When considering where to live in and around Birmingham, safety is often a top priority for families, professionals, and students alike. Using the latest crime statistics and deprivation data, we’ve compiled this comprehensive guide to help you navigate the safest areas both within Birmingham and in its surrounding regions.
The deprivation level is a measure that reflects the socio-economic conditions of an area, encompassing factors such as income, employment, education, health, housing, and access to services. Lower deprivation levels indicate more favourable conditions, often correlating with better quality of life, community resources, and safety.
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Birmingham is a diverse city with varying crime rates across its many neighborhoods. Here are the safety profiles of areas within Birmingham city limits, ranked from lowest to highest crime rates:
Sutton Four Oaks tops our list as the safest area within Birmingham’s boundaries. With a crime rate of just 45.90 per 1,000 residents and a low deprivation score, this affluent suburb offers a secure environment with excellent amenities.
Coming in a close second is Sutton Roughley, with a crime rate of 46.38 per 1,000 people. The area boasts one of the lowest deprivation levels in Birmingham at 2.67, making it an attractive option for those seeking safety and comfort.
Hall Green South rounds out the top three safest areas with a crime rate of 46.90 per 1,000 population. Though its deprivation level of 5.53 is higher than the previous two areas, it remains a popular choice for families and professionals.
This northeastern area of Birmingham offers a good balance of safety and accessibility, with a crime rate of 55.29 per 1,000 residents and a moderate deprivation score of 3.85.
Sutton Mere Green continues the trend of Sutton areas providing safer environments within Birmingham. Its crime rate stands at 60.59 per 1,000 population with a deprivation level of 3.24.
While higher than other Sutton areas, Sutton Wylde Green’s crime rate of 77.07 per 1,000 population is still below the Birmingham average. Its deprivation score of 3.00 indicates a relatively comfortable standard of living.
Quinton’s crime rate of 87.19 per 1,000 residents places it in the middle range for Birmingham. Its higher deprivation score of 6.90 reflects some of the socioeconomic challenges in the area.
Completing the Sutton collection, Sutton Vesey has a crime rate of 90.33 per 1,000 people and a moderate deprivation score of 4.17.
Known for its chocolate heritage, Bournville & Cotteridge registers a crime rate of 96.50 per 1,000 population with a deprivation level of 6.84.
Sutton Reddicap has a crime rate of 104.03 per 1,000 residents and a deprivation score of 5.85.
Popular with students, Bournbrook & Selly Park has a crime rate of 105.55 per 1,000 population and a deprivation level of 6.46.
Despite being considered upmarket, Harborne has a relatively high crime rate of 122.31 per 1,000 people, with a deprivation score of 6.54.
Home to the famous cricket ground, Edgbaston shows a higher crime rate of 171.19 per 1,000 residents with a deprivation level of 5.50.
Sutton Trinity has the highest crime rate among Birmingham areas in our data at 174.38 per 1,000 population, though its deprivation score of 4.42 is moderate.
The areas surrounding Birmingham often offer lower crime rates compared to the city itself. Here’s how the surrounding areas rank:
Streetly tops the list as the safest area in our study, with a remarkably low crime rate of 30.38 per 1,000 residents and a very low deprivation score of 1.69.
Crabbs Cross follows closely with a crime rate of 31.87 per 1,000 population and a moderate deprivation level of 3.60.
Trinity offers excellent safety statistics with a crime rate of just 32.15 per 1,000 residents and a low deprivation score of 2.97.
Paddock continues the trend of safe outer areas with a crime rate of 36.91 per 1,000 population and a very comfortable deprivation level of 2.23.
This rural area boasts a low crime rate of 38.83 per 1,000 residents and a low deprivation score of 2.68.
The West area maintains the pattern of safety with a crime rate of 40.27 per 1,000 population and a deprivation level of 2.38.
Knowle combines safety with affluence, showing a crime rate of 41.30 per 1,000 residents and one of the lowest deprivation scores in our study at 1.63.
Pheasey Park Farm has a moderate crime rate of 48.77 per 1,000 population with a deprivation level of 3.87.
Olton registers a crime rate of 51.19 per 1,000 residents and a deprivation score of 3.18.
Despite a slightly higher crime rate of 52.11 per 1,000 population, Dorridge and Hockley Heath boasts the lowest deprivation score in our study at just 1.52.
Elmdon has a crime rate of 53.39 per 1,000 residents with a higher deprivation level of 4.39 compared to other outer areas.
Rounding out our list, Blythe shows a crime rate of 55.66 per 1,000 population with a very low deprivation score of 1.53.
Our analysis reveals that areas outside Birmingham generally enjoy lower crime rates (averaging 42.74 per 1,000 population) compared to areas within the city (averaging 91.69 per 1,000 population). Similarly, deprivation levels are notably lower in outer areas (2.64 on average) than in Birmingham proper (4.84 on average).
Within Birmingham, the Sutton areas consistently rank as the safest options, particularly Sutton Four Oaks, Sutton Roughley, and Hall Green South. For those willing to live outside the city limits, Streetly, Crabbs Cross, and Trinity offer exceptional safety statistics and quality of life.
This guide should help you make an informed decision about where to call home in and around Birmingham, balancing safety considerations with your lifestyle needs and preferences.
