This is a presentation of the most dangerous places in Birmingham, Alabama – a city with deep historical roots and cultural significance, but ongoing challenges in certain neighborhoods. Reports based on FBI data and local police records highlight areas where violent crime, property offenses, and drug activity are disproportionately concentrated. These rankings don’t define the entire city, but they provide a snapshot of where safety concerns are most pressing. Understanding these hotspots helps residents, policymakers, and visitors gain perspective on the realities shaping Birmingham’s communities.

Top 50 Most Dangerous Places In Birmingham

1. Ensley

Ensley is one of Birmingham’s most crime‑affected neighborhoods, with high rates of violent crime and property offenses. Gang activity, drug trafficking, and poverty contribute to persistent safety concerns. Despite revitalization efforts, shootings and robberies remain common. Residents emphasize resilience and community pride, but crime continues to shape daily life. Local initiatives focus on youth programs, policing reforms, and economic development to reduce violence. Ensley’s history as a once‑thriving industrial hub contrasts sharply with its current challenges.

2. East Lake

East Lake experiences elevated burglary, theft, and assault rates. Poverty and unemployment drive much of the neighborhood’s crime challenges. Drug activity and gang presence exacerbate safety concerns. Despite these issues, East Lake has a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for sustained investment and systemic solutions.

3. North Birmingham

North Birmingham struggles with persistent violent crime, including shootings and assaults. Drug activity and gang presence contribute significantly to safety concerns. Poverty and limited economic opportunities exacerbate the problem. Despite these challenges, residents emphasize community pride and resilience. Local initiatives focus on youth programs, rehabilitation, and neighborhood revitalization. Law enforcement targets gang activity, but systemic issues remain. North Birmingham reflects both the risks and resilience of Birmingham, highlighting the need for sustained investment in education and economic growth.

4. Central City

Central City, encompassing Birmingham’s downtown, faces crime challenges tied to nightlife and economic inequality. Robberies, thefts, and assaults are common, particularly in entertainment districts. Despite crime concerns, Central City is also a hub of revitalization, with new businesses and cultural attractions. Residents and visitors emphasize the need for balanced policing that supports community trust. Efforts to reduce crime focus on youth engagement and neighborhood revitalization. Central City reflects both the risks and opportunities of Birmingham’s urban core.

5. Southside

Southside experiences crime issues linked to nightlife, including assaults and robberies. Property crime, such as burglary and theft, is also common. Despite these challenges, Southside is known for its cultural vibrancy, with restaurants, music venues, and universities shaping its identity. Residents emphasize resilience and community pride, even as safety concerns persist. Local initiatives focus on youth programs, rehabilitation, and neighborhood revitalization. Southside reflects both the risks and resilience of Birmingham, highlighting the need for sustained investment in safety.

6. West End

West End has long struggled with poverty, unemployment, and violent crime. Shootings, assaults, and robberies are common, driven by gang activity and drug trafficking. Despite these challenges, West End maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for better policing and social programs. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment.

7. Collegeville

Collegeville experiences high rates of violent crime and drug‑related offenses. Poverty and unemployment contribute to persistent safety concerns. Despite these challenges, Collegeville has a strong community identity, with residents advocating for better policing and social programs. Local initiatives focus on youth engagement and rehabilitation efforts. Law enforcement targets gang activity, but systemic issues remain. Collegeville reflects both the risks and resilience of Birmingham, highlighting the need for sustained investment in education, economic opportunities, and neighborhood revitalization.

8. Kingston

Kingston faces crime challenges tied to property offenses and gang activity. Burglaries, thefts, and assaults are common concerns. Poverty and unemployment exacerbate safety issues. Despite these challenges, Kingston maintains a strong community identity, with residents advocating for revitalization and better policing. Grassroots organizations emphasize youth engagement and rehabilitation programs. The neighborhood’s resilience is evident in ongoing efforts to improve safety, even as crime statistics highlight the need for systemic solutions and sustained investment in community development.

9. Avondale

Avondale has seen rising burglary and theft incidents, alongside assaults linked to nightlife activity. Despite crime concerns, Avondale is also known for its cultural vibrancy, with restaurants, breweries, and music venues shaping its identity. Residents emphasize resilience and community pride, even as safety concerns persist. Local initiatives focus on youth programs, rehabilitation, and neighborhood revitalization. Avondale reflects both the risks and opportunities of Birmingham, highlighting the need for balanced policing and sustained investment in safety and growth.

10. Five Points South

Five Points South experiences crime issues tied to nightlife, including robberies and assaults. Property crime, such as burglary and theft, is also common. Despite these challenges, Five Points South is known for its cultural vibrancy, with restaurants, music venues, and universities shaping its identity. Residents emphasize resilience and community pride, even as safety concerns persist. Local initiatives focus on youth programs, rehabilitation, and neighborhood revitalization. Five Points South reflects both the risks and resilience of Birmingham’s urban core.

Top 50 Most Dangerous Areas & Neighborhoods — Birmingham, AL

Rank	Area / Neighborhood	General Location	Key Crime Characteristics
1	Ensley	West Birmingham	Longstanding hotspot for violent crime, shootings, robberies, abandoned properties.
2	Fairview	West of I-65 (south of Ensley)	High rates of shootings, assaults, property crime; spillover from Ensley.
3	Smithfield	West Birmingham	Elevated aggravated assaults and robberies.
4	West End	SW of Downtown	Persistent gang-related incidents, shootings, property crime.
5	East Birmingham	Eastside	High per-capita violent incidents and burglaries.
6	North Birmingham	North of Downtown	Industrial/residential mix; frequent assaults and burglaries.
7	Central City	Immediately north/west of Downtown	Robberies and nighttime violence near downtown edges.
8	Woodlawn	NE Birmingham	Mixed revitalization; robberies, break-ins, drug calls remain above average.
9	Wylam	West Birmingham	Recurring violent incidents and shootings.
10	Riley / Collegeville edge	West/NW Birmingham	Elevated gun incidents and robberies.
11	Gate City (public-housing areas)	West Birmingham	Concentrated violent crime in housing clusters.
12	Tuxedo	SW Birmingham	Higher-than-average violent and property crime.
13	Mason City	West Birmingham	Frequent weapons calls, assaults.
14	Pratt City	NW Birmingham	Historic hotspots for violent incidents and property crime.
15	East Lake	NE Birmingham	Pockets of serious violent crime; social-service focus areas.
16	Airport Highlands / Airport Hills	N/NW Birmingham	Repeated reports of thefts, burglaries, and assaults.
17	South Pratt / South Pratt Rd area	West/SW Birmingham	Persistent violent and property crime clusters.
18	Norwood	North of Downtown	Revitalization underway but still reports significant crime.
19	Avondale (entertainment district & edges)	East of Southside	Nightlife assaults and surrounding residential property crime.
20	Five Points South (late night)	Southside	Bar-area fights, robberies, DUI incidents after hours.
21	Redmont Park / Redmont area	Central (near Crestline)	Some violent/property crime pockets despite nearby affluence.
22	Roebuck Springs / Roebuck	SE Birmingham	Higher local rates of assault and theft.
23	Fountain Heights	East/SE Birmingham	Elevated property crime and periodic violent events.
24	Crestwood (edges)	Central Birmingham	Mixed — pockets with recurring burglaries and assaults.
25	Eastwood	E of Crestline	Reports of theft, break-ins and occasional violent incidents.
26	Brownville / Brownville Heights	N/NW Birmingham	Longstanding economic distress and higher crime calls.
27	Kingston / Kingston-Inglenook area	East Birmingham	Pockets of violent crime and drug activity.
28	Bush Hills / Bush Hills vicinity	SE/central fringe	Property crime and domestic-violence reports concentrated here.
29	Sun Valley / Echo Highlands	NW Birmingham	Higher rates of property crime and some violent incidents.
30	Glen Iris / Glen Iris Park area	Central NE	Sporadic violent incidents and theft clusters.
31	Sherwood / Sherwood Forest (southern parts)	Central BR-style corridor	Theft/robbery spillover along southern stretches.
32	Norwood / Highland Ave corridor	North central	Car break-ins, robberies near commercial strips.
33	Spring Lake / Spring Lake Heights	North/NW	Recurrent property crime and occasional violent spikes.
34	Roebuck / Roebuck Pkwy corridor	SE corridors	Vehicle thefts and residential break-ins.
35	Red Mountain (lower slopes / edges)	South / near UAB edges	Opportunistic thefts; occasional assaults in nearby nightlife zones.
36	Highland Park / Highland Ave corridor	Near downtown/central	Nighttime bar fights and robberies in entertainment pockets.
37	Jones Valley (some pockets)	South-central	Mixed stability but some streets show elevated crime.
38	Collegeville	North side	Locals report higher violent incidents and youth-related calls.
39	Sherman Heights / Northside clusters	NW neighborhoods	Property crime and periodic violent calls.
40	Elyton Village / Government St corridor	Central	Nightlife and late-night theft/assault reports.
41	East Lake Industrial / adjacent residential	NE industrial fringe	Drug activity and related violent incidents.
42	Roebuck Estates / nearby apartment clusters	SE Birmingham	Dense apartments with higher call volumes for assault/theft.
43	Woodlawn Heights / adjacent corridors	NE	Repeat reports of break-ins and robberies.
44	College Hills / adjacent corridors	North central	Vehicle break-ins and property thefts reported.
45	Cooper Green / Industrial edges	SW/near medical campus	Opportunistic theft and occasional violent incidents.
46	Edgewater / Edgewater Terrace areas	NW river/creek edges	Residential burglaries and some violent incidents.
47	Jefferson – Ensley corridor (strip pockets)	West corridors	Commercial robberies and street violence.
48	Old Ensley historic core (specific blocks)	West Ensley core	Very high incident concentration on targeted blocks.
49	Central East / Inglenook fringe	East central	Elevated drug-related and property crime.
50	Southside / UAB fringe (student rental clusters)	South central	Apartment thefts, car break-ins, occasional assaults near bars.

Closing

While Birmingham’s most dangerous places underscore serious safety concerns, they also reflect broader issues such as poverty, unemployment, and limited opportunities. Behind every statistic are families and communities striving for resilience and change. Recognizing these challenges is the first step toward meaningful solutions, from stronger policing to investment in education and economic growth. Birmingham’s identity is not solely tied to crime—it is also a city of history, pride, and determination, working toward safer, stronger neighborhoods for the future.