| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Ripley/100k people | Tennessee/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 295 | n/a (estimate) | 3,894 | 2,624 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 13.2 | 7.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 66.0 | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 3 | n/a | 39.6 | 58.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 123 | n/a | 1,623.8 | 488.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 132 | n/a (estimate) | 1,743 | 592 | 359 |
| Burglary | 32 | n/a | 422.4 | 251.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 112 | n/a | 1,478.6 | 1,443.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 19 | n/a | 250.8 | 336.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 163 | n/a (estimate) | 2,152 | 2,032 | 1,760 |

The Ripley crime rates are 83.8% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 132 violent crimes in Ripley (1743 per 100,000 people), which is 385.3% higher than the national average and there were a total of 163 property crimes (2152 per 100,000 residents) which is 22.3% higher than average.
With a violent crime rate of 1743 crimes per 100,000 residents, Ripley is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Ripley ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Ripley is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 1 murders in Ripley, which equates to 13 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Ripley being a very dangerous place to live.
What is the prevailing sentiment among Ripley residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 11 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 18% of Ripley residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 82% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Ripley a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Ripley crime rate is 84% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.81 crimes per day - 0.36 violent crimes and 0.45 property crimes.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Ripley has decreased by 22.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Ripley, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 2.9%, while property crime has decreased by 32.9%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Ripley is a safe place to live.
Ripley reports an unemployment rate of 5.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.9%. Constrained employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-paying positions can contribute to elevated rates of unemployment and underemployment. Areas where individuals contend with joblessness or insufficient wages may display heightened susceptibility to an increase in criminal activities attributed to economic insecurity. Conversely, regions characterized by robust employment rates often witness a decrease in overall Ripley crime rates.
Ripley has a population density of 623.7 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Ripley crime rates.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, 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 Ripley, the cost of living is 15.7% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Ripley | Tennessee | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 35 | 11,551 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.1 | 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 |
| Henning, TN | 1,209 | 298 | 1,023 | 1,321 |
| Halls, TN | 9,435 | 245 | 1,276 | 1,522 |
| Garland, TN | 338 | 527 | 1,808 | 2,335 |
| Burlison, TN | 343 | 632 | 2,170 | 2,802 |
| Covington, TN | 9,113 | 1,113 | 2,530 | 3,643 |
| Gates, TN | 504 | 841 | 2,886 | 3,727 |
| Ripley, TN | 8,025 | 1,743 | 2,152 | 3,894 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Ashland, VA | 8,026 | 595 | 2,100 | 2,695 |
| Floris, VA | 8,028 | 76 | 551 | 627 |
| Centerville, GA | 8,028 | 305 | 1,567 | 1,872 |
| Creston, IA | 8,021 | 272 | 1,035 | 1,307 |
| Grove City, PA | 8,030 | 168 | 491 | 658 |
| Ripley, TN | 8,025 | 1,743 | 2,152 | 3,894 |