Athens, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 37% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Athens Safe?
Athens has a crime rate that is 6% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 269.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 269
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
2% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 58
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
6% lower than national average
Athens Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
104 | +4% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
95 | -5% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
99 | -1% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
113 | +13% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
115 | +15% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Athens Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Athens Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Athens zip codes.
Athens Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Athens, AL?
Athens, AL has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 6% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 269 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 58 chance for property crime. Athens has lower crime than 37% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Athens, AL safe to live in?
Athens has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Athens is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Athens?
The estimated violent crime rate in Athens is 371.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 269 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.2 per 100K (4% above average); aggravated assault at 255.6 per 100K (5% below average); robbery at 73.1 per 100K (1% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Athens?
The estimated property crime rate in Athens is 1,729.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 6% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 58 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 242.4 per 100K (10% below average); larceny/theft at 1,119.7 per 100K (20% below average); vehicle theft at 367.5 per 100K (15% above average).
How does Athens crime compare to the national average?
Athens's overall crime rate is 6% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (15% above average), while larceny/theft is 20% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Athens has lower crime than 37% of them.
Is Athens safe to visit?
Visitors to Athens should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 6% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Athens crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Athens's crime rate is 6% below the national average, making it roughly comparable to the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Athens?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Athens, with an estimated rate of 1,119.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,730 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (372 per 100K) in Athens, which is consistent with national trends.