F
112%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
198%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
96%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleNashville/100k peopleTennessee/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime33,482n/a (estimate)4,9272,9242,324
Murder83n/a12.28.66.3
Rape385n/a56.738.240.0
Robbery1,224n/a180.167.166.1
Assault5,799n/a853.3507.6268.2
Violent crime7,491n/a (estimate)1,102622370
Burglary3,470n/a510.6319.1269.8
Theft19,534n/a2,874.51,620.91,401.9
Vehicle theft2,987n/a439.5362.3282.7
Property crime25,991n/a (estimate)3,8252,3021,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Nashville, TN

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Nashville is 112% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Nashville, there were 7491 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1102 per 100,000 individuals, 198.1% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 25991 property crimes, amounting to 3825 per 100,000 residents, 95.7% higher than the U.S. average.

Having a crime rate of 4927 per 100,000 residents, Nashville experiences a crime rate that is 111.99% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Nashville contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Nashville is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 1102 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Nashville is 1 in 91.

Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Nashville is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 83 murders in Nashville, which equates to 12 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Nashville being a very dangerous place to live.

Nashville has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3825 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Nashville is 1 in 27, which is far higher than the national average.

Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Nashville has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Nashville reported 2987 vehicle thefts, which equates to 440 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Nashville is 1 in 228.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Nashville?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Nashville residents. Out of the respondents (302 in total), 25% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Nashville were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 75% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Nashville a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Nashville is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Nashville has a total crime rate that is 112% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 91.73 daily crimes (20.52 violent daily crimes and 71.21 daily property crimes) in Nashville.

Has Crime in Nashville Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Nashville. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Nashville has increased by 1.5%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 7%, while property crime has increased by 4.2%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Nashville.

Nashville Neighborhood Crime Rates

Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Nashville, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 88 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Nashville are areas such as Poplar Creek Estates, Edmondson-Cloverland and Barclay Drive, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like West Meade, Salemtown and Greenwood are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.

Potential Causes for Crime in Nashville

In Nashville, the poverty rate currently stands at 14.4%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Nashville crime rates.

In Nashville, 83.5% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Nashville are $1,170, compared to a national average of $949 per month.

Nashville crime map



The Nashville crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Nashville as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Nashville crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Nashville crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Nashville crime rates are 112% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Nashville are 198% higher than the national average
      • In Nashville you have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Nashville is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Nashville has increased by 3%

      Nashville, TN Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Nashville

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        Daily Crime In Nashville (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Nashville on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Tennessee and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Nashville (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Tennessee, are 1.69 times more than the state average and 2.12 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Nashville on a daily basis are 1.77 times more than than Tennessee average and 2.98 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Nashville are 1.66 times more than the daily state average and 1.96 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Nashville (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Nashville to every other city in Tennessee, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Nashville safe? The gauges above illustrate that Nashville is safer than 2% of every city located within Tennessee along with 2% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Tennessee and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Nashville, TN is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Nashville

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Nashville is 1 in 91
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Nashville is 1 in 27
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Nashville is 1 in 21
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Nashville? In Nashville, TN you have a 1 in 91 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Nashville.

        Year Over Year Crime In Nashville (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Nashville is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Nashville has decreased by 6%, while the property crime rate in Nashville has increased by 6% year over year. The number of total crimes in Nashville has increased by 3% year over year.

        Nashville police department

        Item Nashville Tennessee National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)1,63711,551558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.63.63.3
        There are a total of 1,637 Nashville police officers. This results in 2.6 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.3% less than the Tennessee average and 18.9% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Tennessee

        State Total offenders Tennessee /100K National /100K
        Tennessee24,578412266
        There are a total of 24,578 sex offenders in Tennessee. This yields a total of 412 sex offenders in Tennessee per 100,000 residents which is 55% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Nolensville, TN9,22188330418
        Shackle Island, TN4,010118438557
        Oak Hill, TN4,536162598759
        Forest Hills, TN4,868162598759
        Brentwood, TN42,70068842910
        Belle Meade, TN2,1910926926
        Hendersonville, TN57,888136836972
        Nashville, TN667,0701,1023,8254,927

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Detroit, MI672,3512,0284,4786,506
        El Paso, TX679,8793131,3791,692
        Memphis, TN650,9102,4217,1669,587
        Portland, OR650,3807516,3247,076
        Oklahoma City, OK649,8216423,0593,701
        Nashville, TN667,0701,1023,8254,927
        Source: The Nashville, TN crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.