Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 200,457
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Knoxville, Tennessee Safe?
Knoxville has a safety score of 37/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 3,461.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Knoxville ranks #51 out of 59 cities in Tennessee and #2575 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 13th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 87% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Knoxville is murder, at 11.0 per 100K — 1.8x the national average.
Year over year, Knoxville's total crime rate decreased by 12.3%, with violent crime declining 9.4%.
Knoxville Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,484 | 740.3 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 22 | 11.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 130 | 64.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 164 | 81.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,168 | 582.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,455 | 2,721.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 659 | 328.8 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 4,037 | 2,013.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 759 | 378.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Knoxville vs Tennessee Average
How does Knoxville's crime rate compare to the Tennessee state average?
| Metric | Knoxville | Tennessee Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 916.8 | -19.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 3,281.7 | -17.1% |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 13.0 | -15.7% |
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 4,198.5 | -17.6% |
Knoxville Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Knoxville, Tennessee.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 200,457 | 3,461.6 | 740.3 | 2,721.3 |
| 2023 | 198,132 | 3,944.8 | 817.1 | 3,127.7 |
| 2022 | 194,724 | 4,758.5 | 844.8 | 3,913.7 |
| 2021 | 191,463 | 4,863.6 | 836.2 | 4,027.4 |
| 2020 | 188,672 | 5,060.6 | 815.7 | 4,244.9 |
| 2019 | 188,666 | 5,017.3 | 667.3 | 4,350.0 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville, Tennessee safe?
Knoxville has a safety score of 37/100. With a total crime rate of 3,461.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Knoxville is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Knoxville, Tennessee?
According to FBI data for 2024, Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,721.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Knoxville compare to the national average?
Knoxville's total crime rate of 3,461.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 200,457.
What types of crime are most common in Knoxville?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Knoxville include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Knoxville safe to visit?
Like any city, Knoxville has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 37/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.