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.

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Nolensville Population: 9,422 257 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 50 Property Crime / 100k: 207 chance of being a victim: 1 in 389
Nolensville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Tennessee. With only 257 crimes per 100,000 people, Nolensville has a crime rate that is 84% lower than the Tennessee average. This equates to an average of 0.11 crimes per day and a 1 in 389 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.
Church Hill Population: 6,857 301 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 274 chance of being a victim: 1 in 332
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Church Hill comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Tennessee with a crime rate of 301 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 55 counts of burglary, 205 counts of theft, 14 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 27 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Church Hill, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Kingston Population: 6,077 428 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 127 Property Crime / 100k: 301 chance of being a victim: 1 in 234
With a population of 6,077 and a total crime rate of 428 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.
Signal Mountain Population: 8,749 526 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 90 Property Crime / 100k: 436 chance of being a victim: 1 in 190
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Signal Mountain 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 526, 91% lower than the Tennessee average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 190 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 Signal Mountain a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Oakland Population: 8,440 580 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 73 Property Crime / 100k: 508 chance of being a victim: 1 in 172
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Oakland consistently ranks high in safety. In Oakland, 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 580, which is 89% lower than the state average.
Fairview Population: 9,268 591 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 124 Property Crime / 100k: 467 chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
Fairview 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 591 crimes per 100,000 people, 90% lower than the Tennessee average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 19 reports of burglary, 391 reports of theft, 57 reports of vehicle theft, 76 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 48 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Greenbrier Population: 7,131 619 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 158 Property Crime / 100k: 460 chance of being a victim: 1 in 162
Greenbrier ranks as the seventh safest city in Tennessee and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 162 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.12 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. Greenbrier’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Tennessee.
Maryville Population: 30,172 638 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 132 Property Crime / 100k: 506 chance of being a victim: 1 in 157
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Maryville is the 8th safest city in Tennessee. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 67% lower than the Tennessee average, reporting a total of 638 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.
Spring Hill Population: 42,910 663 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 164 Property Crime / 100k: 499 chance of being a victim: 1 in 151
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Spring Hill 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 663 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 40% lower than the state average.
Atoka Population: 9,712 696 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 176 Property Crime / 100k: 520 chance of being a victim: 1 in 144
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Tennessee, is Atoka. With a low rate of crime that included 56 burglaries, 334 thefts, 130 vehicle thefts, 176 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 89% 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 9,422 50 207 257
2 Church Hill 6,857 27 274 301
3 Kingston 6,077 127 301 428
4 Signal Mountain 8,749 90 436 526
5 Oakland 8,440 73 508 580
6 Fairview 9,268 124 467 591
7 Greenbrier 7,131 158 460 619
8 Maryville 30,172 132 506 638
9 Spring Hill 42,910 164 499 663
10 Atoka 9,712 176 520 696
11 Loudon 6,040 160 538 698
12 Millersville 6,596 238 461 699
13 Soddy-Daisy 13,883 166 595 760
14 Henderson 6,498 186 590 776
15 Brentwood 44,025 58 730 787
16 Portland 13,381 372 460 832
17 Hendersonville 59,856 123 714 837
18 Collegedale 11,633 17 828 845
19 Gallatin 41,372 208 749 957
20 White House 12,599 235 736 971
21 McKenzie 5,709 286 714 999
22 Goodlettsville 17,430 127 895 1,022
23 Munford 6,289 449 623 1,072
24 Franklin 83,480 132 943 1,075
25 Mount Juliet 36,915 159 965 1,124
26 La Follette 6,970 320 877 1,197
27 Dunlap 5,355 168 1,040 1,208
28 Springfield 17,576 390 917 1,308
29 Germantown 40,725 168 1,177 1,345
30 Lebanon 36,126 345 1,034 1,378
31 Martin 10,847 298 1,085 1,383
32 Collierville 52,243 150 1,269 1,419
33 Jonesborough 5,684 150 1,332 1,481
34 Halls 9,435 245 1,276 1,522
35 Bartlett 61,391 250 1,283 1,534
36 Oak Ridge 29,938 291 1,277 1,567
37 Red Bank 12,075 396 1,172 1,569
38 Dayton 7,510 241 1,433 1,674
39 Elizabethton 14,021 148 1,560 1,708
40 Sweetwater 6,125 343 1,374 1,717
41 Alcoa 10,194 385 1,360 1,745
42 Lawrenceburg 11,258 322 1,478 1,800
43 Lafayette 5,393 118 1,722 1,840
44 Paris 10,260 164 1,689 1,853
45 Lenoir City 9,420 348 1,603 1,951
46 Cookeville 34,916 293 1,662 1,954
47 Clarksville 160,664 410 1,632 2,042
48 Tullahoma 20,737 391 1,669 2,061
49 Greeneville 15,421 258 1,897 2,156
50 Humboldt 8,431 575 1,622 2,197

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.