Safest cities in Tennessee

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.

Signal Mountain Population: 8,574 317 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 11 Property Crime / 100k: 306 chance of being a victim: 1 in 315

Signal Mountain proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Tennessee. With only 317 crimes per 100,000 people, Signal Mountain has a crime rate that is 91% lower than the Tennessee average. This equates to an average of 0.08 crimes per day and a 1 in 315 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.

Oakland Population: 8,135 330 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 100 Property Crime / 100k: 230 chance of being a victim: 1 in 303

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Oakland comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Tennessee with a crime rate of 330 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 30 counts of burglary, 170 counts of theft, 30 counts of vehicle theft, 80 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 20 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Oakland, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Nolensville Population: 9,221 418 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 88 Property Crime / 100k: 330 chance of being a victim: 1 in 239

With a population of 9,221 and a total crime rate of 418 per 100,000 residents, Nolensville is the 3rd safest city in Tennessee. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 83% 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.

Loudon Population: 5,829 509 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 15 Property Crime / 100k: 494 chance of being a victim: 1 in 196

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Loudon 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 509, 94% lower than the Tennessee average. This amounts to 0.09 crimes per day and a 1 in 196 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 Loudon a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Erwin Population: 5,910 607 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 51 Property Crime / 100k: 556 chance of being a victim: 1 in 165

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Erwin consistently ranks high in safety. In Erwin, 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 607, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Church Hill Population: 6,664 647 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 296 Property Crime / 100k: 352 chance of being a victim: 1 in 154

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 647 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Tennessee average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 56 reports of burglary, 267 reports of theft, 28 reports of vehicle theft, 281 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 14 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Atoka Population: 9,407 686 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 203 Property Crime / 100k: 483 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 0.19 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: 8,989 691 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 183 Property Crime / 100k: 508 chance of being a victim: 1 in 145

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 691 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.

Millersville Population: 6,403 817 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 289 Property Crime / 100k: 529 chance of being a victim: 1 in 122

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Millersville 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 817 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Kingston Population: 5,946 824 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 49 Property Crime / 100k: 775 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Tennessee, is Kingston. With a low rate of crime that included 82 burglaries, 610 thefts, 82 vehicle thefts, 49 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 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	Signal Mountain	8,574	11	306	317
2	Oakland	8,135	100	230	330
3	Nolensville	9,221	88	330	418
4	Loudon	5,829	15	494	509
5	Erwin	5,910	51	556	607
6	Church Hill	6,664	296	352	647
7	Atoka	9,407	203	483	686
8	Fairview	8,989	183	508	691
9	Millersville	6,403	289	529	817
10	Kingston	5,946	49	775	824
11	Brentwood	42,700	68	842	910
12	Spring Hill	41,797	105	818	923
13	Gallatin	40,262	254	672	926
14	Hendersonville	57,888	136	836	972
15	Portland	12,928	260	765	1,025
16	Greenbrier	6,859	546	517	1,063
17	Maryville	29,325	183	889	1,073
18	Red Bank	11,785	405	809	1,214
19	Franklin	80,675	195	1,032	1,228
20	Mount Carmel	5,297	199	1,050	1,250
21	Munford	6,090	155	1,129	1,284
22	Collierville	50,596	148	1,188	1,336
23	Henderson	6,323	455	1,051	1,507
24	Jonesborough	5,539	82	1,480	1,562
25	White House	12,258	161	1,435	1,596
26	Collegedale	11,402	100	1,529	1,629
27	Springfield	17,147	502	1,195	1,697
28	Germantown	39,196	169	1,530	1,699
29	Soddy-Daisy	13,510	206	1,518	1,724
30	Harriman	6,144	100	1,654	1,755
31	La Vergne	35,556	380	1,413	1,793
32	La Follette	6,762	330	1,513	1,843
33	Oak Ridge	29,124	316	1,774	2,090
34	Lebanon	34,759	452	1,644	2,096
35	Jefferson City	8,220	276	1,839	2,116
36	Goodlettsville	16,829	253	1,869	2,122
37	Dunlap	5,159	354	1,772	2,126
38	Smyrna	50,820	266	1,896	2,162
39	Bartlett	59,252	241	1,952	2,192
40	McKenzie	5,517	385	1,816	2,201
41	Elizabethton	13,568	303	1,940	2,243
42	Dayton	7,357	237	2,134	2,371
43	Clarksville	156,092	498	1,999	2,497
44	Alcoa	9,809	402	2,105	2,507
45	Lewisburg	12,150	529	2,014	2,544
46	Shelbyville	21,841	563	2,003	2,566
47	Cookeville	33,922	246	2,332	2,578
48	Lexington	7,838	302	2,316	2,618
49	Murfreesboro	141,704	511	2,111	2,622
50	Lawrenceburg	10,925	404	2,291	2,695

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.