Fort Payne, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Last updated: April 30, 2026
Lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Summary: Fort Payne, AL Crime Rate (2026)
Fort Payne, AL has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is 20% below the national average. Fort Payne has lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Data source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) & local law enforcement agencies. Last updated: April 30, 2026.
Is Fort Payne Safe?
Mostly yes — Fort Payne is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Fort Payne has a crime rate that is 20% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 338.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 338
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
22% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 57
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
4% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Fort Payne 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
|
83 | -17% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
78 | -22% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
75 | -25% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
91 | -9% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
87 | -13% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Fort Payne Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Fort Payne Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Fort Payne zip codes.
Fort Payne Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Fort Payne, AL?
Fort Payne, AL has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 20% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 338 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 57 chance for property crime. Fort Payne has lower crime than 49% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Fort Payne, AL safe to live in?
Fort Payne is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Fort Payne is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Fort Payne?
The estimated violent crime rate in Fort Payne is 295.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 22% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 338 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.1 per 100K (17% below average); aggravated assault at 205.9 per 100K (23% below average); robbery at 59.4 per 100K (20% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Fort Payne?
The estimated property crime rate in Fort Payne is 1,757.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 57 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 203.2 per 100K (25% below average); larceny/theft at 1,277.3 per 100K (9% below average); vehicle theft at 276.7 per 100K (13% below average).
How does Fort Payne crime compare to the national average?
Fort Payne's overall crime rate is 20% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (9% below average), while burglary is 25% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Fort Payne has lower crime than 49% of them.
Is Fort Payne safe to visit?
Fort Payne is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 4% 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 Fort Payne crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Fort Payne's crime rate is 20% below the national average, making it safer the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Fort Payne?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Fort Payne, with an estimated rate of 1,277.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 9% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,757 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (296 per 100K) in Fort Payne, which is consistent with national trends.