Gadsden, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Gadsden Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Gadsden has a crime rate that is 92% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 135.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 135
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
94% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 25
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
121% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Gadsden 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
|
183 | +83% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
209 | +109% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
183 | +83% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
171 | +71% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
209 | +109% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
209 | +109% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Gadsden Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Gadsden Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Gadsden zip codes.
Gadsden Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Gadsden, AL?
Gadsden, AL has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 92% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 135 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 25 chance for property crime. Gadsden has higher crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Gadsden, AL safe to live in?
Gadsden has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Gadsden is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Gadsden?
The estimated violent crime rate in Gadsden is 738.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 94% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 135 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 9.2 per 100K (83% above average); aggravated assault at 559.4 per 100K (109% above average); robbery at 108.3 per 100K (47% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Gadsden?
The estimated property crime rate in Gadsden is 4,049.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 121% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 25 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 460.1 per 100K (71% above average); larceny/theft at 2,924.1 per 100K (109% above average); vehicle theft at 665.0 per 100K (109% above average).
How does Gadsden crime compare to the national average?
Gadsden's overall crime rate is 92% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (109% above average), while robbery is 47% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Gadsden has higher crime than 95% of them.
Is Gadsden safe to visit?
Visitors to Gadsden should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 121% above 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 Gadsden crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Gadsden's crime rate is 92% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Gadsden?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Gadsden, with an estimated rate of 2,924.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 109% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (4,049 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (739 per 100K) in Gadsden, which is consistent with national trends.