Is Knoxville or Morristown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Morristown is safer than Knoxville (Safety Score 16/100 vs 13/100), with a total crime rate of 3,236 per 100,000 versus 3,462 for Knoxville — 7% lower. Knoxville has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Morristown has a 72% lower rate.
Note: Knoxville is 6.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Knoxville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Morristown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Knoxville, TN
Morristown, TN
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Knoxville | Morristown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,461.6 | 3,236.4 | +225.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 740.3 | 765.5 | -25.2 |
| Murder Rate | 11.0 | 3.1 | +7.9 |
| Rape Rate | 64.9 | 45.9 | +18.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 81.8 | 33.7 | +48.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 582.7 | 682.8 | -100.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,721.3 | 2,470.9 | +250.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 328.8 | 251.1 | +77.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,013.9 | 1,953.5 | +60.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 378.6 | 266.4 | +112.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Knoxville or Morristown safer?
Morristown is safer with a total crime rate of 3,236 per 100K vs 3,462 for Knoxville — a 7% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Knoxville has a violent crime rate of 740.3 per 100K while Morristown has 765.5. Knoxville has lower violent crime.
About Knoxville, TN
Knoxville, nestled in the Appalachian foothills, is a city of just under 200,000 residents. It boasts a rich musical heritage, notably as the birthplace of the Everly Brothers. The Tennessee River flows along its downtown, a reminder of its historical role in trade and industry. With a safety score of 13/100 and a population coverage of 200,457, Knoxville has a total crime rate of 3,461.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Morristown, TN
Morristown, Tennessee, a city in Hamblen County, sits in the picturesque Holston River Valley. Home to Carson-Newman University, a private liberal arts college, its population was around 30,000 in 2020. With a safety score of 16/100 and a population coverage of 32,660, Morristown has a total crime rate of 3,236.4 per 100,000 residents.