Top 10 most dangerous cities in Tennessee

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Tennessee, known for its vibrant music scene and rich cultural heritage, offers a unique living experience. From the bustling city life of Nashville to the scenic beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee provides a diverse array of attractions. The state's rich cultural heritage is evident in its music, festivals, and historic sites. However, despite its many positives, Tennessee faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Tennessee are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where extra caution is necessary. The contrast between Tennessee's cultural vibrancy and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this diverse state.

Efforts to improve safety in Tennessee involve a combination of enhanced law enforcement measures and community engagement programs aimed at preventing violence and crime. These initiatives are crucial in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and positive change. Tennessee's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of cultural richness, natural beauty, and economic opportunities continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

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Memphis Population: 674,455 2,501 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 6.85 chance of being a victim: 1 in 40 Total Crimes / 100k: 9,400

Memphis, TN holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Tennessee with 2,501 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (2,042), robbery (349), rape (70) and homicide (41) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 322% higher than the Tennessee average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Ripley Population: 8,025 1,743 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.77 chance of being a victim: 1 in 57 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,894

The second most dangerous city is Ripley. With a population of 8,025 and a violent crime rate that is 194% higher than the Tennessee average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Ripley are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,743 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 57 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Bolivar Population: 5,108 1,270 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.48 chance of being a victim: 1 in 79 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,751

Home to 5,108 residents, Bolivar, TN ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Tennessee. Unfortunately for residents of Bolivar, crime is widespread, with more than 1,270 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 3.48 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 114% higher than the Tennessee violent crime rate.

Dyersburg Population: 16,887 1,257 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.44 chance of being a victim: 1 in 80 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,012

With a violent crime rate that is 112% higher than the Tennessee average, it's not hard to see why Dyersburg made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (57), assault (1,099), rape (82) and homicide (19). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Dyersburg more vulnerable to high crime.

Fayetteville Population: 7,292 1,150 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.15 chance of being a victim: 1 in 87 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,826

The ongoing battle with crime in Fayetteville, TN, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 1,150 and a 1 in 87 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Fayetteville has a violent crime rate that is 94% higher than the Tennessee average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Fayetteville.

Nashville Population: 692,022 1,124 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.08 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,634

Nashville, TN comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 1,124 per 100,000 people, which is 90% higher than the Tennessee average. Nashville has a population of 692,022, which translates to 3.08 crimes per day and 1 in 89 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Nashville which are much safer than others.

Covington Population: 9,113 1,113 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.05 chance of being a victim: 1 in 90 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,643

A 1 in 90 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 3.05 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Covington makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 1,113 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 88% higher than the Tennessee average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (1,019), robbery (59), rape (35) and homicide (0).

Brownsville Population: 9,877 1,036 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.84 chance of being a victim: 1 in 97 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,541

Brownsville, TN is another one of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 9,877 and a violent crime rate of 1,036 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 853 counts of assault, 86 counts of robbery, 97 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. All told, the Brownsville violent crime rate is 75% higher than the Tennessee average.

Jackson Population: 69,498 950 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.60 chance of being a victim: 1 in 105 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,111

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Jackson, TN comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Tennessee with a violent crime rate of 950 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.60 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 105 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Chattanooga Population: 187,734 824 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.26 chance of being a victim: 1 in 121 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,766

Rounding out our list at #10 is Chattanooga, TN. With a population of 187,734 and a violent crime rate of 824 per 100,000 people (39% higher than the Tennessee average), some parts of Chattanooga are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 626 counts of assault, 94 counts of robbery, 91 counts of rape and 13 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 121 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Memphis	674,455	2,501	9,400
2	Ripley	8,025	1,743	3,894
3	Bolivar	5,108	1,270	3,751
4	Dyersburg	16,887	1,257	6,012
5	Fayetteville	7,292	1,150	2,826
6	Nashville	692,022	1,124	5,634
7	Covington	9,113	1,113	3,643
8	Brownsville	9,877	1,036	3,541
9	Jackson	69,498	950	4,111
10	Chattanooga	187,734	824	4,766
11	Pigeon Forge	6,487	788	3,956
12	Morristown	30,738	765	3,236
13	Knoxville	193,504	740	3,462
14	Lewisburg	12,475	716	2,648
15	Union City	10,733	698	3,123
16	Savannah	7,206	694	3,200
17	Newport	7,093	685	4,993
18	Manchester	11,241	653	3,112
19	Crossville	12,131	646	3,232
20	McMinnville	13,998	638	2,307
21	Athens	14,414	622	4,288
22	Millington	11,024	602	4,404
23	Rockwood	5,618	579	2,650
24	Humboldt	8,431	575	2,197
25	Columbia	40,814	573	3,060
26	Milan	7,870	564	2,557
27	Harriman	6,336	480	4,067
28	La Vergne	36,426	476	2,311
29	Dickson	16,026	465	2,792
30	Pulaski	7,908	461	2,827
31	Cleveland	46,880	453	2,837
32	Clinton	10,217	451	2,598
33	Munford	6,289	449	1,072
34	Kingsport	55,254	441	3,401
35	Sevierville	17,729	437	3,611
36	Shelbyville	22,648	433	2,343
37	Murfreesboro	146,103	420	2,442
38	Lexington	8,145	413	2,400
39	East Ridge	21,728	411	2,408
40	Clarksville	160,664	410	2,042
41	Johnson City	69,135	402	2,705
42	Red Bank	12,075	396	1,569
43	Tullahoma	20,737	391	2,061
44	Springfield	17,576	390	1,308
45	Alcoa	10,194	385	1,745
46	Winchester	9,014	373	2,967
47	Portland	13,381	372	832
48	Madisonville	5,104	372	2,584
49	Bristol	27,756	363	2,322
50	Lenoir City	9,420	348	1,951

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous 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 data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Tennessee cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.