Tennessee’s Most Dangerous Cities: Crime Rates in Memphis, Nashville, and Beyond!

Landmarks, Culture, and Crime Trends in the Volunteer State

Discovering Beauty Amidst Crime Challenges in Memphis and Nashville

According to Travel Safe – Abroad, Tennessee is a beautiful southern state divided by the Tennessee River, the Mississippi Delta, and the Smokey Mountains. The Smokey Mountains dominate the east with Knoxville home to Jack Daniels whiskey and the University of Tennessee nearby. Central Tennessee home to Nashville is known for its rolling green hills and country music. Chattanooga a hiker’s paradise is in the south-central area. The western part including Memphis is known for deep southern blues and Elvis’s Graceland. Despite its beauty Tennessee has the fifth-highest overall crime rate in the U.S. and the third-highest violent crime rate. In 2020, crimes like homicide and theft were common with Nashville and Memphis experiencing high crime rates due to tourism and urban growth.

READ ALSO: Watch Out In 2024 – Why Salt Lake City Is Dangerous?

(PHOTO: USNews.com)

Most Dangerous Cities in Tennessee

Berry Hill

Berry Hill is a trendy Nashville suburb and is known for its small businesses, recording studios, boutiques, and popular restaurants. Surprisingly it has one of the highest crime indices in Tennessee with a rate of 56.2 per 1,000 Americans according to the FBI. This crime rate is 1,217% higher than the national average. Visitors to Berry Hill are advised to visit during the daytime or in groups at night to ensure safety.

Pigeon Forge

Located in east Tennessee Pigeon Forge is a popular recreational area in the Eastern Time Zone. Despite its charm the crime index is 60 per 1,000 Americans giving residents and visitors a 1 in 17 chance of encountering crime. This area experiences one of the highest crime rates in America. While the region is growing at nearly 20%, higher than both the state and national averages the median household income remains near $30,000. To stay safe in Pigeon Forge visitors should lock up valuables know their surroundings and inform others of their whereabouts.

Memphis

Memphis is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the country with a crime rate of 1.90 per 1,000 American meaning there’s a 1 in 40 chance of encountering crime. This is higher than the national average of 3.80 per 1,000. Crime in Memphis increased by 23% last year especially in murders and carjackings which went up by 13%. Staying safe in Memphis means making smart choices and using common sense. While the east side is safer the north and south areas have higher crime rates. Downtown Memphis is relatively safe because of police patrols round the clock.

Ripley

Ripley is a small rural city in western Tennessee north of Memphis and has a population of roughly 7,800 Americans. The crime rate in Ripley is 49 per 1,000 Americans giving residents a 1 in 57 chance of encountering violent crime. With a median household income of $19,000 the community experiences higher rates of assault and property crimes. Staying safe in Ripley involves being aware of one’s surroundings and taking precautions with belongings.

Union City

Union City located on the border with Kentucky in northwest Tennessee has a population of about 10,500 Americans. Known for the Discovery Park of America the town has seen a slight increase in crime rates year-over-year primarily due to personal and sexual assaults. Visitors have a 1 in 126 chance of encountering violent crime in Union City compared to the state average of 1 in 148. To stay safe it is important to be aware of one’s surroundings and to stay in groups at night and in unfamiliar areas.

Athens

Athens is a town between Knoxville and Chattanooga and has around 14,000 residents and is known as “The Friendly City.” Even though no murders happened in 2020, there’s a lot of property crime. Americans living there have a higher chance 1 in 17 of having property stolen compared to the rest of the country. Visitors should keep an eye on their things and stay watchful.

Newport

Newport is a small town in eastern Tennessee with just under 7,000 residents and has the highest property crime rate in the state. This includes burglary, auto theft, and other crimes of opportunity. The overall crime rate in Newport is three times the U.S. average with a 1 in 13 chance of having something stolen. Visitors should practice situational awareness and monitor their belongings to stay safe.

Millington

Millington is part of Memphis and has around 10,700 Americans. It’s cheap to live there but there’s a lot of violent crime like murders and it’s third in burglary rates among Tennessee cities.

Dyersburg

Dyersburg located near the Arkansas-Tennessee border is a small city with a population of approximately 16,600 Americans. Despite its peaceful appearance Dyersburg has high crime rates with the fifth most violent crime and the second-highest property crime rate in Tennessee. Residents and visitors have a 1 in 20 chance of being a crime victim. Safety precautions include locking doors, hiding valuables, and being vigilant in public places.

Chattanooga

Chattanooga is a city with a population of around 185,000 and is known for its outdoor activities, trendy bars, and unique museums. However, the city has significant crime issues with 182 rapes and 33 murders reported in 2020 making it the fourth-highest in the state. Chattanooga also experiences a high number of car thefts. The overall crime rate gives residents a 1 in 72 chance of encountering crime. Despite this crime rates in Chattanooga have been improving over the past two years.

READ ALSO: Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Washington State Revealed: Crime Rates Highlight Challenges Across Communities!