking of low crime rates, high-quality emergency services, good schools, and the absence of critical natural threats, the focus cities discussed in the paper can offer good living conditions for all the regions of the state.
