Is Roosevelt safe?
Bessemer, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Roosevelt as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Roosevelt
“Go with care. Roosevelt is primarily a quiet, historic residential neighborhood with little in the way of tourist attractions. While daytime visits are generally unremarkable, elevated rates of regional property and violent crime in the greater Bessemer area mean visitors should exercise situational awareness, especially after dark.”
Local law enforcement in Bessemer and southwestern Jefferson County has focused increased patrols on property theft and localized gun violence prevention.
About the area
Roosevelt is a modest, established residential community situated between southwestern Birmingham and Bessemer. Characterized by mid-century single-family homes, churches, and local parks, it offers a glimpse into the region's industrial and civil rights history but lacks dense commercial development.
- Quiet
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
- Historic
Walking and biking in Roosevelt
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 30/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes or municipal bike-share stations; cycling is strictly shared with vehicular traffic on neighborhood roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Predominantly quiet, low-traffic residential streets with long-term homeowners
- Close highway connectivity via US-11 and the I-20/I-59 corridor
- Close proximity to historic landmark dining establishments in neighboring central Bessemer
Cons
- Elevated violent and property crime rates compared to national averages
- Higher poverty rates and noticeable pockets of deferred housing maintenance or vacant lots
- Very limited retail, dining, and walkable amenities inside neighborhood borders
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not widespread within the interior residential streets, though individuals experiencing homelessness are occasionally seen along nearby commercial corridors and transit stops.
What Roosevelt is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and low-key as residents head out for morning commutes.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Relatively calm with minimal street activity and clear visibility.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential atmosphere; caution is advised around unlit intersections and commercial fringes.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Streets are largely deserted; walking alone is not recommended due to safety concerns and minimal lighting.
Transit, parking and getting around
The Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (BJCTA / MAX) provides regional bus service along nearby major corridors, though routes are infrequent and car travel is heavily preferred.
Street parking is free and widely available on residential streets, and nearby shopping plazas have extensive free surface lots.
Things to do in Roosevelt
- Spend time outdoors at Roosevelt Park with its neighborhood walking areas and sports courts
- Explore the mid-20th-century residential architecture reflecting the area's working-class history
- Take a short drive to the nearby Bessemer Hall of History Museum located in the historic Southern Railway depot
Local favorites
- Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (2450)Long-running local institution serving pit-cooked pork, ribs, and classic Southern sides over an open hickory fire pit.
- The Bright Star · Southern / Greek Seafood · 4.6★ (2980)Alabama's oldest continuously operating restaurant offering Greek-style steaks, seafood, and homemade pies in a historic setting.
- Snappy Subs · Sandwich Shop · 4.3★ (310)Straightforward, popular neighborhood spot for hot subs, cheesesteaks, and quick comfort food.
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.