Safest cities in Tennessee

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Known as the 'Volunteer State,' Tennessee is rich in music history, vibrant cities, and scenic landscapes. Located in the southeastern United States, Tennessee offers a diverse geography that includes the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the fertile plains of the Mississippi River. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. Nashville, the state capital, is famously known as the 'Music City,' renowned for its country music heritage and vibrant arts scene. Memphis, another major city, is known for its blues music, historic sites, and cultural attractions.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Tennessee particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Tennessee's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Tennessee's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Nolensville Population: 9,221 249 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 22 Property Crime / 100k: 228 chance of being a victim: 1 in 401

Nolensville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Tennessee. With only 249 crimes per 100,000 people, Nolensville has a crime rate that is 82% lower than the Tennessee average. This equates to an average of 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 401 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Signal Mountain Population: 8,574 348 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 348 chance of being a victim: 1 in 287

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Signal Mountain comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Tennessee with a crime rate of 348 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 34 counts of burglary, 315 counts of theft, 0 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Signal Mountain, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Kingston Population: 5,946 581 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 81 Property Crime / 100k: 500 chance of being a victim: 1 in 172

With a population of 5,946 and a total crime rate of 581 per 100,000 residents, Kingston is the 3rd safest city in Tennessee. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% lower than the Tennessee average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Oakland Population: 8,135 606 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 142 Property Crime / 100k: 464 chance of being a victim: 1 in 165

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Oakland is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 606, 89% lower than the Tennessee average. This amounts to 0.18 crimes per day and a 1 in 165 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Oakland a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Mount Carmel Population: 5,297 628 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 90 Property Crime / 100k: 538 chance of being a victim: 1 in 159

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Mount Carmel consistently ranks high in safety. In Mount Carmel, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 628, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Church Hill Population: 6,664 669 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 139 Property Crime / 100k: 529 chance of being a victim: 1 in 150

Church Hill has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Tennessee. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 669 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Tennessee average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 111 reports of burglary, 293 reports of theft, 125 reports of vehicle theft, 98 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 42 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Atoka Population: 9,407 684 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 112 Property Crime / 100k: 572 chance of being a victim: 1 in 146

Atoka ranks as the seventh safest city in Tennessee and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 146 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.20 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Atoka’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Tennessee.

Fairview Population: 8,989 741 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 138 Property Crime / 100k: 603 chance of being a victim: 1 in 135

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Fairview is the 8th safest city in Tennessee. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 90% lower than the Tennessee average, reporting a total of 741 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Mount Juliet Population: 35,834 749 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 91 Property Crime / 100k: 658 chance of being a victim: 1 in 134

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Mount Juliet is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Tennessee, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 749 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 56% lower than the state average.

Millersville Population: 6,403 756 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 257 Property Crime / 100k: 499 chance of being a victim: 1 in 132

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Tennessee, is Millersville. With a low rate of crime that included 80 burglaries, 370 thefts, 48 vehicle thefts, 209 assaults, 0 robberies, 48 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Tennessee

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Nolensville	9,221	22	228	249
2	Signal Mountain	8,574	0	348	348
3	Kingston	5,946	81	500	581
4	Oakland	8,135	142	464	606
5	Mount Carmel	5,297	90	538	628
6	Church Hill	6,664	139	529	669
7	Atoka	9,407	112	572	684
8	Fairview	8,989	138	603	741
9	Mount Juliet	35,834	91	658	749
10	Millersville	6,403	257	499	756
11	Loudon	5,829	93	680	773
12	Greenbrier	6,859	344	444	788
13	Portland	12,928	250	595	844
14	Spring Hill	41,797	137	722	859
15	Hendersonville	57,888	111	897	1,008
16	Brentwood	42,700	78	933	1,011
17	Jonesborough	5,539	111	967	1,078
18	Maryville	29,325	184	907	1,091
19	Franklin	80,675	149	1,022	1,172
20	Gallatin	40,262	180	996	1,176
21	Henderson	6,323	278	927	1,205
22	La Follette	6,762	141	1,142	1,283
23	Munford	6,090	326	1,006	1,332
24	Collegedale	11,402	177	1,183	1,360
25	Germantown	39,196	108	1,354	1,462
26	Collierville	50,596	118	1,345	1,463
27	White House	12,258	183	1,425	1,608
28	Humboldt	8,145	511	1,176	1,687
29	Springfield	17,147	468	1,240	1,708
30	Red Bank	11,785	434	1,286	1,720
31	Dayton	7,357	160	1,575	1,735
32	Goodlettsville	16,829	243	1,510	1,752
33	Dunlap	5,159	153	1,627	1,779
34	Jefferson City	8,220	248	1,558	1,806
35	Oak Ridge	29,124	337	1,524	1,861
36	Paris	10,021	328	1,563	1,891
37	McKenzie	5,517	416	1,483	1,899
38	Alcoa	9,809	484	1,436	1,920
39	Elizabethton	13,568	248	1,680	1,928
40	Lebanon	34,759	404	1,548	1,952
41	Bartlett	59,252	245	1,825	2,070
42	Sweetwater	5,894	522	1,643	2,166
43	Lawrenceburg	10,925	453	1,728	2,181
44	Clarksville	156,092	467	1,726	2,193
45	Lenoir City	9,191	268	1,946	2,214
46	Cookeville	33,922	233	2,067	2,299
47	Martin	10,585	302	2,022	2,324
48	La Vergne	35,556	437	1,956	2,393
49	Harriman	6,144	341	2,092	2,433
50	Lewisburg	12,150	553	1,883	2,436

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest 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 (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Tennessee cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.