If you are thinking about visiting Montgomery and have some qualms about the safety of the city, we got you covered.
We are going to deep dive into the statistics, look at some maps, graphs and talk to the residents of the city to give you a better understanding of how safe Montgomery really is.
Is Montgomery, Alabama Safe To Visit?
Looking at the murder statistics and the number of shootings, Montgomery is not the safest place to visit. In 2021, Montgomery had a murder rate of 38.38 per 100,000 people and was one of the highest murder rates in the country. It’s murder rate is on par with cities like Kansas City, Dayton and Milwaukee. There were also more than 300 people shot in Montgomery in 2021.
Montgomery, Alabama Crime Stats
Montgomery’s Murder Stats
In 2021, Montgomery reported 71 homicides and had a homicide rate of 38.38 per 100,000 people.
- Murder has increased by 4% over 2020 when 68 homicides were reported and it has increased by 69% over 2019 when 42 homicides were reported.
- Montgomery’s murder rate is 5.9x greater than the national average.
- Montgomery’s murder rate is 4x greater than the state average.
Here’s a map showing you the locations of all the homicides in Montgomery from July 2021 – January 2022
Most Dangerous Neighborhoods In Montgomery, Alabama
- West Montgomery
- South Montgomery
- Chisolm
- West End
- Washington park
Safest Neighborhoods in Montgomery, Alabama
- Wynlakes
- Halycon
- The Grove
- Old Cloverdale
- Cloverdale
- Garden District
- Cottage Hill
- Eastchase
Is Downtown Montgomery, Alabama Safe?
Downtown Montgomery is generally a safe area to visit during the day time. At night the situation can vastly change in certain parts of downtown and we recommend that you stay in the well populated areas and don’t stray off the beaten path.
Is Montgomery, Alabama safe from hurricanes?
Although Montgomery is not completely safe from hurricanes, historically, it has been lucky to have only been on the receiving end of only three major hurricanes. Miami hurricane in 1926, Hurricane Frederic in 1979 and Hurricane Ivan in 2004, have all made landfall in Alabama.
Is Montgomery safe from Tornadoes?
Montgomery is not safe from tornadoes and is susceptible to them. Tornadoes in Alabama most often occur from March to May.
Is Montgomery in tornado alley?
Montgomery is not in tornado alley. The states of Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, South Dakota, Iowa and Nebraska are consider part of tornado alley. A study of tornadoes that occurred between 1921–1995 concluded almost 1/4 of all significant tornadoes occur in this area.
Is the public transportation in Montgomery safe?
The public transportation system in Montgomery is handled by The M. and it offers 17 fixed bus routes.
It is generally safe to use during commuting hours (8am – 6pm), however we do not recommend that you take the bus at night. You should opt for a taxi or ride sharing service instead.
What do residents of Montgomery say about it’s safety?
- " Generally, the west side and the south side are to be avoided."
- " The bad side of town is primarily the Southern Boulevard, Mobile Highway."
- "Montgomery is not dangerous, but like most cities there are parts you should avoid after dark."
- "The difference between the West and East side of Montgomery Alabama is vast. The west side is very poor in comparison and has a lot of abandoned and condemned houses."
- "Crime in Montgomery has increased tremendously over the years."
- "I’ve lived here all my life. Montgomery used to be a safe and friendly town to live in and I’ve seen it go downhill in the last 10 years."
Is Montgomery safe for women?
While there are no guarantees, Montgomery is generally safe for female solo travelers as long as you learn the layout of the city, avoid problem areas, stay in well lit/well populated areas and avoid walking by yourself at night.
Is Montgomery safe at night?
Montgomery is safe at night as long as you stay away from the sketchy neighborhoods mentioned above. You should be able to mitigate your chances of being a victim if you study the layout of the city and avoid areas where crime is high.
Streets and squares that are perfectly safe in the day can be questionable at night. Stay where the tourists go during the day and avoid any places that are outside normal pedestrian areas at night.
Is Montgomery’s tap water safe to drink?
The tap water in Montgomery, Alabama is safe to drink. While the tap water in Montgomery meets the EPA health guidelines, it can still contain contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run.
The biggest concern with tap water is immediately after a hurricane or tornado, which can disrupt the flow of clean water.
If you have any concerns about the tap water in Montgomery, we suggest that you use bottle water for your drinking needs.
Tips to stay safe while visiting Montgomery, Alabama
- Check the weather forecast a few days before you arrive. Make sure you are not arriving when there is a major storm system is about to touch down on the city.
- Learn the layout of the city and learn which areas you should avoid. Book your accommodations accordingly.
- Save the sight seeing for the daytime. At night the situation can drastically change in certain neighborhoods.
- Always be aware of your surroundings. Don’t bury your face in your phone or get lost in your headphones.
- Stick to well-trafficked and brightly lit areas at night. Don’t walk through alleys or desolate areas.
- Don’t walk far distances by yourself at night. Take a taxi or use a rider sharing service to get to your locations.
- Don’t leave valuables in your car or in plain sight in your car. If you have to leave anything in your car, leave it in the trunk.
A Few Things You Should Do While Visiting Montgomery According To Locals
- The National Memorial for Peace and Justice – A powerfully moving experience.
- Alabama State Museum – Great way to spend the afternoon and gobble up lot of fascinating information.
- The Rosa Parks Museum – Great museum to learn about the Civil Rights Movement.
- Harriet II Riverboat – Take a cruise on the Alabama River at sunset.
- Old Alabama Town – A neighborhood of preserved, old building that includes wonderful historical information and exhibits.
- Legacy Museum – Amazing display of history with lots to learn.
- Riverfront Park – Nice place to take a stroll.
- Walk around the capitol and read the historical markers.
- Prevail Coffee – Excellent coffee and pastries.
- Mrs B’s – Awesome southern home cooking.
Quick Facts About Montgomery
Fact |
Montgomery, Alabama |
United States |
Population, Census, April 1, 2020 |
200,603 |
331,449,281 |
Population, Census, April 1, 2010 |
205,764 |
308,745,538 |
Black or African American alone, percent |
60.8% |
13.4% |
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent |
0.2% |
1.3% |
Asian alone, percent |
2.9% |
5.9% |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent |
0.0% |
0.2% |
Two or More Races, percent |
1.9% |
2.8% |
Hispanic or Latino, percent |
3.7% |
18.5% |
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent |
30.7% |
60.1% |
Foreign born persons, percent, 2015-2019 |
4.9% |
13.6% |
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2015-2019 |
$121,200.00 |
$217,500.00 |
Median selected monthly owner costs -with a mortgage, 2015-2019 |
$1,123.00 |
$1,595.00 |
Median gross rent, 2015-2019 |
$881.00 |
$1,062.00 |
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019 |
86.3% |
88.0% |
Bachelor’s degree or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2015-2019 |
32.8% |
32.1% |
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years, percent |
12.2% |
10.2% |
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16 years+, 2015-2019 |
60.0% |
63.0% |
Median household income (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 |
$48,011.00 |
$62,843.00 |
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2019 dollars), 2015-2019 |
$28,191.00 |
$34,103.00 |
Persons in poverty, percent |
20.6% |
11.4% |
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