Is Smithson safe?
Bessemer, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Be careful — go in daylight and stay on the busier streets.
VibeLoco rates Smithson as “Caution”.
Gogo's take on Smithson
“Go with care. Smithson is a quiet residential area in Bessemer, but elevated rates of both violent and property crime throughout the municipality mean visitors should remain alert. Sticking to daytime visits and keeping vehicles secured is recommended.”
Bessemer law enforcement continues citywide initiatives targeting gun violence and auto break-ins across residential sectors.
About the area
Smithson is a modest, primarily residential neighborhood situated in the historic industrial city of Bessemer, southwest of Birmingham. It features single-family homes, leafy lots, and easy access to major thoroughfares like US-11 and I-20/I-59. While largely quiet day-to-day, it experiences broader municipal challenges including below-average median incomes and higher-than-average crime rates.
- Quiet
- Residential
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Smithson
Walk score: 28/100 · Bike score: 30/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, greenway connections, or bike-share programs in the immediate neighborhood, requiring cyclists to share the road with motor vehicles.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Lower traffic density with quiet neighborhood streets
- Close highway connectivity to downtown Bessemer and Birmingham
- Affordable residential footprint with spacious lots
Cons
- Property crime and vehicle theft rates significantly exceed national averages
- Pockets of blighted or vacant residential properties
- Limited commercial amenities within immediate walking distance
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is minimal within the residential streets of Smithson, though occasional unhoused individuals may be seen near major commercial intersections and transit stops in central Bessemer.
What Smithson is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and calm as residents commute, with minimal pedestrian traffic and good visibility.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Relatively quiet residential atmosphere, generally safe for driving through or short local errands.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Activity winds down quickly; street illumination is sparse in places so extra caution is advised.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet but higher risk for opportunistic property crime and theft; walking around late is discouraged.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit in the area is limited; the Birmingham-Jefferson County Transit Authority (MAX Transit) operates select bus routes connecting Bessemer to central Birmingham, though stops in Smithson are sparse.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the neighborhood, primarily via private driveways and unrestricted curbside street parking.
Things to do in Smithson
- Tour the historic Bessemer Hall of History museum located nearby in the historic depot
- Explore regional outdoor recreation at nearby DeBardeleben Park
- Sample legendary Alabama barbecue along the nearby 9th Avenue corridor
Local favorites
- Bob Sykes Bar-B-Q · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.5★ (3200)Longstanding local institution serving pit-cooked barbecue and classic Southern sides since 1957.
- The Bright Star · Southern / Seafood Restaurant · 4.5★ (2900)Alabama's oldest continuously operating restaurant offering Greek-influenced seafood and steaks.
- Snapper's Seafood · Seafood Restaurant · 4.3★ (480)Casual neighborhood spot known for generous fried fish plates, shrimp baskets, and wings.
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.