Birmingham Crime Scores Explained: Jefferson County Data Says
By Sharon Ben-Moshe · September 28, 2026
Jefferson County safety statistics show sharp contrasts between suburban ridges and industrial city centers. Here is a factual analysis of Birmingham ZIP code crime scores based on law enforcement data.
Birmingham forms the core of Alabama's largest metropolitan area. Law enforcement records from the Birmingham Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office show distinct safety profiles dividing urban valley communities from suburban ridge developments.
Jefferson County crime and neighborhood ratings
Ratings are calculated against Alabama statewide safety benchmarks using incident reports from the FBI Crime Data Explorer and public education files from the National Center for Education Statistics.
- Inverness and Highway 280 (35242): Scores 50 overall with a 25 crime score and a 79 school score. Median home price is $565,630 with median rent of $1,579 in Shelby and Jefferson county border communities.
- Vestavia Hills Border (35243): Scores 42 overall with a 25 crime score and a 61 school score. Median property price is $587,341 with median rent of $1,718.
- Central Business District (35203): Scores 42 overall with a 25 crime score and a 61 school score. Median home price is $314,720 with median rent of $1,469.
- UAB and Medical Center (35233): Scores 40 overall with a 25 crime score and a 57 school score. Median property price sits at $308,498 with median rent of $1,633.
- Five Points South and Highland Park (35205): Scores 38 overall with a 25 crime score and a 52 school score. Median home price is $229,031 with median rent of $1,049.
Safety patterns across the Birmingham metro
In Jefferson County, residential subdivisions separated by Red Mountain and Shades Mountain display lower call volumes than central industrial corridors. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that household incomes and homeowner occupancy are highest along the southern corridor.
Choosing a Birmingham neighborhood
Movers can consult our neighborhood checklist or compare local ZIP codes directly on the Birmingham comparison tool.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Birmingham ZIP code has the highest overall score?
Suburban ZIP 35242 along the Highway 280 corridor scores 50 overall with a 79 school score and a median home price of $565,630.
How do downtown Birmingham crime scores compare to the suburbs?
Downtown ZIP 35203 and Southside 35205 record higher incident volumes per resident than southern ridge communities like 35242 and 35243.