Violent
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Cookeville, TN has a Safety Score of 42/100 — higher crime than 58% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,957.2 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,738 of 2,971 US cities and #29 of 59 in Tennessee.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Cookeville, Tennessee Safe?
Cookeville, Tennessee, home to Tennessee Tech University, sits on the Highland Rim. Its population of around 35,000 residents enjoys a vibrant community with historic downtown and numerous outdoor attractions.
Cookeville has a safety score of 42/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,957.2 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Cookeville ranks #29 out of 59 cities in Tennessee and #1738 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 42nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 58% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Cookeville is rape, at 56.4 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Cookeville's total crime rate decreased by 15%, with violent crime rising 25.4%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Cookeville Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 110 | 295.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 21 | 56.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 8.1 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 85 | 228.2 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 619 | 1,661.8 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 64 | 171.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 504 | 1,353.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 51 | 136.9 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Cookeville vs Tennessee Average
How does Cookeville's crime rate compare to the Tennessee state average?
| Metric | Cookeville | Tennessee Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 295.3 | 916.8 | -67.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,661.8 | 3,281.7 | -49.4% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 13.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,957.2 | 4,198.5 | -53.4% |
Cookeville Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Cookeville, Tennessee.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 37,248 | 1,957.2 | 295.3 | 1,661.8 |
| 2023 | 36,530 | 2,302.2 | 235.4 | 2,066.8 |
| 2022 | 35,771 | 3,114.3 | 338.3 | 2,776.0 |
| 2021 | 35,471 | 3,168.8 | 372.1 | 2,796.7 |
| 2020 | 35,119 | 3,203.4 | 267.7 | 2,935.7 |
| 2019 | 34,373 | 3,398.0 | 352.0 | 3,046.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cookeville, Tennessee safe?
Cookeville has a safety score of 42/100, meaning it has less crime than about 42% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,957.2 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Cookeville is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Cookeville, Tennessee?
According to FBI data for 2024, Cookeville has a violent crime rate of 295.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,661.8 per 100,000 residents.
How does Cookeville compare to the national average?
Cookeville's total crime rate of 1,957.2 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 37,248 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Cookeville?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Cookeville include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Cookeville safe to visit?
Like any city, Cookeville has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 42/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.