Is Gurley safe?
Huntsville, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Gurley as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Gurley
“Go. Gurley is a peaceful, rural-suburban town east of Huntsville that boasts minimal violent crime and a friendly, tight-knit community. While you will need a car to access services and amenities, it is an exceptionally safe and relaxing base for exploring eastern Madison County.”
About the area
Gurley is a small historic municipality set in the rolling foothills of the Cumberland Plateau along US Highway 72. It primarily functions as a scenic, quiet residential community for commuters working in Huntsville and Research Park.
- Rural / Small-Town
- Quiet Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Scenic Foothills
Walking and biking in Gurley
Walk score: 14/100 · Bike score: 22/100
There are no protected bike paths or connections to Huntsville's greenway network, and cycling along narrow, shoulder-less rural roads requires high caution.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are exceptionally low compared to state and national benchmarks
- High rate of homeownership contributing to a stable, tranquil neighborhood atmosphere
- Scenic rural landscape with easy access to outdoor recreation and nature preserves
Cons
- Almost completely car-dependent with virtually no pedestrian infrastructure
- Limited local commercial dining and entertainment options
- Minimal street lighting along rural roads creates poor nighttime visibility
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is practically non-existent in Gurley, with no encampments or street panhandling observed in the area.
What Gurley is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and breezy as commuters head west toward Huntsville along Highway 72.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very relaxed and safe with light traffic near local schools and neighborhood markets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet settles across the town with very low street activity and safe conditions.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black on rural lanes and virtually silent, with safety concerns limited to wildlife on roads.
Transit, parking and getting around
Gurley is not served by public transit; Orbit (Huntsville Transit) does not reach this far east into Madison County, making personal vehicles essential.
Parking is completely free and easy to find across all local businesses, public buildings, and residential driveways.
Things to do in Gurley
- Tour the Gurley Historic District to view well-preserved late 19th-century architecture
- Explore outdoor hiking trails and scenic countryside around the Paint Rock River basin
- Shop for fresh local produce and country staples at area farm stands and local markets
Local favorites
- Cindy's Cafe · Southern Diner · 4.6★ (380)A beloved local staple serving hearty country breakfasts, meat-and-three lunches, and friendly small-town hospitality.
- El Coyote Mexican Restaurant · Mexican Restaurant · 4.3★ (240)A popular neighborhood spot offering traditional Mexican fare, fajitas, and margaritas right off Highway 72.
- Little Mountain Farm Supply · Farm & Garden Store · 4.8★ (150)A classic country supply outpost offering livestock feed, gardening tools, hardware, and outdoor apparel.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.