Watson, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 83% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated March 2026
Is Watson Safe?
Watson has a crime rate that is 30% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 198.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 198
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
33% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 117
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
53% lower than national average
Watson 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
|
130 | +30% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
142 | +42% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
90 | -10% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
159 | +59% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
107 | +7% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
8 | -92% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
144 | +44% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Watson Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
Watson Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Watson zip codes.
Watson Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Watson, AL?
Watson, AL has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 30% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 198 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 117 chance for property crime. Watson has higher crime than 83% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Watson, AL safe to live in?
Watson 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 Watson is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Watson?
The estimated violent crime rate in Watson is 506.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 33% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 198 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.5 per 100K (30% above average); aggravated assault at 379.6 per 100K (42% above average); robbery at 66.6 per 100K (10% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Watson?
The estimated property crime rate in Watson is 857.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 53% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 117 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 289.3 per 100K (7% above average); larceny/theft at 108.2 per 100K (92% below average); vehicle theft at 459.5 per 100K (44% above average).
How does Watson crime compare to the national average?
Watson's overall crime rate is 30% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (59% above average), while larceny/theft is 92% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Watson has higher crime than 83% of them.
Is Watson safe to visit?
Visitors to Watson should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 53% 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 Watson crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Watson's crime rate is 30% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Watson?
Vehicle theft is the most common crime in Watson, with an estimated rate of 459.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 44% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (857 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (506 per 100K) in Watson, which is consistent with national trends.