| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Knoxville/100k people | Tennessee/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 6,939 | n/a (estimate) | 3,462 | 2,624 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 22 | n/a | 11.0 | 7.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 130 | n/a | 64.9 | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 164 | n/a | 81.8 | 58.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 1,168 | n/a | 582.7 | 488.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,484 | n/a (estimate) | 740 | 592 | 359 |
| Burglary | 659 | n/a | 328.7 | 251.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 4,037 | n/a | 2,013.9 | 1,443.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 759 | n/a | 378.6 | 336.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 5,455 | n/a (estimate) | 2,721 | 2,032 | 1,760 |
Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Knoxville crime rate is higher than the national average by 63.3%. Specifically, there were 1484 violent crimes in Knoxville, equivalent to 740 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 106.2%. Furthermore, Knoxville recorded 5455 property crimes, amounting to 2721 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 54.6%.
Knoxville has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 740 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Knoxville falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 136 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Knoxville stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Knoxville, there were a total of 22 murders, translating to 11 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
What do the local residents think about crime in Knoxville? Well, based on a recent survey of 246 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 41% of Knoxville residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 59% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether Knoxville is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Knoxville has an overall crime rate that is 63% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 19.01 daily occurrences, comprising 4.07 violent crimes and 14.95 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Knoxville as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Knoxville. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Knoxville has decreased by 25.6%. Violent crimes have decreased by 6.5%, while property crimes have decreased by 29.5%. 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.
Knoxville is a large urban city with at least 14 distinct neighborhoods. As a result, crime rates will differ dramatically from one neighborhood to the next. Typically, high density neighborhoods that are located close to the city center, experience more crime than neighborhoods on the outskirts of the city. Some of the safest neighborhoods in Knoxville include: Fourth And Gill, Downtown Knoxville and Old City. Some neighborhoods that have a higher number of reported crime that you might want to avoid include: Beaumont, College Hills and Park City.
Knoxville has a population density of 1960.2 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Knoxville crime rates.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Knoxville, the cost of living is 12.67% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Knoxville, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2.79, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.
| Item | Knoxville | Tennessee | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 509 | 11,551 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 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 |
| Louisville, TN | 4,298 | 154 | 528 | 682 |
| Plainview, TN | 2,170 | 90 | 678 | 768 |
| Wildwood, TN | 1,263 | 192 | 657 | 849 |
| Blaine, TN | 2,027 | 93 | 834 | 927 |
| Friendsville, TN | 1,084 | 219 | 751 | 970 |
| Farragut, TN | 23,607 | 249 | 853 | 1,102 |
| Mascot, TN | 2,762 | 259 | 889 | 1,148 |
| Knoxville, TN | 193,504 | 740 | 2,721 | 3,462 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Cape Coral, FL | 194,835 | 259 | 1,378 | 1,637 |
| Frisco, TX | 195,310 | 101 | 1,003 | 1,104 |
| McKinney, TX | 195,852 | 117 | 815 | 933 |
| Shreveport, LA | 197,125 | 1,229 | 3,990 | 5,219 |
| Mobile, AL | 197,324 | 752 | 1,674 | 2,426 |
| Knoxville, TN | 193,504 | 740 | 2,721 | 3,462 |
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