Study: Safest Cities in Tennessee 2016

Tennessee is more than just great music, world famous whiskey and delicious barbecue. The Volunteer State is filled to the brim with cities that offer a safe place to launch a career, start a business, raise children, or explore new hobbies in retirement.

Safest Cities in Tennessee 2016 © CreditDonkey

According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the number of criminal offenses reported to law enforcement decreased by 5% between 2014 and 2015, with a total of approximately 342,000 arrests made last year.

If you’re curious about which cities offer you the best odds for avoiding crime, CreditDonkey’s got just what you’re looking for. We’ve ranked the 50 safest cities in Tennessee. So if you make your home here or you will soon, dive in with us to see which locales made the list.

Study Methodology

We used the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report data for 2014 to help formulate our rankings. Our study is based violent and property crime report information for Tennessee cities with a population of at least 5,000.

Violent crime is defined as:

• Murder
  
• Rape
  
• Robbery
  
• Aggravated assault

Property crime is defined as:

• Burglary
  
• Larceny
  
• Motor vehicle theft
  
• Arson

Each city was assigned a CreditDonkey Safety Score, using the number of violent and property crimes per 1,000 inhabitants as well as the number of robberies and burglaries per 1,000 inhabitants. We gave special attention to these two crimes since they tend to occur more often and are likely to be something residents are concerned about.

Our final rankings reflect the 50 cities that received the best safety scores overall. They’re ranked here, starting with the Tennessee city that earned the distinction of being the safest.

Safest Cities 2016: Rankings

1. Signal Mountain

• Violent crime per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 6.9
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 2.5

The Chattanooga suburb of Signal Mountain is a beacon for newcomers and long-time Tennesseans who like their hometown to be safe. One aggravated assault represents the sum total of violent crimes reported in 2014, while property crimes numbered 59 that year.

2. Brentwood

• Violent crime per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 8.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.7
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 2.8

Brentwood is another suburban city where peace and quiet reigns. This super-wealthy community is less than a dozen miles from Nashville, which makes an appearance in our rankings later on. At least in one regard, Brentwood outshines Music City U.S.A. in terms of how rare crime is in the city.

3. Oakland

• Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 9.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.1

Oakland has seen its population grow tremendously in recent years, although it’s still fairly small at more than 7,000 people. They are squeezed into 3.6 square miles and are keeping their distance—at least when it comes to keeping the peace. Oakland gets to boast a mere six violent crimes for all of 2014, including two burglaries.

4. Spring Hill

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.1
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 10.1
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.4
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.2

Over 33,000 people abide in the city of Spring Hill, which is a blend of commerce, rich history, and country living at its finest. As a means of preventing crime, the Spring Hill Police Department encourages residents to join the Citizens Police Academy to learn more about what officers do.

5. Nolensville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.3
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 9.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.1
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.2

Nolensville serves up plenty of tradition and modern amenities, sprinkled with small-town flavor. It was one of only a few cities in our rankings that managed to finish up 2014 with zero robbery reports. Burglaries were also uncommon here, totaling 13 in all.

6. Germantown

• Violent crime per 1,000: 0.8
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 11.1
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.6
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.4

Memphis is famous for Beale Street and Graceland, but the suburb of Germantown is one of its best-kept secrets. This upscale community of close to 40,000 people experienced zero murders or rapes in 2014, evidence of how effective its police force is at deterring crime.

7. Atoka

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 10.2
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.4
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.5

Atoka’s the place to be if beautiful parks and great schools are on your list of must-haves in a home base. The Atoka Police Department, with an assist from a K-9 officer named Jack, patrol the city 24/7 to ensure that residents are staying safe at home, work and play.

8. Loudon

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.0
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 12.4
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 0.9
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.6

The town of Loudon is proud of its past while remaining focused on the future, and that’s the motto it lives by. If you’re community-minded and you’re looking for a place to settle down in the Knoxville area that rates highly on the safety scale, Loudon fits the bill.

9. Mount Carmel

• Violent crime per 1,000: 4.0
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 8.2
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.6
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.8

Mount Carmel is part of the larger metro area that includes Kingsport and Bristol, but it’s not overshadowed by its busier neighbors where safety is concerned. Two robberies and 14 burglaries were reported in 2014, accounting for less than a quarter of the 67 crimes reported overall.

10. Fairview

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 10.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.2
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 3.9

Progress and prosperity are two of the core values upheld in the city of Fairview, which manages to be both a desirable and affordable location. At around 30 miles from downtown Nashville, it’s an excellent spot for professionals who want to come home to someplace safe after their commute is over.

11. Franklin

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.4
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 14.0
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 4.2

Over 70,000 people live in Franklin, which is a short drive south of Nashville. In a city this size, it takes a skilled and professional police department to keep crime from getting out of hand. The Franklin P.D.’s officers strive to provide quality service while enhancing public safety.

12. Hendersonville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.8
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 13.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.9
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 4.4

Hendersonville is “The City by the Lake,” and it’s a big hit with residents who moved here for the gorgeous views and fun activities around Old Hickory Lake. Another selling point is being able to sleep soundly at night, knowing that crime is rare is here. Fewer than 100 violent crimes were reported in 2014, despite the population approaching 55,000. Only four of those crimes were robberies.

13. Jonesborough

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 13.1
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.3
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 4.5

Billed as “Tennessee’s Oldest Town,” Jonesborough embodies many of the things you’d expect in a small town, including close-knit neighborhoods, friendly people and lots of hospitality. While it overflows with these things and more, it’s remarkably short on crime.

14. Gallatin

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.2
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 14.2
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 4.8

Nestled in the countryside about 30 miles northeast of Nashville, Gallatin is a lively city where there’s always more than meets the eye. It attracts a steady stream of new residents who come in search of high-paying jobs, lower taxes, a variety of recreational opportunities, and low crime.

15. Millersville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.9
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 12.4
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 4.9

Though it’s close to Nashville, Millersville is a world apart, offering an intimate setting for the 6,600 people who live here. The Millersville Police Department has made protecting and serving citizens its number one mission. The crime rate demonstrates its effectiveness.

16. Collierville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.5
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 16.3
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 4.9

Collierville is another Memphis suburb that’s emerged as one of the area’s most desirable places to live. Aside from shopping, restaurants and a thriving economy, its reputation for safety is one of the city’s most prominent selling points for new arrivals.

17. Erwin

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 15.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 5.0

The city of Erwin is well-suited to people who love spending time in the great outdoors and want to do so in safety. The Cherokee National Forest surrounds the area, providing views dominated by rolling mountains and lush greenery.

18. Church Hill

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.9
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 16.8
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 1.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 5.3

Church Hill features several historic landmarks that could win over history buffs, but the low incidence of crime is one of the main reasons to settle down here. The crime rate for 2014 reflected just a single robbery and 10 burglaries in 2014.

19. Greenbrier

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 14.6
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.3
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 5.4

Residents of Greenbrier believe in coming together, and they do that through events like the annual “Turning of the Pig” festival. They also have an opportunity to connect with one another and with the police officers who serve them through the city’s annual Public Safety Day.

20. Bartlett

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 17.0
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 5.7

Bartlett’s population has climbed to almost 60,000 people over the years, and it shows no signs of slowing down any time soon. To keep all of them as safe as possible, the Bartlett Police Department relies on community policing techniques to detect and deter crime.

21. Mount Juliet

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.1
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 18.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.0
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 5.7

Mount Juliet has become something of a hotspot for homebuyers who want to settle in the Nashville area without living in the city itself. It helps that in addition to being highly affordable, Mount Juliet is also exceptionally safe in both the violent and property crime categories.

22. White House

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.9
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 20.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.3
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 6.2

Despite its growth, White House manages to retain a small-town atmosphere and serve as a safe haven for anyone wanting to settle down in Tennessee. It stands out for having zero murders and zero robberies reported in 2014, and only 21 violent crimes altogether.

23. Collegedale

• Violent crime per 1,000: 0.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 20.4
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 6.3

If it isn’t obvious from the name, Collegedale is a college town, serving as the home of Southern Adventist University. “Justice, Safety and Efficiency” is the motto here and the Collegedale Police Department strives to embody all three. From the town’s decent crime rate, it’s clear the police force is acting as advertised.

24. Kingston

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 16.3
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 4.4
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 6.7

Kingston is a quaint, unassuming town of approximately 5,800 people, situated at the joining of three Tennessee rivers. It’s the kind of place where you can go with the flow without worrying excessively about crime.

25. Martin

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 21.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.3
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 6.9

Martin is another college town, with the University of Tennessee-Martin campus located here. While each new semester sees a swell in the city’s population, the crime rate remains on an even keel, much to the relief of full-time residents.

26. La Vergne

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.0
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.8
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 17.2
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 4.7
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 6.9

The citizens of La Vergne can sleep soundly at night knowing their police force takes reducing crime seriously. The department sponsors safety awareness programs and training, like the Women’s Awareness Response class, which teaches self-defense maneuvers, and encourages citizens to be helpfully alert.

27. Maryville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 1.4
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 23.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.7
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 7.0

More than 28,000 people make up this mountain community at the foothills of the Great Smokey Mountains. Like other savvy police forces on our list, the officers who are sworn to protect and serve in Maryville make a point of educating residents about crime prevention. They start early, visiting schools and spreading the word about gun safety and “stranger danger.”

28. Munford

• Violent crime per 1,000: 4.1
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 21.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.0
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 7.2

Munford gets high marks for affordability, and it’s also popular for people who prefer a suburban landscape but want to be close to Memphis. The city’s low crime rate emphasizes how highly livable Munford is for people of all ages.

29. Smyrna

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.1
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 25.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 2.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 7.9

The Smyrna Police Department likes to be involved with the people who are under their jurisdiction, and they’ve been successful in getting the community to play along. Residents can get to know officers via the Citizens Police Academy or the city’s National Night Out Against Crime event.

30. Henderson

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.5
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 21.8
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.9
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 8.2

Henderson is a cozy town of about 6,500 people, including a number of families that find it to be a safe place for kids to grow up. For 2014, Henderson had zero murders or rapes reported and three robbery reports. We can sleep easy in a community with those figures.

31. Soddy-Daisy

• Violent crime per 1,000: 2.3
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.1
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 26.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 4.1
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 8.3

As an emerging bedroom community of Chattanooga, Soddy-Daisy merges the best of rural and urban living. This city is full of character and so are its residents, something that’s borne out by the infrequency of crime.

32. Portland

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.9
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 27.3
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.0
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 9.9

Life is sweet in Portland and not just because it’s the strawberry capital of Tennessee. The 12,000 people who live here are able to relax knowing that their tranquil city is one of the state’s most secure.

33. Shelbyville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 6.4
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 28.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 10.4

Shelbyville is called “The Pencil City” because of its manufacturing history, but it’s also renowned for being the Walking Horse Capital of the World, with a yearly celebration of the Tennessee walking horse breed. Those fancy titles aside, Shelbyville is first and foremost a safe place to hang your hat.

34. Clarksville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 6.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.7
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 29.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.7
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 10.9

Whether you’re a permanent resident or just visiting, Clarksville makes it easy to feel at home. With more than 144,000 citizens, it’s the second-largest city on our list. Keeping everyone safe is a challenge the Clarksville P.D. is prepared to meet.

35. Winchester

• Violent crime per 1,000: 6.2
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.6
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 32.8
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 4.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 11.0

Boating, bass fishing and shopping are favorite pastimes among Winchester’s residents as well as its visitors. Indoors or out, you can explore the city knowing that violent and property crime are not staples of everyday life.

36. Lebanon

• Violent crime per 1,000: 7.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 1.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 32.9
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 4.5
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 11.5

Lebanon has a solid economic base, headed by companies like Cracker Barrel, which was founded here in 1969. Besides job opportunities, Lebanon has safe streets and a police department that’s committed to excellence.

37. Murfreesboro

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.3
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 1.0
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 33.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.4
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 11.5

Located smack dab in the middle of Tennessee, Murfreesboro is one of the state’s fastest growing cities. More than 119,000 people reside in the area, where it’s the Murfreesboro Police Department’s duty to provide them with a safe place to call home.

38. Johnson City

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.6
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 36.1
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 5.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 11.6

Johnson City is Tennessee’s “Green City,” and you’ll be able to save lots of green, thanks to its low cost of living. Housing, transportation and utility costs are lower than what you’ll find in other cities in the region, as is the crime rate.

39. Bristol

• Violent crime per 1,000: 4.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 36.3
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 5.6
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 11.7

Bristol, Tennessee, shares its name with Bristol, Virginia, which lies right across the state line. Being the birthplace of country music and the home of Bristol Motor Speedway are its main claims to fame, but we think it’s a standout for being a safe haven for residents.

40. Clinton

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.0
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 36.4
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 4.9
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 11.7

Just under 10,000 people live in Clinton, where the city’s police department are laser-focused on ensuring that their lives are as crime-free as possible. Clinton reported 52 violent crimes and 361 property crimes in 2014, with four robberies included in the mix.

41. Columbia

• Violent crime per 1,000: 6.2
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 1.2
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 34.3
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.2
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 12.0

There’s something good around every corner in the city of Columbia, and the local police department does its best to make sure crime doesn’t spoil things. Neighborhood watch programs aid officers in their quest to reduce criminal activity in the city.

42. Goodlettsville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.5
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.9
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 40.9
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 3.8
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 12.3

Goodlettsville is a family-friendly city of over 17,000 people located about 15 miles from Nashville. Despite having a higher population, robbery reports were limited to 16 in 2014, and there were 64 burglaries registered on the property crime side.

43. McKenzie

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.7
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 34.9
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 10.1
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 12.3

Vacation home checks and nightly business checks are just some of the things the McKenzie Police Department offers to do to raise the safety meter. With three robberies and 57 burglaries reported in 2014, they seem to be doing a good job of keeping crime down.

44. Tullahoma

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 40.1
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 7.4
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 13.4

Tullahoma is Tennessee’s rising star, and it’s got a unique personality that’s difficult to duplicate. Between 2014 and 2015, the city’s crime rate declined by 12%, according to the police department, which makes it worthy of a spot in our rankings.

45. Dunlap

• Violent crime per 1,000: 3.5
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 40.9
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 9.2
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 13.5

Panoramic views of the Sequatchie Valley highlight the natural beauty of Dunlap, but there’s a lot more just waiting to be discovered. Vacationers head here from all around to see the sights while also finding time to relax in the safety and serenity Dunlap offers.

46. McMinnville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 9.4
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 36.0
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 9.0
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 13.7

McMinnville’s police department holds itself to the highest professional standards, and its members are always looking for ways to improve the quality of services they provide. The Citizens Police Academy is local residents’ chance to have an interactive law enforcement training experience.

47. Sevierville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.6
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.3
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 44.5
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 5.6
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 14.0

Sevierville wants to be “Your Hometown in the Smokies,” and it’s the ideal spot for anyone who likes to spend time hiking, fishing, canoeing or kayaking. When you’re done having fun outside, you can head home knowing that the Sevierville Police Department is keeping an eye out for suspicious goings-on in your neighborhood.

48. Greeneville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 5.5
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.5
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 43.7
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 6.7
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 14.1

The one-time home of President Andrew Johnson, Greeneville has an impressive history that locals can take pride in. They can also be proud of their city’s crime rate, which included a low eight robberies for 2014.

49. Cookeville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 4.0
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 0.6
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 44.9
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 7.6
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 14.3

Cookeville is the hub of the Upper Cumberland and thousands of people travel to the city each day to work, attend school or patronize local businesses. Cookeville’s police department, which includes a SWAT team, K-9 Unit and Crisis Negotiation Team, is standing at the ready to handle any situation that could disrupt the city’s daily flow.

50. Nashville

• Violent crime per 1,000: 11.2
  
• Robbery per 1,000: 2.4
  
• Property crime per 1,000: 36.3
  
• Burglary per 1,000: 7.3
  
• CreditDonkey safety score: 14.3

Tennessee’s capital city finishes up our list of the state’s safest places to be, a remarkable feat considering that its population exceeds 647,000. In a city that size, you’d expect crime to be more common, but Nashville’s police force works tirelessly to keep residents and visitors as safe as can be.

Bottom Line

If you’ve stayed with us to the end, we hope that you spotted your hometown in our rankings. To learn more about staying safe and protecting yourself against crime, take a peek at CreditDonkey’s essential tips for home security.

The Top 50 Safest Cities in Tennessee

Safest Cities in Tennessee 2016 © CreditDonkey