Residents of Alabama enjoy their home state, but crime does happen there. The website RoadSnacks looked at FBI data on Alabama cities with 5,000 or more people to make a list of the state’s most dangerous cities. They came to the conclusion that these 5 towns are some of the most dangerous places to live in Alabama.
Anniston’s past is very eventful. That is, in 1882, it was the first city in the state to have power. In 1884, people in Anniston were also having the convenience of telephones. An ever-growing list of businesses, industries, churches, and schools sprung up as Anniston’s population grew.
Today, though, it’s the most dangerous place in Alabama, with 2,992 violent crimes per 100,000 people. Allow us to examine them. Note that these Alabama towns are not in any particular order and are not inherently “bad” places.
1. Anniston (Population: Approx. 23,000)
The town of Anniston is in the northeastern part of the state. A little over 22,400 people live there. The crime rate in this city is 2,992 per 100,000 people, which is 68% higher than the national average. You can find the county home of Calhoun County in Anniston.
In the past few years, Anniston has been updating the city to bring in tourists, businesses, retirees, and young workers. Additionally, there is a 10% chance that a resident or tourist will become a victim of a crime. Because of this, if you ever visit this place, make sure you don’t do too much, especially at night.
2. Oxford (Population: Approx. 22,069)
Oxford is mostly in the southern part of Calhoun County. It is on Interstate 20, which runs through the southern part of the city and can be reached from exits 179, 185, 188, and 191. When you take the I-20, you can go west 62 miles (100 km), and you can go east 88 miles (142 km).
Along I-20, U.S. Route 78 goes through the city and ties it to Cleburne County. Along Alabama State Route 21, you can get from the city to Talladega, which is 21 miles (34 km) to the southwest. At the 2020 census, there were 22,069 people living in Oxford.
It is one of the two main towns in the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area and has the most people of any city in Calhoun County. Located in both Calhoun and Talladega counties, Oxford had a high rate of violent crime and property crime in 2018. Areas within Oxford considered riskier include Coldwater, Bynum, and Munford
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Roswell, Georgia!
3. Piedmont (Population: Approx. 4,787)
Alabama in the United States has a city called Piedmont. It is in Calhoun and Cherokee counties. In 2020, there were 4,400 people living there. It is part of the Megapolitan Statistical Area for Anniston and Oxford, Alabama.
With US Hwy 278, the city is about 1.5 hours west of Atlanta, Georgia, and 1.5 hours northeast of Birmingham. It is also 20 minutes north of Anniston, Alabama, on AL-21, and 25 minutes east of Gadsden, Alabama, with US Hwy 278. Jacksonville State University’s campus is about ten miles south of Piedmont on AL-21.
It is in Jacksonville, Alabama. A city extending into both Calhoun and Cherokee counties, Piedmont had significant rates of serious crime and property crime in 2018. Its location near the Georgia state line might influence cross-border crime rates.
4. Jacksonville (Population: Approx. 14,385)
“Jacksonville” is an American city in Calhoun County. In 2010, there were 12,548 people living there, which is 49% more than in 2000. In the Anniston-Oxford Metropolitan Statistical Area, it is used. Jax State University is in the city.
It is a business hub and one of the biggest companies in the area. This city experienced a significant increase in crime rates from 2010 to 2018. Its proximity to major highways like Interstate 20 and U.S. Route 431 may contribute to its crime rates.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Johns Creek, Georgia!
5. Weaver (Population: Approx. 3,339)
“Weaver” is a city in Alabama, USA’s Calhoun County. The population was 3,339 at the 2020 census. The Anniston-Oxford, Alabama Metropolitan Statistical Area includes it.
Despite having very low crime rates in both 2010 and 2018, Weaver experienced at least one murder case annually during this period. Economic challenges are also present, with a notable percentage of the population living in poverty.