Top 10 most dangerous cities in Tennessee

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Tennessee, known for its vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage, offers a unique living experience. From the bustling city life of Nashville to the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee provides a diverse array of attractions. The state's rich cultural heritage is evident in its music, festivals, and historic sites. However, despite its many positives, Tennessee faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Tennessee are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where extra caution is necessary. The contrast between Tennessee's cultural vibrancy and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this diverse state.

Efforts to improve safety in Tennessee involve a combination of enhanced law enforcement measures and community engagement programs aimed at preventing violence and crime. These initiatives are crucial in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and positive change. Tennessee's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and economic opportunities continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

Memphis Population: 650,910 2,612 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 7.16 chance of being a victim: 1 in 38 Total Crimes / 100k: 11,215

Memphis, TN holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Tennessee with 2,612 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (2,030), robbery (451), rape (73) and homicide (57) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 316% higher than the Tennessee average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Bolivar Population: 5,005 2,097 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 5.75 chance of being a victim: 1 in 48 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,194

The second most dangerous city is Bolivar. With a population of 5,005 and a violent crime rate that is 234% higher than the Tennessee average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Bolivar are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 2,097 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 48 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Ripley Population: 7,852 1,707 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.68 chance of being a victim: 1 in 59 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,045

Home to 7,852 residents, Ripley, TN ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Tennessee. Unfortunately for residents of Ripley, crime is widespread, with more than 1,707 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 4.68 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 172% higher than the Tennessee violent crime rate.

Covington Population: 8,863 1,296 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.55 chance of being a victim: 1 in 77 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,925

With a violent crime rate that is 106% higher than the Tennessee average, it's not hard to see why Covington made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (105), assault (1,132), rape (47) and homicide (12). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Covington more vulnerable to high crime.

Dyersburg Population: 16,371 1,247 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.42 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,305

The ongoing battle with crime in Dyersburg, TN, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 1,247 and a 1 in 80 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Dyersburg has a violent crime rate that is 99% higher than the Tennessee average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Dyersburg.

Nashville Population: 667,070 1,129 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.09 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,534

Nashville, TN comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 1,129 per 100,000 people, which is 80% higher than the Tennessee average. Nashville has a population of 667,070, which translates to 3.09 crimes per day and 1 in 89 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Nashville which are much safer than others.

Jackson Population: 67,036 1,095 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.00 chance of being a victim: 1 in 91 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,466

A 1 in 91 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 3.00 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Jackson makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 1,095 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 74% higher than the Tennessee average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (904), robbery (136), rape (42) and homicide (13).

Chattanooga Population: 181,370 1,091 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.99 chance of being a victim: 1 in 92 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,949

Chattanooga, TN is another one of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 181,370 and a violent crime rate of 1,091 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 881 counts of assault, 107 counts of robbery, 87 counts of rape and 16 counts of homicide. All told, the Chattanooga violent crime rate is 74% higher than the Tennessee average.

Halls Population: 9,135 1,029 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.82 chance of being a victim: 1 in 97 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,088

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Halls, TN comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Tennessee with a violent crime rate of 1,029 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.82 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 97 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Brownsville Population: 9,497 1,017 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.79 chance of being a victim: 1 in 98 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,911

Rounding out our list at #10 is Brownsville, TN. With a population of 9,497 and a violent crime rate of 1,017 per 100,000 people (62% higher than the Tennessee average), some parts of Brownsville are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 922 counts of assault, 11 counts of robbery, 53 counts of rape and 32 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 98 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Memphis	650,910	2,612	11,215
2	Bolivar	5,005	2,097	4,194
3	Ripley	7,852	1,707	4,045
4	Covington	8,863	1,296	4,925
5	Dyersburg	16,371	1,247	6,305
6	Nashville	667,070	1,129	5,534
7	Jackson	67,036	1,095	4,466
8	Chattanooga	181,370	1,091	5,949
9	Halls	9,135	1,029	3,088
10	Brownsville	9,497	1,017	3,911
11	Pigeon Forge	6,247	980	5,046
12	Millington	10,650	944	5,887
13	Savannah	6,934	865	4,570
14	Lexington	7,838	843	3,371
15	Knoxville	187,487	817	3,945
16	Fayetteville	7,046	780	2,878
17	McMinnville	13,707	740	3,244
18	Newport	6,865	708	6,011
19	Dickson	15,500	691	3,730
20	Morristown	29,887	664	3,703
21	Kingsport	53,699	651	4,234
22	Rockwood	5,446	591	3,850
23	Pulaski	7,614	583	3,304
24	Manchester	10,896	581	3,384
25	Union City	10,426	578	3,844
26	East Ridge	21,187	564	2,815
27	Columbia	39,515	559	2,830
28	Lewisburg	12,150	553	2,436
29	Shelbyville	21,841	531	2,637
30	Milan	7,642	530	2,734
31	Sweetwater	5,894	522	2,166
32	Crossville	11,704	521	3,002
33	Sevierville	17,185	514	4,250
34	Humboldt	8,145	511	1,687
35	Alcoa	9,809	484	1,920
36	Murfreesboro	141,704	483	2,824
37	Springfield	17,147	468	1,708
38	Clarksville	156,092	467	2,193
39	Clinton	10,006	455	2,477
40	Lawrenceburg	10,925	453	2,181
41	Cleveland	45,115	452	3,214
42	La Vergne	35,556	437	2,393
43	Tullahoma	19,982	437	2,494
44	Winchester	8,818	436	3,260
45	Red Bank	11,785	434	1,720
46	Bristol	26,973	422	3,232
47	McKenzie	5,517	416	1,899
48	Lebanon	34,759	404	1,952
49	Athens	13,931	400	4,218
50	Johnson City	66,934	397	3,202

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Tennessee cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.