Safest cities in Tennessee

Known as the 'Volunteer State,' Tennessee is rich in music history, vibrant cities, and scenic landscapes. Located in the southeastern United States, Tennessee offers a diverse geography that includes the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the fertile plains of the Mississippi River. The state's economy is robust, driven by industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, and tourism. Nashville, the state capital, is famously known as the 'Music City,' renowned for its country music heritage and vibrant arts scene. Memphis, another major city, is known for its blues music, historic sites, and cultural attractions.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Tennessee particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Tennessee's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Tennessee's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

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Nolensville Population: 9,221 257 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 50 Property Crime / 100k: 207 chance of being a victim: 1 in 389
Nolensville proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Tennessee. With only 257 crimes per 100,000 people, Nolensville has a crime rate that is 84% lower than the Tennessee average. This equates to an average of 0.11 crimes per day and a 1 in 389 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.
Church Hill Population: 6,664 301 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 274 chance of being a victim: 1 in 332
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Church Hill comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Tennessee with a crime rate of 301 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 55 counts of burglary, 205 counts of theft, 14 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 27 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Church Hill, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Kingston Population: 5,946 428 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 127 Property Crime / 100k: 301 chance of being a victim: 1 in 234
With a population of 5,946 and a total crime rate of 428 per 100,000 residents, Kingston is the 3rd safest city in Tennessee. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 94% lower than the Tennessee average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.
Signal Mountain Population: 8,574 526 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 90 Property Crime / 100k: 436 chance of being a victim: 1 in 190
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Signal Mountain is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 526, 91% lower than the Tennessee average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 190 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Signal Mountain a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Oakland Population: 8,135 580 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 73 Property Crime / 100k: 508 chance of being a victim: 1 in 172
Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Oakland consistently ranks high in safety. In Oakland, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 580, which is 89% lower than the state average.
Fairview Population: 8,989 591 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 124 Property Crime / 100k: 467 chance of being a victim: 1 in 169
Fairview has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Tennessee. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 591 crimes per 100,000 people, 90% lower than the Tennessee average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 19 reports of burglary, 391 reports of theft, 57 reports of vehicle theft, 76 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 48 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Greenbrier Population: 6,859 619 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 158 Property Crime / 100k: 460 chance of being a victim: 1 in 162
Greenbrier ranks as the seventh safest city in Tennessee and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 162 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.12 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Greenbrier’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Tennessee.
Maryville Population: 29,325 638 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 132 Property Crime / 100k: 506 chance of being a victim: 1 in 157
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Maryville is the 8th safest city in Tennessee. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 67% lower than the Tennessee average, reporting a total of 638 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.
Spring Hill Population: 41,797 663 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 164 Property Crime / 100k: 499 chance of being a victim: 1 in 151
Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Spring Hill is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Tennessee, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 663 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 40% lower than the state average.
Atoka Population: 9,407 696 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 176 Property Crime / 100k: 520 chance of being a victim: 1 in 144
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Tennessee, is Atoka. With a low rate of crime that included 56 burglaries, 334 thefts, 130 vehicle thefts, 176 assaults, 0 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 89% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Tennessee

Rank Location Population Violent Crimes /100k Property Crimes /100k Total Crimes /100k 
1 Nolensville 9,221 50 207 257
2 Church Hill 6,664 27 274 301
3 Kingston 5,946 127 301 428
4 Signal Mountain 8,574 90 436 526
5 Oakland 8,135 73 508 580
6 Fairview 8,989 124 467 591
7 Greenbrier 6,859 158 460 619
8 Maryville 29,325 132 506 638
9 Spring Hill 41,797 164 499 663
10 Atoka 9,407 176 520 696
11 Loudon 5,829 160 538 698
12 Millersville 6,403 238 461 699
13 Soddy-Daisy 13,510 166 595 760
14 Henderson 6,323 186 590 776
15 Brentwood 42,700 58 730 787
16 Portland 12,928 372 460 832
17 Hendersonville 57,888 123 714 837
18 Collegedale 11,402 17 828 845
19 Gallatin 40,262 208 749 957
20 White House 12,258 235 736 971
21 McKenzie 5,517 286 714 999
22 Goodlettsville 16,829 127 895 1,022
23 Munford 6,090 449 623 1,072
24 Franklin 80,675 132 943 1,075
25 Mount Juliet 35,834 159 965 1,124
26 La Follette 6,762 320 877 1,197
27 Dunlap 5,159 168 1,040 1,208
28 Springfield 17,147 390 917 1,308
29 Germantown 39,196 168 1,177 1,345
30 Lebanon 34,759 345 1,034 1,378
31 Martin 10,585 298 1,085 1,383
32 Collierville 50,596 150 1,269 1,419
33 Jonesborough 5,539 150 1,332 1,481
34 Halls 9,135 245 1,276 1,522
35 Bartlett 59,252 250 1,283 1,534
36 Oak Ridge 29,124 291 1,277 1,567
37 Red Bank 11,785 396 1,172 1,569
38 Dayton 7,357 241 1,433 1,674
39 Elizabethton 13,568 148 1,560 1,708
40 Sweetwater 5,894 343 1,374 1,717
41 Alcoa 9,809 385 1,360 1,745
42 Lawrenceburg 10,925 322 1,478 1,800
43 Lafayette 5,239 118 1,722 1,840
44 Paris 10,021 164 1,689 1,853
45 Lenoir City 9,191 348 1,603 1,951
46 Cookeville 33,922 293 1,662 1,954
47 Clarksville 156,092 410 1,632 2,042
48 Tullahoma 19,982 391 1,669 2,061
49 Greeneville 14,938 258 1,897 2,156
50 Humboldt 8,145 575 1,622 2,197

Methodology

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

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.