| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Selmer/100k people | Tennessee/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 123 | n/a (estimate) | 2,739 | 2,624 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 66.8 | 7.9 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 44.5 | 37.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 22.3 | 58.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 33 | n/a | 735.0 | 488.6 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 39 | n/a (estimate) | 869 | 592 | 359 |
| Burglary | 15 | n/a | 334.1 | 251.8 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 61 | n/a | 1,358.6 | 1,443.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 8 | n/a | 178.2 | 336.7 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 84 | n/a (estimate) | 1,871 | 2,032 | 1,760 |
The Selmer crime rates are 29.3% 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 39 violent crimes in Selmer (869 per 100,000 people), which is 141.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 84 property crimes (1871 per 100,000 residents) which is 6.3% higher than average.
Selmer ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 869 per 100,000 people, Selmer is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 116 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Selmer, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Selmer is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 3 murders in Selmer, which equates to 67 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Selmer being a very dangerous place to live.
The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Selmer is very similar to the national average. Selmer had a property crime rate of 1871, while the national average was 1760. Based on these numbers, you could expect an average amount of property crime in this area.
To determine if Selmer is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Selmer has a total crime rate that is 29% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.34 daily crimes (0.11 violent daily crimes and 0.23 daily property crimes) in Selmer.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Selmer. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Selmer has increased by 33.7%. Violent crimes have increased by 85.7%, while property crimes have increased by 18.3%. 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.
Selmer has a poverty rate of 23.1, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Selmer, 72.5% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Selmer has a median home price of $147,579, deviating from the national average of $326,622. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Selmer | Tennessee | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 20 | 11,551 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.5 | 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 |
| Crump, TN | 1,667 | 238 | 818 | 1,056 |
| Adamsville, TN | 2,199 | 395 | 1,622 | 2,017 |
| Silerton, TN | 147 | 678 | 2,326 | 3,003 |
| Michie, TN | 878 | 744 | 2,554 | 3,298 |
| Guys, TN | 443 | 755 | 2,593 | 3,349 |
| Hornsby, TN | 437 | 764 | 2,622 | 3,386 |
| Milledgeville, TN | 308 | 779 | 2,675 | 3,454 |
| Selmer, TN | 4,502 | 869 | 1,871 | 2,739 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lake of the Pines, CA | 4,502 | 218 | 934 | 1,152 |
| North Terre Haute, IN | 4,501 | 228 | 1,006 | 1,234 |
| Tarentum, PA | 4,504 | 180 | 1,093 | 1,273 |
| Camanche, IA | 4,504 | 198 | 638 | 836 |
| Oak Grove, TN | 4,499 | 320 | 1,098 | 1,418 |
| Selmer, TN | 4,502 | 869 | 1,871 | 2,739 |
Here are the best places to live in Tennessee
These are the 10 cheapest cities in Tennessee
Most Dangerous States In The US
Safest States In The US