Is St. Albans Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

St. Albans, Vermont, is a picturesque town located in Franklin County, known for its rich history and unique geographical distinctions.

The town comprises the City of St. Albans, the Town of St. Albans, and St. Albans Bay, each offering charm and character.

The City of St. Albans serves as the commercial and cultural hub, with a vibrant downtown area featuring historic buildings and a welcoming community.

Originally settled in the late 18th century, the city played a significant role during the Civil War, notably as the site of the St. Albans Raid in 1864, where Confederate soldiers launched an attack from Canada.

St. Albans is centered between Burlington to the south and Canada to the north.

Lake Champlain is just west of the city, with St. Albans Bay being the perfect access point to the water.

Surrounding the city, the Town of St. Albans provides a more rural and residential atmosphere.

It encompasses various scenic landscapes, from rolling hills to farmland, offering a tranquil setting for residents and visitors alike.

The city of St. Albans is also going through a renaissance of sorts.

With new developments and a community push to revitalize downtown, the classic charm is being preserved while bringing in a new class of businesses and restaurants for more mass appeal.

Warnings & Dangers in St. Albans

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low but growing risk in St. Albans. However, here's hoping that by the time you read this, the crime rates of 2023 and 2024 are subsiding. The biggest concerns are petty thefts, and you can find plenty of things to do nearby in safe places.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Green Mountain Transit offers fixed bus routes around St. Albans and the region. You can check the schedule online or download the MyRide by GMT app. Taxis and rideshares are plentiful, and rental cars are a great option. All risks are low as long as you practice basic safety steps.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM

Over the past decades, just 12 pickpockets or purse snatchings have been reported. That's a low risk, statistically, but as I'll detail a little later on, theft rates are on the rise. There's a sense of "protect anything that isn't nailed down" due to the increase. Because of the theft risk, I'm going to put this as a medium risk.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

St. Albans faces natural disaster risks primarily from severe winter storms, flooding, and occasional tornadoes. The region's vulnerability to heavy snowfall and ice storms can disrupt daily life and infrastructure. Flooding from heavy rain or snowmelt poses significant risks to homes and businesses in low-lying areas. I'm putting this at a medium risk just to keep you weather-aware, but all threats come with advance notice.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Over the past decade, just five muggings have been reported, so that's a low risk. In general, St. Alban's thieves would rather wait for a crime of opportunity than confront you directly.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

St. Albans has a low terrorism risk, especially the traditional international terrorism that the topic usually refers to. However, there's a drug problem in the city, town, county, state and country. Plus, the Canadian border is just a short distance away, which could bring drug, gun, or human traffickers through the port of entry. Authorities emphasize the importance of staying alert and reporting suspicious activities to ensure public safety.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. Most of the reported cases here involve spoofing phone numbers. Being aware of scammers' tactics will help keep the risk low, as residents are most likely to be targeted.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but you'll need to have street smarts and a "big city" personal safety attitude. Beyond some of the most sketchy parts of town, there's a lot to do here for women of all ages. Solo travelers should try to stick with crowds, especially at night.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. Two violations were reported on the St. Albans annual report, but those issues have been fixed and shouldn't be an issue moving forward.

Safest Places to Visit in St. Albans

Start with the Downtown St. Albans website to get a list of businesses, hotels, and dining options downtown.

As this area is growing, new places to visit will be added in the coming years.

Also, check the list of events.

St. Albans has a lot of festivals throughout the year.

One of the key attractions in St. Albans is the historic downtown district.

This area is lined with beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings that house locally owned and operated shops and restaurants.

Taylor Park is a green space downtown and is home to the local farmer’s market.

On the other side of the park, St. Albans Historical Museum is another must-see location for visitors.

Housed in a former school building, the museum showcases artifacts and exhibits that tell the story of the town’s development from its founding to the present day.

Most of the other things to do will take you into the beautiful natural surroundings of the city.

St. Albans Bay Park is on the shores of Lake Champlain and offers stunning views, picnic areas, and walking trails.

It’s an ideal spot for outdoor activities like fishing, boating, or simply enjoying a peaceful afternoon by the water.

If you keep driving past St. Albans Bay, you’ll reach Kill Kare State Park.

This beautiful peninsula park on Lake Champlain is surrounded by water on three sides.

This former resort area has a museum at Rocky Point House, where you can explore a bygone era of adventure on the lake.

Another reason to visit the peninsula is to take the ferry to Burton Island State Park.

If you review our article about the Champlain Islands, you’ll find several parks that are only accessible by water.

Hard’ack Recreation Area is perfect as a four-season destination but a must-see in winter.

Opt for skiing, Nordic skiing, snowshoeing, or sledding.

Most equipment can be borrowed from the lodge if you don’t have your own.

This expansive area offers hiking trails, sports fields, and, in the winter, a popular sledding hill.

The 26-mile Missisquoi Valley Rail Trail (known locally as MVRT) in Vermont offers a scenic route for biking, walking, and snowmobiling.

It runs from St. Albans to Richford, featuring picturesque farmland, forested areas, and riverside views.

There are three access points in St. Albans.

Places to Avoid in St. Albans

There’s not really a dangerous part of town in St. Albans, but there can be sketchy areas or less-than-desirable places after dark.

In addition, with so much redevelopment going on downtown, the hot spot today for crime could be safe in six months.

The main things to avoid are homeless camps and drug activity, both of which are pretty easy to spot.

Vermont has some pretty lenient panhandling rules, too, so you might see people begging for money on the sidewalk or at busy intersections.

In one incident, a man was sitting in his truck when a woman asked him for money.

He said no, and she took the breakfast sandwich he was holding and $40 that was on the dashboard.

Don’t engage with people begging for money.

If you want to help, donate to a local homeless shelter.

Safety Tips for Traveling to St. Albans

So... How Safe Is St. Albans Really?

There are several layers of safety to peel back in St. Albans.

I’ll be honest – answering that question isn’t easy because today’s answer might not be tomorrow’s answer.

Furthermore, the answer from the official crime data I have in 2022 changed substantially in some ways from 2023 and then again in 2024.

Let’s start with a look at the crime data from 2022, just as a baseline.

Keep in mind some of these numbers end up statistically exaggerated due to the small size of St. Albans City (6,800) and the requirement to figure out crime data per 100,000 people.

• Violent Crime Rate: 62% higher than the state average and 44% higher than the national average. Looking at raw data, there were 40 violent crimes in 2022.
• Violent Crime Victims: Between 2018 and 2022, one in five violent crime victims were unknown to their assailant. That lowers the risk of a tourist being a victim of a random act of violence.
• Theft Rate: Based on 236 thefts, the theft rate is 145% higher than the national average. However, that theft rate has been cut in half from the decade’s peak in 2017.

Now, historical data also must be considered with a grain of salt since St. Albans City Police Department once provided law enforcement for the town, but then the Sheriff’s Office took over, and now it’s going back to the city.

Here’s the kicker to all of this – all the moving parts for police services in Franklin County and the St. Alban’s communities in 2023/2024 revolve around a skyrocketing crime rate in certain sectors.

Without going too deep into the weeds on this topic, local leaders and law enforcement are trying to find the most financially feasible way to fund the police, expand coverage, and focus on crime hot spots.

To answer the “How Safe is St. Albans REALLY,” there’s another layer.

Felonies might be down in 2023, but petty crimes, like retail theft, are surging.

As an example given during a 2024 community safety meeting, from January through June 2023, fewer than 40 retail thefts were reported.

From January through June 2024, that number quadrupled.

“I am totally shocked at what has happened to St. Albans City.

Brings me to tears what’s happened,” resident Robin Bluen said.

As many Vermont cities face challenges with the Opioid Crisis, Franklin County has been hit especially hard.

Adding in rising costs of living and personal difficulties feeds the addiction patterns that lead to more petty theft.

While retail theft might seem like a victimless crime, it can lead to additional crimes, including injuries to bystanders due to pursuits or more aggressive thefts involving weapons.

All that said, Vermont is still the safest state in the nation and visiting St. Albans is safe for anyone who is used to the traditional crime rates of the average or slightly above average city.

The safety issues you’ll read about in local forums are far more shocking to the residents who are used to a nearly crimeless state.

The merging of the city and town into one law enforcement entity could greatly improve crime data.

It’s a safe place to visit, but not nearly as safe as it used to be in some respects.

How Does St. Albans Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges. If you are visiting Canada, the Canadian Dollar is accepted there. Some places might accept USD but don't bank on it.

Weather

St. Albans gets long, cold, snowy winters with mild summers. Spring and fall can fluctuate temperatures often, but they err on the side of being colder. The summer highs generally don't go above 80° F, and lows will get into the 50s. Winter lows reach single digits with the potential for sub-zero wind chills. Between late November and early March, it might not get above freezing, even during the daytime.

Airports

The closest commercial airport to St. Albans, Vermont, is Burlington International Airport (BTV), located in South Burlington, Vermont. The airport is approximately 30 miles south of St. Albans, making it the most convenient option for commercial flights in the area. You can also consider Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in Montreal, Quebec, which is approximately 70 miles (113 kilometers) by road. The driving time is typically around 1.5 hours, depending on traffic and border crossing times.

Travel Insurance

Get peace of mind with travel insurance. Whether you're traveling domestically or internationally, travel insurance covers unexpected issues like cancelations or medical emergencies. If you plan to visit Canada, verify your insurance is in effect there.

St. Albans Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Vermont - Safety by City