Opelika, AL Crime Rates

Key Findings

On average, there is approximately 1 violent crime occurring for every 147 people in Opelika.

Opelika's violent crime rate is higher than the national average. It stands at 6.8 incidents per 1000 residents, compared to the national average of 4 incidents per 1000 residents.

Opelika's property crime rate is considerably higher than the national average. It is recorded at 42.92 incidents per 1000 residents, in stark contrast to the national average of 20 incidents per 1000 residents.

Last updated on February 14th, 2024 at 08:58 pm

by Mahmoud Mustafa | Jan 23, 2024

Understanding the safety of a community is of utmost importance, whether you are considering relocation, permanent or temporary residence, work, or even just a visit. Here, we will delve deep into the crime data of Opelika, shedding light on the city’s crime rate and providing valuable insights to assist you in making informed decisions.

Opelika, like any other city in Alabama, experiences various types of criminal activities. In order to gain a better understanding of the city’s crime landscape, it is helpful to categorize the offenses into three main categories: Violent Crimes, Property Crimes, and Other Crimes.

Total number of crimes in Opelika, AL. This information may differ from what we’ll discuss below¹.

Is Opelika Safe? Crimes Breakdown

	Violent	Property	Other
Total Number	215	1,358	505
Rate per 1000	6.79	42.91	15.96

Based on NIBRS data², there are approximately 19 different types of crimes recorded in Opelika. These crimes vary in severity, with some considered less serious, such as simple assaults, forgery, and ATM fraud, while others are treated with utmost seriousness, including murder and rape. In our analysis, we have focused on the most significant crimes, particularly those that have a direct impact on people’s safety and lives.

Opelika’s Violent Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)

Opelika has a lower violent crime rate compared to Alabama, but higher than the national average. In Opelika, the rate of violent crimes is 6.8 incidents per 1000 residents, while in Alabama it is 8.15 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 4 incidents per 1000 residents.

Comparison of Violent Crime Rates: Opelika vs. National Average

Examining the violent crime rates in Opelika compared to the national average enables us to gain a comprehensive understanding of the percentage variance for each specific crime. By conducting this analysis, we can effectively gauge the relative levels of safety and security in Opelika in relation to the broader national landscape.

Opelika’s Violent Crimes Statistics

	Murder	Rape	Assault	Robbery	Kidnapping
Total Number	1	10	183	17	4
Rate per 1000	0.03	0.32	5.78	0.54	0.13
Population	31,644

United States Violent Crimes Statistics

	Murder	Rape	Assault	Robbery	Kidnapping
Total Number	23,195	145,750	939,092	207,616	36,890
Rate per 1000	0.07	0.44	2.83	0.63	0.11
Population	331,889,360

Insights into Violent Crimes in Opelika

Opelika’s murder crime rate is 0.03, which is significantly lower than the national average of 0.07 by 57%.
On the other hand, the rape crime rate is 0.32, which is lower than the national average of 0.44 by 27%.
The assault crime rate of the city stands at 5.78, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2.83 by 104%.
Robbery is not a concern in Opelika, with a crime rate of 0.54, which is lower than the national average of 0.63 by 14%.
The city’s kidnapping crime rate is 0.13, which is higher than the national average of 0.11 by 18%.

Opelika’s Property Crime Rate (Per 1000 Residents)

Opelika has a higher property crime rate compared to both Alabama and the national average. In Opelika, the rate of property crimes is 42.92 incidents per 1000 residents, while in Alabama it is 29.26 incidents per 1000 residents, and the national average is 20 incidents per 1000 residents.

Comparison of Property Crime Rates: Opelika vs. National Average

Similar to our examination of violent crime rates, analyzing the property crime rates in Opelika compared to the national average provides us with valuable insights into the percentage variances for each specific property-related offense.

Opelika’s Property Crime Rate Statistics

	Burglary	Arson	Vandalism	Blackmail	Theft	Vehicle Theft	Identity Theft
Total Number	80	2	281	2	784	91	118
Rate per 1000	2.53	0.06	8.88	0.06	24.78	2.88	3.73
Population	31,644

United States Property Crimes Statistics

	Burglary	Arson	Vandalism	Blackmail	Theft	Vehicle Theft	Identity Theft
Total Number	898,487	27,917	1,307,229	12,270	4,630,773	888,618	187,853
Rate per 1000	2.72	0.08	3.94	0.04	13.95	2.68	0.87
Population	331,889,360

Insights into Property Crimes in Opelika

Opelika experiences a burglary crime rate of 2.53, which is lower than the national average of 2.72 by 7%.
The arson crime rate is 0.06, which is lower than the national average of 0.08 by 25%.
Vandalism is a significant concern in Opelika, with a crime rate of 8.88, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.94 by 125%.
The blackmail crime rate is 0.06, which is higher than the national average of 0.04 by 50%.
Theft is another area of focus, with a crime rate of 24.78 in Opelika, which is higher than the national average of 13.95 by 78%.
On the other hand, motor vehicle theft in the city has a rate of 2.88, which is higher than the national average of 2.68 by 7%.
Opelika faces a higher rate of identity theft, with a crime rate of 3.73, which is 329% higher than the national average of 0.87.

Opelika’s Other Crimes Statistics

	Drugs Offenses	Weapon Law Violations	Prostitution	Animal Cruelty
Total Number	454	45	0	5
Rate per 1000	14.35	1.42	0.03	0.16
Population	31,644

United States Other Crimes Statistics

	Drugs Offenses	Weapon Law Violations	Prostitution	Animal Cruelty
Total Number	1,290,858	267,955	11,565	16,497
Rate per 1000	3.89	0.81	0.04	0.05
Population	331,889,360

Insights into Other Crimes in Opelika

Drug offenses are a significant concern in Opelika, with a rate of 14.35, which is significantly higher than the national average of 3.89 by 269%.
Weapon law violations are another area of focus. The city’s weapon law violations rate is 1.42, which is higher than the national average of 0.81 by 75%.

Conclusion

Upon reviewing Opelika’s crime rates, it’s clear the city encounters distinct challenges in its violent crime landscape, particularly with offenses like assault surpassing the national average. Property crimes, including vandalism, theft, vehicle theft, and identity theft incidents, also exceed national averages, posing additional challenges. Furthermore, Opelika contends with elevated levels of drug offenses and weapon law violations, surpassing the national average. Addressing these issues is vital to fostering a safer environment and mitigating crime rates within Opelika.

Explore cities like Tuskegee, AL, which have a similar violent crime rate to Opelika. Also, explore places with a similar property crime rate like Opp, AL.

¹For this analysis, we will focus on the more significant ones that directly affect people’s safety and well-being, rather than delving into less critical offenses like simple assaults, ATM frauds, and forgery.

²The FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS) aims to enhance the quality of crime data collected by law enforcement agencies. It accomplishes this by capturing comprehensive details for each crime incident, including information about victims, known offenders, relationships between victims and offenders, arrestees, and the property involved in the crimes.