The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Tennessee

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Tennessee For 2024

Memphis is Tennessee’s 2nd biggest city, but in terms of crime, it takes the #1 spot. The violent crime rate is especially bad in Memphis, outstripping the national average by over 400% and ranking as the highest in the state.

Elvis Presley is probably rolling over in his grave at the state of things in Memphis. The city had 269 murders in 2022, the fourth highest murder rate statewide. Overall, residents had a 1 in 41 chance of being the victim of a property crime.

And the bad news keeps on coming — Memphis had the second highest burglary rate in Tennessee and experienced 10,924 car thefts over 2022. Overall, the city averaged over ten property crimes per day.

Not to mention that Memphis had the highest rate of arson cases on this list by a very wide margin, averaging almost one per day.

Dyersburg motto is the Gateway to Everywhere, but unfortunately, that includes being the gateway to staggeringly high crime rates.

It’s a good idea to triple check that you’ve locked your doors if you’re heading to one of Dyersburg city parks, seeing as the city had the highest burglary rates in Tennessee.

And it’s not just property crime going down in Dyersburg, either. The city had the sixth highest violent crime rate in the state, including the fifth highest murder rate.

Chattanooga might look like a peaceful city from the vistas afforded at Lookout Mountain, but down on the streets, crime is all too common.

Violent crime is pretty bad across the board, with Chattanooga reporting 166 rapes and 24 murders in 2022, the fourth highest and 14th highest rates statewide, respectively.

You’ll also want to make sure you lock your car doors wherever you go in Chattanooga because with 1,360 car thefts recorded over the year, stolen cars are more common here than in the bigger cities of Memphis and Nashville.

The county seat of McMinn County in eastern Tennessee, Athens’ nickname of “The Friendly City” is belied by the crime situation.

Folks in Athens faced a 1 in 17 shot being the victim of a property crime in 2022, representing the third highest rate in Tennessee.

In fact, Athens’ property crime rate is more than three times higher than the national average. We just hope nobody’s planning a heist on the local Living Heritage Museum.

On the bright side, Athens is the least violent place on this list and didn’t have a single murder in 2022.

We’re wrapping up our tour of Tennessee’s most dangerous places with its capital and biggest city, Nashville.

People come from far and wide to check out the Country Music Hall of Fame or see a show at the Grand Ole Opry, but tourists would be well-advised to keep their guard up in Nashville.

That’s because folks faced a 1 in 90 shot at being the victim of an assault, robbery, rape, or murder in 2022.

The silver lining is that property crime in Nashville is far lower than most places on the list, but try telling that to one of the 2,987 people who had their cars stolen in Nashville last year.

Union City has its intellectual side. The community provides the home of Discovery Park of America, a wide-ranging museum, with exhibits as diverse as dinosaurs and NASCAR. The area also has its natural wonders. Located in a rural part of northwest Tennessee, a short drive will take you to Reelfoot Lake State Park.

However, not everything in town revolves around museum exhibits and strolls by a lake. There’s a dark side as well. Union City represents the number 6 most dangerous spot in Tennessee, including a frighteningly high rate of sexual assaults.

Nestled in Roane County, Rockwood, Tennessee, is unfortunately known for its high crime rates. As of 2024, the city ranks as the seventh most dangerous place to live within the state. With a population of 5,571, it has an alarming violent crime rate of 735/100k, placing it at the 18th highest position statewide for violent crime.

Rockwood is situated at the base of Walden Ridge, where the Eastern and Central Time Zones intersect. The city’s boundaries stretch from the Watts Bar Lake impoundment of the Tennessee River to U.S. Route 70.

Pigeon Forge, ranked as the eighth most dangerous place to live in Tennessee, has experienced concerning crime statistics. With a population of 6,340, this mountain resort city in Sevier County has seen a notable crime rate that contributes to its reputation for being dangerous. In particular, Pigeon Forge reported 52 incidents of violent crime. Additionally, property crimes are prevalent in the area, with 250 reported cases.

Despite these challenges, it’s important to approach the topic with a neutral perspective and acknowledge that Pigeon Forge can improve its safety record with dedicated efforts. Located just 5 miles north of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Pigeon Forge is a popular tourist destination that attracts visitors from all over. By prioritizing community safety and implementing proactive measures, such as enhanced law enforcement and community outreach programs, Pigeon Forge can create a safer environment for residents and tourists alike.

A part of the Memphis metro area, Millington ranks as the ninth least safe in Tennessee.

The violent crime rate is above average as a whole, but a 74th highest place ranking in murder rate is the really spooky part about Millington. Be sure to buddy up for walks in Meeman-Shelby Forest, or you might become the protagonist of a horror movie.

Regardless of where you’re going, lock your doors in Millington because the city had the third highest burglary rate in Tennessee in 2022.

Located in Sullivan and Hawkins counties, Kingsport, Tennessee, you’ll find the city along the Holston River. However, despite its location and rich historical background, Kingsport has earned a less-than-desirable reputation for safety by 2024.

With a population of 55,799, Kingsport holds the tenth rank as the most dangerous place to live in Tennessee. The city’s violent crime rate stands at 786/100k, ranking it as the 16th highest in the state. Property crime, too, is alarmingly high at 4,069/100k, making Kingsport the eighth highest city for property crime in Tennessee.

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