Is Powderly Hills safe?
Birmingham, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Powderly Hills as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Powderly Hills
“Go with care. Powderly Hills is primarily a quiet, residential enclave in southwest Birmingham, but it experiences higher violent and property crime rates than the national average. Visitors should have a specific purpose for visiting, keep to daytime hours, and remain aware of their surroundings.”
Southwest Birmingham neighborhoods have been the focus of increased Birmingham Police Department patrols and city revitalization initiatives aimed at curbing gun violence and reducing blighted residential properties.
About the area
Powderly Hills is a predominantly residential, working-class neighborhood located in the southwest quadrant of Birmingham. It features modest mid-century single-family homes, rolling topography, and close proximity to the historic mining corridors of Red Mountain. It has minimal commercial development within its immediate boundaries, functioning largely as a commuter community.
- Residential
- Suburban-Style Grid
- Car-Dependent
- Historic Industrial Heritage
Walking and biking in Powderly Hills
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 22/100
Dedicated bike infrastructure is virtually non-existent in Powderly Hills, and there are no direct greenway connections or shared-micromobility stations in the immediate neighborhood.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Primarily quiet residential streets with minimal commercial congestion
- High rates of long-term homeownership compared to adjacent inner-city neighborhoods
- Convenient access to downtown Birmingham via US-11 and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
- Close proximity to historic Red Mountain industrial sites and parks
Cons
- Violent and property crime rates remain significantly above national averages
- Elevated poverty rate exceeding 25% with limited immediate economic amenities
- Pockets of blighted, vacant residential parcels and aging infrastructure
- High car dependency with limited walkable retail or grocery options
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is relatively low on the interior residential streets of Powderly Hills, though occasional panhandling or unhoused individuals may be encountered near major commercial intersections along Bessemer Highway.
What Powderly Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Relatively calm as residents commute, making it safe for necessary daytime business or driving through.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Generally quiet residential atmosphere, though situational awareness is advised on side streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity drops quickly after dusk; pedestrian travel is not recommended for unfamiliar visitors.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Safety risks rise significantly due to low visibility, reduced foot traffic, and potential crime activity.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is operated by the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX Transit), with local bus routes running along major thoroughfares like Jefferson Avenue and Bessemer Highway; there is no rail or BRT service.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the neighborhood, consisting almost entirely of residential driveways and unmetered street parking with no commercial parking garages.
Things to do in Powderly Hills
- Drive through historic SW Birmingham neighborhoods to view 20th-century residential architecture
- Visit nearby Red Mountain Park for hiking trails and historic iron ore mining sites
- Explore local community parks and green spaces in the surrounding southwest district
Local favorites
- Eagle's Restaurant · Soul Food Restaurant · 4.5★ (1120)Historic nearby spot famous for classic meat-and-three soul food, oxtails, and Southern sides.
- Wings Plus · Chicken Wings Restaurant · 4.1★ (320)Popular local counter-serve joint offering seasoned wings, fried fish, and quick bites.
- Green Acres Cafe · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.3★ (890)Longtime Birmingham staple nearby known for fried chicken wings, seasoned fries, and fried catfish.
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.