Alabama : Safety by City
- Auburn
- Birmingham
- Decatur
- Dothan
- Gulf Shores
- Hoover
- Huntsville
- Mobile
- Montgomery
- Muscle Shoals
- Phenix City
- Tuscaloosa
Tuscaloosa is the county seat of Tuscaloosa county which it also shares with Villa Tuscaloaoaoaoa.
The city has its origin as an Indian village that was located along the Black Warrior River.
It has an area of 79,510 acres and is 32 miles long.
The city is well known for its University of Alabama which was founded in 1831.
The city can also boast of other prestigious institutions like Paul W. Bryant High School, Stillman College, and Shelton State Community College.
It is the home of large corporations like Infinity Property & Casualty Corporation, Harbert Realty Services, BancorpSouth Bank, ABC Coke, and Springhill Medical Center.
The city is also the home of many famous people like Jamie Farr, who played in M*A*S*H*, James Dent Walker who was a former mayor, and Wayne Martin Blackburn, a Baseball Hall of Fame member.
Many movies have been filmed in Tuscaloosa including To Kill a Mockingbird which won three Academy Awards in 1963, Steel Magnolias, and The Chase.
Warnings & Dangers in Tuscaloosa
OVERALL RISK: LOW
The overall risk of traveling to Tuscaloosa is low. It is a college town in a small part of Alabama. However, it is also a low-income area so crime rates are high.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
The Transport and taxi risk in Tuscaloosa is low. Tuscaloosa's public transportation is provided by the city-operated Tuscaloosa Transit Authority. Many residents in Tuscaloosa County depend on this form of travel for both work and pleasure, but most notably to attend college at The University of Alabama.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The pickpocket's risk in Tuscaloosa is low. Be sure to take all necessary precautions.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
The natural disasters risk for Tuscaloosa is medium. It can experience flooding and tornadoes most frequently.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The mugging risk in Tuscaloosa is low but you should be sure to protect yourself at all times as there are parts of the city that could be potentially dangerous especially at night.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Terrorism risk in Tuscaloosa is low. However, there is the potential for shooting crimes as they are on the rise in the United States.
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Scam risk in Tuscaloosa is medium. Be sure to protect yourself from any potential scams by being on top of all of the latest scams.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
The risk for women travelers is low in Tuscaloosa. It is a democratic state in a free country. Women are free to travel as they please and they have all of the same rights as men do.
TAP WATER RISK: LOW
All municipal water is treated and makes it safe to drink so the risk is low.
Safest Places to Visit in Tuscaloosa
Visit Coleman Coliseum
Coleman Coliseum is home to the University of Alabama’s men’s and women’s basketball teams, gymnastics teams, and volleyball teams.
Other events throughout the year include concerts, graduation ceremonies, guest speakers, pro wrestling matches, and more.
Visit the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame (ASHOF) was established in 1967 with the primary purpose of preserving the history of sports in Alabama.
The Alabama Sports Hall of Fame was built on the celebration of athletic achievement, commitment to sportsmanship, and the spirit of competition.
Located inside ASHOF are exhibits showcasing athletes along with artifacts, memorabilia, photos, videos, graphic works, and interactive displays.
Visit the Paul W. Bryant Museum
The Paul W. Bryant Museum celebrates three of Alabama’s most celebrated icons: Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant, the University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team, and all things associated with UA athletics.
The museum also focuses on telling stories about the people that have made Alabama great.
Tuscaloosa Riverwalk
The Tuscaloosa Riverwalk is a continuous, casual, comfortable promenade that runs more than 20 miles along both banks of the Black Warrior River.
It is meant to be enjoyed at any time of the year and provides the user with opportunities to walk, jog, run, or bicycle on one of many multi-use trails.
Places to Avoid in Tuscaloosa
Avoid the north neighborhoods of Tuscaloosa if you can.
If you are in the north neighborhoods of Tuscaloosa, then be sure to take all the proper precautions.
Except for a few small parts of Tuscaloosa, the overall crime grade for the entire city is around a D-.
So, this means that crimes are frequent in Tuscaloosa.
Areas of Tuscaloosa to avoid include Woodward Acres, Brookwood Acres, Northwoods, Brookwood Village, Brookwood Terrace, Olympia Hills, and Hickory Ridge Estates.
There are also some small parts of town along Bryant Drive that are better avoided if possible.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Tuscaloosa
- Be responsible. Be sure to be logical when making your travel decisions. Avoid walking alone at night and don’t make yourself a target for theft. Lock the doors of your car.
- Drive carefully. Certain areas are safer to drive in than others. Always be sure to observe all posted rules for the road.
- Make copies of your travel itinerary. Have all of the information about your trip available. Copy all of your expected travel dates and times. For extra safety, forward a copy to yourself in your email so you have the information throughout your entire trip. You can also give this information to a friend or relative so they know where you are and it will help you be safe for your trip.
- Take your time. Be sure to give yourself enough time to enjoy your trip. Don’t overestimate your abilities and be generous with yourself. If you are sightseeing, be sure to give yourself an extra hour or two for breaks, photo opportunities, etc. Give yourself plenty of time to enjoy sightseeing, food, and travel. If you are arriving at an airport, give yourself at least two hours before the flight to get to the airport. By giving yourself enough time during your trip, you are eliminating the stressful factor of being in a hurry in an unfamiliar place.
- Talk to the locals. Talking to the locals will give you an authentic look at the culture of the area. You will learn a lot about the place simply by starting a conversation with locals. Also, you can know more from an insider point of view what is going on in the area.
- Be prepared for the weather. If you are spending time outdoors, check the weather report before you go. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather, including any necessary raincoats, boots, or jackets. The weather is very hot during the summer, so be sure to have a hat. It can be cooler in the winter, so having a light coverup is necessary.
- Make a schedule. Making a schedule helps you to stay organized. You will be on top of all of the important details for your trip. Also, it will give you a structure on which to base your trip off of.
- Be aware of scammers. Only book travel arrangements through trusted sources. Protect all of your personal identification information and credit card information when communicating. Safeguard all of your information.
- Be safe about what you post online. Don’t share your plans to travel with everyone on your friends’ list. Be smart and don’t let the whole world know that you are out of town. Also, don’t post where you are located. If you must share your location, it’s best to be safe about it, and only post about it after you leave.
- Put locks and tags on your luggage. Bring extra tags for your luggage so you can easily identify it and tag it. Also, put a lock on your suitcase so only you will have access to what is inside. A lockable suitcase gives you a lot more freedom and flexibility. You will also be a lot more secure with a locked suitcase as you know that only you will have access to your belongings inside.
- Purchase travel insurance. Travel insurance is a smart decision for every traveler! It helps provide medical care and costs in case of any kind of accident. When you are abroad in a different state or country, it’s a must-have to help to protect yourself in all circumstances. This type of medical coverage will be necessary and is something you must-do if you are going to be participating in any sports. It also helps to cover unforeseen travel costs. This includes potential evacuation to another country. Also, it will help to cover the flight costs if you need to change your flight or your flight gets canceled. It’s the safest decision you can make when you are traveling.
So... How Safe Is Tuscaloosa Really?
In a standard year, the rate of crime in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is 58.75 per 100 residents.
This puts it in the 12th percentile of all cities.
So, the majority of cities in the United States are safer than Tuscaloosa.
North neighborhoods in Tuscaloosa are considered to be more dangerous than other parts of it.
You may be up to 1 in 10 times likely to be a victim of a crime in some of these areas if you don’t take the right precautions.
The east side of Tuscaloosa is generally considered to be the safest.
Per 1000 residents, the assault rate was 5.307 per 1000.
Robbery rates were 1.191.
Overall, the total violent crime rate was 6.994.
Property crime rates were high, with a total property crime rate of 36.24.
The theft occurred at 24.82 per 1000 people.
Vehicle theft was .5131 per 1000.
Burglary was 10.84 per 1000.
Overall, violent crime rates were 36.26 out of 1000.
How Does Tuscaloosa Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | 76 |
| Honolulu | 65 |
| Chicago | 65 |
| Dallas | 64 |
| Memphis | 54 |
| Orlando | 64 |
| Las Vegas | 62 |
| Sydney (Australia) | 80 |
| Santiago de Chile (Chile) | 71 |
| Vienna (Austria) | 88 |
| Hong Kong (China) | 70 |
| Manama (Bahrain) | 54 |
| Tianjin (China) | 67 |
Useful Information
Visas
There are more than 20 types of visas issued in the United States. For visitors to Alabama, this includes business vias, agricultural work, B-2 tourism visa, F-1 student visa, and an M-2 nonacademic student visa, The cost to file and approve these various visas depends.
Currency
The currency used in Tuscaloosa is USD. You can exchange for USD from the comfort of your home or office using a reputable online currency broker or bank that offers Foreign Exchange services.
Weather
The weather in Tuscaloosa is typically a nice, warm temperature throughout the year. Many people visit Tuscaloosa, AL because of the great outdoors and mild weather conditions.
Airports
The Tuscaloosa Regional Airport is a public airport located 10 miles northeast of the central business district of Tuscaloosa, a city in Pickens County, Alabama, United States. This airport is publicly owned by the City of Tuscaloosa. There are no international airports in Tuscaloosa. The nearest international airport is 62 miles from Tuscaloosa. It is the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport (BHM / KBHM).
Travel Insurance
Getting travel insurance is especially important for tourists. These insurance plans cover more than your health, they cover luggage, booking cancelations such as hotels, plane tickets, and car rentals. In these uncertain times, we highly recommend getting a travel insurance policy before traveling.
Tuscaloosa Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 11 | 14 | 20 | 24 | 28 | 31 | 33 | 32 | 30 | 25 | 19 | 14 |
| Low °C | -1 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 17 | 11 | 5 | 2 |
| High °F | 52 | 57 | 68 | 75 | 82 | 88 | 91 | 90 | 86 | 77 | 66 | 57 |
| Low °F | 30 | 34 | 43 | 48 | 57 | 66 | 70 | 68 | 63 | 52 | 41 | 36 |
Alabama - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Auburn | 89 |
| Birmingham | 38 |
| Decatur | 75 |
| Dothan | 59 |
| Gulf Shores | 77 |
| Hoover | 62 |
| Huntsville | 66 |
| Mobile | 64 |
| Montgomery | 77 |
| Muscle Shoals | 88 |
| Phenix City | 83 |
| Tuscaloosa | 76 |
