Cottondale, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 85% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Cottondale Safe?
Yes — Cottondale is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Cottondale has a crime rate that is 46% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 481.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 481
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
45% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 146
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
63% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Cottondale 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
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
69 | -31% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
21 | -79% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
37 | -63% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Cottondale Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Cottondale Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Cottondale zip codes.
Cottondale Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Cottondale, AL?
Cottondale, AL has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 46% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 481 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 146 chance for property crime. Cottondale has lower crime than 85% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Cottondale, AL safe to live in?
Cottondale is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Cottondale is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Cottondale?
The estimated violent crime rate in Cottondale is 207.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 45% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 481 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.1 per 100K (38% below average); aggravated assault at 130.0 per 100K (52% below average); robbery at 51.1 per 100K (31% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Cottondale?
The estimated property crime rate in Cottondale is 685.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 63% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 146 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 277.0 per 100K (3% above average); larceny/theft at 289.9 per 100K (79% below average); vehicle theft at 118.2 per 100K (63% below average).
How does Cottondale crime compare to the national average?
Cottondale's overall crime rate is 46% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (3% above average), while larceny/theft is 79% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Cottondale has lower crime than 85% of them.
Is Cottondale safe to visit?
Cottondale is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 63% 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 Cottondale crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Cottondale's crime rate is 46% below the national average, making it safer the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Cottondale?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Cottondale, with an estimated rate of 289.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 79% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (685 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (208 per 100K) in Cottondale, which is consistent with national trends.