No one likes to know where the most dangerous places in Tennessee happen to be, but it’s definitely a great thing to know. We’ve scoured the most recent release of crime statistics put forth by the FBI (see link at the bottom of this article) and have made a list of the most dangerous places in our dear state. Does this mean they’re terrible to live in? Nah. Tennessee is pretty fantastic – you just may not want to venture out too late at night. Curious? Take a look! Want to know how the numbers were calculated? See the link at the bottom!
- Memphis
Thomas R Machnitzki - Wikipedia You may have thought Memphis would top this list, and this time you were right. The city is #1 for its 1 in 42 chance of being the victim of a property crime. If we were ranking this solely on the chance of violent crimes instead, it would still be #1, and it’s worth mentioning that the violent crime rate here is 400% higher than the national average. Oof. Memphis, TN, USA
- Dyersburg
gamblin-monkey- Wikipedia You’re looking at a place with the fifth highest overall violent crime rate and second most dangerous property crime rate, which is a little too high for our liking for a place with a population under 17,000. Dyersburg, TN 38024, USA
- Chattanooga
Imilious - Wikipedia There were 182 rapes and 33 murders in 2020 in Chattanooga, and it makes us sad. We love this sweet little river city! And don’t get us wrong - it’s still worth visiting! Just keep safety in mind, as you would with anywhere else. Chattanooga, TN, USA
- Newport
Brian Stansberry - Wikipedia With a 1 in 13 chance of being the victim of theft, sweet little Newport comes in fourth in our ranking. Newport, TN 37821, USA
- Covington
thomas-r-machnitzki - Wikipedia The town of Covington saw a 93% raise in crime from 2011 to 2013, and unfortunately that’s about par for the city course here. There were 130 violent crimes and 451 property crimes over 2020, but thankfully, none of those violent crimes were murders. Covington, TN, USA
- Athens
Brian Stansberry - Wikipedia Athens has been doing a good job with their decrease in crime in recent years, however, it’s with their 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of property crime that may prove to be a bit problematic. Athens, TN 37303, USA
- Savannah
Ken Lund/Flickr Savannah hits #7 this year, which is one spot down from its place last year, but still not ideal. There were 938 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2020. Yikes! Savannah, TN 38372, USA
- Cleveland
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Cleveland? Yeeeeeah - unfortunately. We love it, too. Sadly, it may be the influx of tourists that cause it to be the eighth most dangerous city in Tennessee. Cleveland, TN, USA
- Millington
USMC Archives/Flickr Millington is a part of Memphis metro, and its unfortunately the ninth most dangerous. Although you’re only looking at the 64th highest murder rate (which isn’t terrible), property crimes clock in as king with the third highest burglary rate in the whole state. Millington, TN 38053, USA
- Union City
Brent Moore/Flickr Man, it’s hard to put Union City on here. They’re technically numero TEN on our list, but with a crime rate that’s steadily dropping year to year, it’s not likely to remain on the list for long. Union City, TN 38261, USA
No information was fabricated or subjective, but rather a result of FBI cumulative crime data gathered by our friends at RoadSnacks. If you’re curious about how they reached these numbers, check them out to learn more.
Thomas R Machnitzki - Wikipedia
You may have thought Memphis would top this list, and this time you were right. The city is #1 for its 1 in 42 chance of being the victim of a property crime. If we were ranking this solely on the chance of violent crimes instead, it would still be #1, and it’s worth mentioning that the violent crime rate here is 400% higher than the national average. Oof.
Memphis, TN, USA
gamblin-monkey- Wikipedia
You’re looking at a place with the fifth highest overall violent crime rate and second most dangerous property crime rate, which is a little too high for our liking for a place with a population under 17,000.
Dyersburg, TN 38024, USA
Imilious - Wikipedia
There were 182 rapes and 33 murders in 2020 in Chattanooga, and it makes us sad. We love this sweet little river city! And don’t get us wrong - it’s still worth visiting! Just keep safety in mind, as you would with anywhere else.
Chattanooga, TN, USA
Brian Stansberry - Wikipedia
With a 1 in 13 chance of being the victim of theft, sweet little Newport comes in fourth in our ranking.
Newport, TN 37821, USA
thomas-r-machnitzki - Wikipedia
The town of Covington saw a 93% raise in crime from 2011 to 2013, and unfortunately that’s about par for the city course here. There were 130 violent crimes and 451 property crimes over 2020, but thankfully, none of those violent crimes were murders.
Covington, TN, USA
Brian Stansberry - Wikipedia
Athens has been doing a good job with their decrease in crime in recent years, however, it’s with their 1 in 17 chance of being a victim of property crime that may prove to be a bit problematic.
Athens, TN 37303, USA
Ken Lund/Flickr
Savannah hits #7 this year, which is one spot down from its place last year, but still not ideal. There were 938 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2020. Yikes!
Savannah, TN 38372, USA
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Cleveland? Yeeeeeah - unfortunately. We love it, too. Sadly, it may be the influx of tourists that cause it to be the eighth most dangerous city in Tennessee.
Cleveland, TN, USA
USMC Archives/Flickr
Millington is a part of Memphis metro, and its unfortunately the ninth most dangerous. Although you’re only looking at the 64th highest murder rate (which isn’t terrible), property crimes clock in as king with the third highest burglary rate in the whole state.
Millington, TN 38053, USA
Brent Moore/Flickr
Man, it’s hard to put Union City on here. They’re technically numero TEN on our list, but with a crime rate that’s steadily dropping year to year, it’s not likely to remain on the list for long.
Union City, TN 38261, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Places in Tennessee August 06, 2022 Tori Jane What are the most dangerous towns in Tennessee? Tennessee is a really beautiful state, no doubt, but that does not mean it’s without its bad parts of town. Of course, statistics can be misleading, and simply because a place appears on “most dangerous” lists shouldn’t be a reason to avoid it altogether. That being said, at the time of this writing, the most dangerous towns in Tennessee (with less than 10,000 residents) include Newport, where you have a 1 in 13 chance of having things stolen from you, Covington, which has both high property crime rates and high violent crime rates, and Savannah, which ranks #8 overall in terms of crime. Where are some dangerous places to avoid in Tennessee? Let’s take a moment to appreciate the wonders of our state. There are some truly awe-inspiring state parks in Tennessee, and the #1 National Park in Tennessee happens to be the #1 National Park in the entire United States (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Of course, these parks can be dangerous under the right (or should we say wrong?) conditions; weather can change rapidly, and frigid temperatures aren’t uncommon. Other risks include falls from high places, drowning, and more. That being said, there aren’t any parts of Tennessee you should avoid outright; simply visit during the day or, alternatively, take extra precautions to remain safe. It’s important to mention that when it comes to overall crime rates, Tennessee ranks as the fifth most dangerous state in the country, but still – you are relatively safe in most places here nevertheless. What are the most dangerous cities in Tennessee? We talked about the most dangerous towns in Tennessee above, so how about the most dangerous cities in Tennessee (with populations of 15,000+ residents)? At the time of this writing, the most dangerous cities in Tennessee include Memphis (which is unsurprising as it’s the largest city in the state and by default will have more crime), Dyersburg, Chattanooga, Athens, and Cleveland.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Places in Tennessee
August 06, 2022
Tori Jane
What are the most dangerous towns in Tennessee? Tennessee is a really beautiful state, no doubt, but that does not mean it’s without its bad parts of town. Of course, statistics can be misleading, and simply because a place appears on “most dangerous” lists shouldn’t be a reason to avoid it altogether. That being said, at the time of this writing, the most dangerous towns in Tennessee (with less than 10,000 residents) include Newport, where you have a 1 in 13 chance of having things stolen from you, Covington, which has both high property crime rates and high violent crime rates, and Savannah, which ranks #8 overall in terms of crime. Where are some dangerous places to avoid in Tennessee? Let’s take a moment to appreciate the wonders of our state. There are some truly awe-inspiring state parks in Tennessee, and the #1 National Park in Tennessee happens to be the #1 National Park in the entire United States (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Of course, these parks can be dangerous under the right (or should we say wrong?) conditions; weather can change rapidly, and frigid temperatures aren’t uncommon. Other risks include falls from high places, drowning, and more. That being said, there aren’t any parts of Tennessee you should avoid outright; simply visit during the day or, alternatively, take extra precautions to remain safe. It’s important to mention that when it comes to overall crime rates, Tennessee ranks as the fifth most dangerous state in the country, but still – you are relatively safe in most places here nevertheless. What are the most dangerous cities in Tennessee? We talked about the most dangerous towns in Tennessee above, so how about the most dangerous cities in Tennessee (with populations of 15,000+ residents)? At the time of this writing, the most dangerous cities in Tennessee include Memphis (which is unsurprising as it’s the largest city in the state and by default will have more crime), Dyersburg, Chattanooga, Athens, and Cleveland.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Tennessee is a really beautiful state, no doubt, but that does not mean it’s without its bad parts of town. Of course, statistics can be misleading, and simply because a place appears on “most dangerous” lists shouldn’t be a reason to avoid it altogether. That being said, at the time of this writing, the most dangerous towns in Tennessee (with less than 10,000 residents) include Newport, where you have a 1 in 13 chance of having things stolen from you, Covington, which has both high property crime rates and high violent crime rates, and Savannah, which ranks #8 overall in terms of crime.
Where are some dangerous places to avoid in Tennessee?
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the wonders of our state. There are some truly awe-inspiring state parks in Tennessee, and the #1 National Park in Tennessee happens to be the #1 National Park in the entire United States (Great Smoky Mountains National Park). Of course, these parks can be dangerous under the right (or should we say wrong?) conditions; weather can change rapidly, and frigid temperatures aren’t uncommon. Other risks include falls from high places, drowning, and more. That being said, there aren’t any parts of Tennessee you should avoid outright; simply visit during the day or, alternatively, take extra precautions to remain safe. It’s important to mention that when it comes to overall crime rates, Tennessee ranks as the fifth most dangerous state in the country, but still – you are relatively safe in most places here nevertheless.
What are the most dangerous cities in Tennessee?
We talked about the most dangerous towns in Tennessee above, so how about the most dangerous cities in Tennessee (with populations of 15,000+ residents)? At the time of this writing, the most dangerous cities in Tennessee include Memphis (which is unsurprising as it’s the largest city in the state and by default will have more crime), Dyersburg, Chattanooga, Athens, and Cleveland.
