Most Dangerous Cities in Tennessee 2024: Skyrocketing Crime Rates Demand Urgent Attention

Most Dangerous Cities in Tennessee 2024: Crime Rates Soar to Alarming Levels

Tennessee’s Most Dangerous Cities 2024: Urgent Action Needed as Crime Rates Surge

In 2024, Tennessee is one of the most dangerous states in the US with very high crime rates, according to the report of PopulationU. In 2021, there were 146,650 crimes against Americans which is 673 incidents for every 100,000 Americans—the highest in the South. Most of these were assaults with 137,869 cases. There were also 761 murders, 108 human trafficking cases, 2,144 kidnappings and 5,768 sex offenses. Property crimes were also high with 241,615 cases reported. This includes 112,912 thefts, 22,517 burglaries, 609 extortions, 20,142 car thefts and 4,924 robberies. These numbers show that Tennessee’s cities have serious crime problems that need urgent attention.

6 Most Dangerous Cities in Tennessee

Nashville

In 2024, Nashville remains a significant concern for public safety in Tennessee, ranked as the twenty-second most dangerous city in the state. With a population of 690,553 in 2021, the city reported 22,322 violent crimes that year, an increase from 20,870 in 2020 and 7,376 in 2019. This equates to a violent crime rate of about 32.32 incidents per 1,000 residents in 2022. Nashville’s most dangerous neighborhoods include Downtown, Heron Walk, Glencliff, West Meade, Talbot’s Corner, and Bordeaux. In 2021, the city recorded 104 homicides, 816 sex offenses, 276 rapes, and significant property crimes including 76 arson cases, 2,984 motor vehicle thefts, 1,599 robberies, and 3,549 drug or narcotic cases. The crime rate in Nashville has slightly increased from 30.33 per 1,000 residents in 2020 to 32.32 in 2021, indicating a persistent and growing challenge for the community and law enforcement.

Memphis

Memphis continues to be one of the most dangerous cities in Tennessee, ranked third in the state for violent crime. With a population of 649,444 in 2021, Memphis saw 36,897 violent crimes that year, a slight increase from 36,440 in 2020 and significantly up from 12,367 in 2019. The violent crime rate in 2022 was approximately 56.81 per 1,000 residents. The city’s most troubled neighborhoods include Shelby Forest Frayser, Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, White Haven-Coro Lake, Midtown, Berclair-Highland Heights, and Raleigh. In 2021, Memphis recorded 357 homicides, 686 sex offenses, 311 rapes, and faced substantial property crimes with 367 arson cases, 4,965 motor vehicle thefts, 2,066 robberies, and 5,168 drug or narcotic cases. The crime rate in Memphis rose slightly from 55.98 per 1,000 residents in 2020 to 56.81 in 2021, highlighting ongoing safety concerns.

Knoxville

Knoxville, ranked as the thirty-fifth most dangerous city in Tennessee, struggles with a rising crime rate. In 2021, with a population of 191,463, the city reported 5,305 violent crimes, up from 4,876 in 2020 and significantly higher than 1,259 in 2019. This results in a violent crime rate of about 27.71 per 1,000 residents in 2022. The most dangerous neighborhoods in Knoxville include Old North Knoxville, Old City, Downtown, Old Sevier, Beaumont, and South Knoxville. In 2021, Knoxville reported 37 homicides, 235 sex offenses, 125 rapes, and faced property crimes such as 13 arson cases, 1,089 motor vehicle thefts, 172 robberies, and 3,624 drug or narcotic cases.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is the seventeenth most dangerous city in Tennessee, with significant crime issues. The city had a population of 186,222 in 2021 and reported 6,360 violent crimes that year, an increase from 6,024 in 2020 and a substantial rise from 1,946 in 2019. In 2022, the violent crime rate was about 34.15 per 1,000 residents. Dangerous neighborhoods in Chattanooga include Glenwood, Highland Park, and Alton Park. In 2021, Chattanooga recorded 33 homicides, 399 sex offenses, 181 rapes, and experienced property crimes including 31 arson cases, 1,458 motor vehicle thefts, 196 robberies, and 3,334 drug or narcotic cases.

Clarksville

Clarksville ranked forty-eighth among the most dangerous cities in Tennessee, also faces rising crime rates. With a population of 164,336 in 2021, the city reported 3,816 violent crimes, up from 3,654 in 2020 and significantly higher than 926 in 2019. In 2022, violent crimes occurred at a rate of about 23.22 per 1,000 residents. Clarksville’s neighborhoods, such as Round Pond, Liverwort, Woodlawn, Port Royal, and Hampton Station, are areas of concern. In 2021, Clarksville recorded 18 homicides, 217 sex offenses, 67 rapes, and property crimes including 11 arson cases, 434 motor vehicle thefts, 82 robberies, and 2,725 drug or narcotic cases. The city’s crime rate increased from 22.67 per 1,000 residents in 2020 to 23.22 in 2021.

Murfreesboro

Murfreesboro ranked forty-third in Tennessee for violent crime, saw a slight decrease in its crime rate. With a population of 155,652 in 2021, the city reported 3,993 violent crimes, down from 4,272 in 2020 but up from 611 in 2019. In 2022, the violent crime rate was about 25.65 per 1,000 residents. The city’s most dangerous neighborhoods include Downtown, Frayser, and Parkway Village Oakhaven. In 2021, Murfreesboro recorded 7 homicides, 163 sex offenses, 58 rapes, and faced property crimes including 3 arson cases, 287 motor vehicle thefts, 53 robberies, and 1,946 drug or narcotic cases. The crime rate in Murfreesboro decreased from 28.15 per 1,000 residents in 2020 to 25.65 in 2021, showing some improvement.

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