Sheffield, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Sheffield Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Sheffield has a crime rate that is 44% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 202.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 202
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
30% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 42
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
29% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Sheffield 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
|
151 | +51% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
117 | +17% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
122 | +22% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
137 | +37% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Sheffield Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Sheffield Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Sheffield zip codes.
Sheffield Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Sheffield, AL?
Sheffield, AL has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 44% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 202 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 42 chance for property crime. Sheffield has higher crime than 86% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Sheffield, AL safe to live in?
Sheffield 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 Sheffield is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Sheffield?
The estimated violent crime rate in Sheffield is 494.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 30% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 202 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.6 per 100K (51% above average); aggravated assault at 383.0 per 100K (43% above average); robbery at 65.0 per 100K (12% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Sheffield?
The estimated property crime rate in Sheffield is 2,367.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 29% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 42 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 220.6 per 100K (18% below average); larceny/theft at 1,711.7 per 100K (22% above average); vehicle theft at 435.4 per 100K (37% above average).
How does Sheffield crime compare to the national average?
Sheffield's overall crime rate is 44% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (51% above average), while burglary is 18% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Sheffield has higher crime than 86% of them.
Is Sheffield safe to visit?
Visitors to Sheffield should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 29% 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 Sheffield crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Sheffield's crime rate is 44% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Sheffield?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Sheffield, with an estimated rate of 1,711.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 22% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,368 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (495 per 100K) in Sheffield, which is consistent with national trends.