Selma, AL Crime Rate & Safety

Grade: D-

Higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026

303%
Above Avg Crime
1 in 64
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 11
Property Crime Risk

Is Selma Safe?

Selma has a crime rate that is 303% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 64.

Crime Index Comparison

Selma
403
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.

Your Chance of Being a Victim

High Risk

Violent Crime

1 in 64

chance per year

National average: 1 in 263

312% higher than national average

High Risk

Property Crime

1 in 11

chance per year

National average: 1 in 55

395% higher than national average

Selma Crime Breakdown

Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.

Highest Risk
Vehicle Theft · 383% above avg
Lowest Risk
Burglary · 248% above avg
Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
432 +332% Very High
Assault
416 +316% Very High
Robbery
387 +287% High
Rape
435 +335% Very High
Property Crime
Burglary
348 +248% High
Larceny / Theft
470 +370% Very High
Vehicle Theft
483 +383% Very High

Violent vs Property Crime

Crime Index by Category

Selma Crime Map

Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

Selma Crime by Zip Code

Explore crime data for specific Selma zip codes.

Selma Demographics & Context

Population
17,762
Median Income
$26,581
Home Value
$87,184
Median Rent
$645
Ownership
42%

Racial Demographics

Hispanic / Latino 0.8%
White 26.5%
Black 71.1%
Asian 0.6%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Selma, AL?

Selma, AL has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 303% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 64 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 11 chance for property crime. Selma has higher crime than 100% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Is Selma, AL safe to live in?

Selma has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Selma is strongly recommended.

What is the violent crime rate in Selma?

The estimated violent crime rate in Selma is 1,568.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 312% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 64 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 21.6 per 100K (332% above average); aggravated assault at 1,114.9 per 100K (316% above average); robbery at 285.8 per 100K (287% above average).

What is the property crime rate in Selma?

The estimated property crime rate in Selma is 9,075.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 395% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 11 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 939.0 per 100K (248% above average); larceny/theft at 6,595.6 per 100K (370% above average); vehicle theft at 1,541.0 per 100K (383% above average).

How does Selma crime compare to the national average?

Selma's overall crime rate is 303% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (383% above average), while burglary is 248% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Selma has higher crime than 100% of them.

Is Selma safe to visit?

Visitors to Selma should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 395% 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 Selma crime compare to the rest of Alabama?

Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Selma's crime rate is 303% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Alabama city.

What type of crime is most common in Selma?

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Selma, with an estimated rate of 6,595.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 370% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (9,076 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (1,569 per 100K) in Selma, which is consistent with national trends.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State