| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Chattanooga/100k people | Tennessee/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 9,003 | n/a (estimate) | 4,766 | 2,624 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 24 | n/a | 12.7 | 7.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 172 | n/a | 91.1 | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 177 | n/a | 93.7 | 58.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,183 | n/a | 626.3 | 488.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,556 | n/a (estimate) | 824 | 592 | 359 |
| Burglary | 717 | n/a | 379.6 | 251.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 5,471 | n/a | 2,896.3 | 1,443.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,259 | n/a | 666.5 | 336.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 7,447 | n/a (estimate) | 3,942 | 2,032 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Chattanooga is 124.9% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 1556 violent crimes reported in Chattanooga, equivalent to 824 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 129.4%. Additionally, Chattanooga recorded 7447 property crimes, amounting to 3942 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 124%.
Chattanooga has a crime rate of 4766 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 124.9%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Chattanooga. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
Chattanooga is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 824 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 Chattanooga is 1 in 122.
While murder rates in the United States have shown a consistent decline since 1990, recent years have witnessed an increase. Unfortunately, Chattanooga ranks among the cities with the highest murder rates in the nation, when compared to all reporting cities in the U.S. In Chattanooga, there were a total of 24 murders, translating to 13 murders per 100,000 residents. This alarming statistic underscores the need for heightened attention to community safety and crime prevention efforts in the area.
Chattanooga has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 3942 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 Chattanooga is 1 in 26, which is far higher than the national average.
The surge in vehicle thefts is a concerning trend across the United States, and Chattanooga is no exception, experiencing one of the nation's highest vehicle theft rates. Last year, Chattanooga reported a total of 1259 vehicle thefts, resulting in 667 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This places the city in the lowest 10% tier among all cities, indicating that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The probability of a vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 151, underscoring the need for heightened vigilance and security measures.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Chattanooga residents. Out of the respondents (232 in total), 44% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Chattanooga were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 56% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Chattanooga a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Chattanooga has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 125%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 24.67 daily incidents, encompassing 4.26 violent crimes and 20.4 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Chattanooga as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Chattanooga. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Chattanooga has decreased by 33.1%. Violent crimes have decreased by 38.8%, while property crimes have decreased by 31.8%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
In Chattanooga, the poverty rate currently stands at 17.6%, 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 Chattanooga crime rates.
In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Chattanooga currently has an unemployment rate of 3.4%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.
The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Chattanooga, there are 3.2 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.
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| Item | Chattanooga | Tennessee | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 549 | 11,551 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.2 | 3.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Tennessee /100K | National /100K |
| Tennessee | 24,578 | 412 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lookout Mountain, GA | 1,667 | 60 | 238 | 298 |
| Walden, TN | 1,909 | 83 | 285 | 368 |
| Fairmount, TN | 1,512 | 83 | 285 | 368 |
| Lookout Mountain, TN | 2,061 | 93 | 319 | 412 |
| Chickamauga, GA | 3,335 | 0 | 419 | 419 |
| Falling Water, TN | 1,592 | 100 | 344 | 445 |
| Lakesite, TN | 1,890 | 104 | 359 | 463 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 824 | 3,942 | 4,766 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | 187,807 | 144 | 767 | 911 |
| Vancouver, WA | 188,837 | 582 | 3,407 | 3,990 |
| Worcester, MA | 189,035 | 16 | 0 | 16 |
| Brownsville, TX | 189,413 | 456 | 1,942 | 2,398 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 185,812 | 527 | 2,915 | 3,442 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 187,734 | 824 | 3,942 | 4,766 |
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