Is Somerville safe?
Hartselle, Alabama · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Somerville as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Somerville
“Go. Somerville is a quiet, historic rural town with low crime rates and a tight-knit community atmosphere. While visitor amenities are sparse and heavily car-reliant, safety risks are negligible for anyone passing through or exploring the area.”
About the area
Somerville is a historic, rural community in Morgan County, situated east of Hartselle and south of Decatur. Known for housing the oldest standing courthouse in Alabama, it offers a tranquil countryside setting characterized by open farmland and scattered homesteads.
- Quiet & Rural
- Historic / Small-Town
- Car-Dependent
- Peaceful
Walking and biking in Somerville
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There are no dedicated bike lanes, trails, or bike-share programs in Somerville, meaning cycling is restricted to rural two-lane roads with minimal shoulders.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent crime rate compared to state and national averages
- High homeownership rate exceeding 80% fostering a stable, tight-knit community
- Peaceful rural atmosphere with minimal traffic and congestion
Cons
- Extremely car-dependent with zero public transportation infrastructure
- Limited emergency medical and rapid police dispatch response times due to rural layout
- Sparse commercial offerings requiring travel to Hartselle or Decatur for standard amenities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Somerville. Shelters and support services are concentrated in Decatur and Huntsville.
What Somerville is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and quiet, with minimal commuter traffic along Highway 36 and exceptionally safe conditions.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons remain peaceful with occasional local business traffic and safe, easy navigation by car.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are dark and slow-paced, with virtually no foot traffic and an overall secure environment.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are pitch black and silent on rural roads; safety risks are negligible aside from low lighting and wildlife hazards.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no fixed-route public transit serving Somerville; the area relies exclusively on private vehicles, with limited dial-a-ride services available across rural Morgan County.
Parking is free, abundant, and effortless throughout the area, with open surface lots at all municipal buildings and local businesses.
Things to do in Somerville
- Tour the Historic Somerville Courthouse, the oldest remaining courthouse building in Alabama
- Explore the scenic rural countryside and farms along Alabama State Route 36
- Visit nearby Point Mallard Park in adjacent Decatur for outdoor recreation
Local favorites
- Old Somerville Courthouse · Historical Landmark · 4.7★ (40)Historic 1837 Federal-style brick courthouse showcasing regional Morgan County history.
- Jack's · Fast Food Restaurant · 4.1★ (520)Popular regional staple offering Southern-style breakfast biscuits, fried chicken, and burgers.
- D&D Country Store & Grill · Convenience Store & Deli · 4.6★ (85)Friendly local outpost serving hot breakfast plates, made-to-order sandwiches, and daily staples.
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.