Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Johnson City, TN has a Safety Score of 24/100 — higher crime than 76% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,707.4 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,258 of 2,971 US cities and #42 of 59 in Tennessee.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Johnson City, Tennessee Safe?
Nestled in the Appalachian Mountains, Johnson City is a regional hub with a vibrant downtown, home to East Tennessee State University. It's known for its role in the early country music scene.
Johnson City has a safety score of 24/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,707.4 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Johnson City ranks #42 out of 59 cities in Tennessee and #2258 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 24th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 76% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Johnson City is rape, at 75.6 per 100K — 1.7x the national average. Conversely, robbery is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Johnson City's total crime rate decreased by 15.5%, with violent crime rising 1.9%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Johnson City Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 300 | 404.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 4 | 5.4 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 56 | 75.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 25 | 33.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 213 | 287.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,706 | 2,302.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 151 | 203.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,426 | 1,924.6 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 129 | 174.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Johnson City vs Tennessee Average
How does Johnson City's crime rate compare to the Tennessee state average?
| Metric | Johnson City | Tennessee Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 404.9 | 916.8 | -55.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,302.5 | 3,281.7 | -29.8% |
| Murder Rate | 5.4 | 13.0 | -58.5% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,707.4 | 4,198.5 | -35.5% |
Johnson City Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Johnson City, Tennessee.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 74,093 | 2,707.4 | 404.9 | 2,302.5 |
| 2023 | 73,225 | 3,202.5 | 397.4 | 2,805.1 |
| 2022 | 71,987 | 3,789.6 | 379.2 | 3,410.3 |
| 2021 | 67,515 | 3,708.8 | 380.7 | 3,328.2 |
| 2020 | 67,293 | 4,493.8 | 441.4 | 4,052.4 |
| 2019 | 67,197 | 3,983.8 | 427.1 | 3,556.7 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnson City, Tennessee safe?
Johnson City has a safety score of 24/100, meaning it has less crime than about 24% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,707.4 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Johnson City is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Johnson City, Tennessee?
According to FBI data for 2024, Johnson City has a violent crime rate of 404.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,302.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does Johnson City compare to the national average?
Johnson City's total crime rate of 2,707.4 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 74,093 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Johnson City?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Johnson City include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Johnson City safe to visit?
Like any city, Johnson City has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 24/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.