HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — New FBI statistics show that Huntsville’s crime rate has been steadily climbing over the past five years, leaving the city well above national norms in key categories.
Between 2019 and 2023, Huntsville recorded an average violent crime rate of 170.8 per 100,000 residents, approximately 61% higher than the national average of 106.2 per 100,000. Meanwhile, property crime averaged 210.4 per 100,000, nearly 29% above the national rate of 163.6 per 100,000. These increases stand out amid broader national declines in crime. ( Crime Explorer)
Breaking the data down further:
- Aggravated assault is especially troubling, with Huntsville’s rate of 28.5 per 100,000 coming in about 28% higher than the national average of 22.3 per 100,000.
- Burglary is significantly elevated at 37.4 per 100,000, around 55.5% above the national average of 24.0 per 100,000.
- Larceny/theft also remains problematic at 157.0 per 100,000, outpacing the national rate of 116.4 by 35%.
- Motor vehicle theft, however, bucked the trend—at 14.7 per 100,000, it remains low, 34% under the national average of 22.2 per 100,000. (Citytistics, Crime Explorer)
These figures underscore persistent public safety challenges in North Alabama’s largest city. Elevated rates of violent and property crimes—particularly assaults and burglaries—highlight the need for targeted crime-reduction strategies…