What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee? That’s a big question to ask if you’re thinking about moving to Nashville. The Music City is famous for its rich history, universities, and nightlife. The Nashville crime rate has also earned a reputation.
If you’re concerned about safety, you may be worried about the high Nashville crime rate. Nashville recently ranked #4 among Tennessee cities for crime rates per capita. The crime rate in Nashville TN has shown mixed trends in recent years. Gun violence continues to be a significant concern for the crime rate in Nashville TN, despite the overall decline in violent offenses.
While this is definitely concerning, it’s crucial to remember that the crime rate in Nashville, TN doesn’t make Nashville dangerous. Most Nashville crime and homicides are in a few areas with many safe places to live.
Stay informed on Nashville’s crime trends to understand the broader safety situation. Here’s everything to know about crime in Nashville, including crime reports, crime maps, and statistics.
Table of Contents
Understanding the Nashville Crime Rate – How Crime Rates Are Calculated
Before you can read about the Nashville crime rate, you should learn more about how police departments calculate crime statistics. Many people use FBI crime data in order to determine the Nashville crime rate, or the crime rate for any other city. The FBI collects data from local law enforcement agencies every year, including data on violent and property crime. However, many agencies fail to report their statistics to the FBI.
In 2022, just 69% of Tennessee law enforcement agencies reported their TN crime statistics, including agencies for cities near Nashville. Over 6,000 law enforcement agencies failed to report their statistics in 2021, including major cities like New York and Los Angeles.
A number of agencies only give partial reports to the FBI. 24% of law enforcement agencies in 2022 gave less than 12 months of crime data to the FBI, including many Tennessee agencies. Even agencies that gave reports with 12 months of crime data don’t provide all the information. A 2019 study found that victims do not report (to law enforcement) over half of violent crimes that result in injury.
You should also consider these factors whenever you’re looking at FBI crime data for the crime rate in Nashville TN:
- Each city has unique factors that affect its crime rate, so comparisons between two cities don’t always capture the whole story.
- Each police department defines crimes differently. Larceny can be the theft of items totaling less than $50, less than $100, or another figure depending on which police department you’re looking at.
- The Nashville crime rate is for the entire city of Nashville. Crime may spike in one neighborhood, bringing the overall crime rate up, even if other neighborhoods are becoming safer. You should always look at individual precincts, including the Midtown Hills precinct and the South precinct.
- The Nashville crime rate deserves context. The crime rate in one year may be high, but the crimes committed may be lower than in previous years. The overall crime rate can decline while specific crimes like aggravated assault increase.
- Most crimes are not random offenses. Domestic violence is the most common form of violent crime in America, affecting 10 million Americans every year.
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What Is the Nashville Crime Rate?
What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee? The crime rate in Nashville is:
- 4,927 total crimes per 100,000 people
- 1,102 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 3,825 property crimes per 100,000 people
You have a 1 in 91 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Nashville TN. You have a 1 in 27 chance of becoming a victim of property crime in Nashville.
Here’s how Nashville crime compares to the Tennessee crime rate:
- 2,924 total crimes per 100,000 people
- 622 violent crimes per 100,000 people
- 2,302 property crimes per 100,000 people
By comparison, the national crime rate is 2,324 total crimes per 100,000 people with 370 violent crimes and 1,954 property crimes per 100,000 people.
Nashville Crime Map & Crime Statistics
What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee neighborhoods and precincts? A good way to understand your risk of crime and find the safest neighborhoods in Nashville is to use a crime map. The Nashville Police Department has partnered with CrimeMapping.com to provide an interactive Nashville crime map. You can sign up for crime alerts, find crime hot spots, explore offenses by neighborhood, and more.
You can also view Nashville crime reports through the MNPD Data Dashboard. This dashboard includes interactive maps of gunshot injuries, gun-related offenses by precinct, and more.
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Nashville Violent Crime Rate
What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee for violent offenses? The violent crime rate in Nashville, TN is 1,102 violent crimes per 100,000 people. According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, there were 8,583 violent crimes reported in 2021 including:
- 6,309 aggravated assaults
- 1,643 robberies
- 529 rapes
- 102 murders and non-negligent homicides
You have a 1 in 91 chance of being the victim of violent crime. The Nashville murder rate was 14.8 murders per 100,000 people in 2021 compared to the national homicide rate of 8.2 per 100,000. In 2020, the Nashville homicide rate was up to 16.5 murders per 100,000 people.
Here are Nashville murder statistics by year:
- Nashville murders (2021): 102
- Nashville murders (2020): 114
- Nashville murders (2019): 84
Nashville violence reached an all-time high in 2020, but the city wasn’t alone. Most cities in America experienced a sharp rise in crime during the COVID-19 pandemic and 2020 lockdowns. The Tennessee crime rate also rose in 2020. Nashville was one of 9 major cities to set an all-time homicide record. The number of murders rose by almost 36% from 2019 to 2020. The national homicide rate in 2020 hit 6.5 murders per 100,000.
Violent crime in Nashville rose 4.07% from 2020 to 2021. However, homicide rates fell by 10.5, and robbery rates fell by 8.6%. Rape rates increased by 10.7% and assault rates rose by 7.8%.
According to the Nashville Police Department, robberies and sexual assaults decreased, bringing the Nashville TN crime rate down. In fact, the rate of rape and robbery in Nashville reached an almost 50-year low during 2020.
You can see a breakdown of violent crime statistics for 2019 and 2020.
Nashville Property Crime Rate
What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee for property offenses? The property crime rate in Nashville, TN is 3,825 property crimes per 100,000 people. This included the following property crimes in 2021:
- 25,719 total property crimes
- 19,436 larcenies
- 2,998 auto thefts
- 3,285 burglaries
You have a 1 in 27 chance of being the victim of property crime. The Nashville crime rate for property crimes decreased by 10.5% between 2020 and 2021.
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Bad Parts of Nashville
There are many ways to define a “bad” neighborhood in terms of the Nashville TN crime rate. It’s important to remember that even a high crime rate does not necessarily mean a neighborhood is unsafe. Tourist areas and areas with a lot of nightlife may have a very high crime rate. However, crime may be easy to avoid with certain precautions. Some areas may seem to have a high crime rate because they have a high temporary population. The crime rate is per 100,000 people, but the actual number of crimes may be low.
One of the biggest threats you will face is Nashville gangs, which are usually local neighborhood gangs. However, there are some Nashville, TN gangs with national ties. An estimated 2,000 people have gang affiliations in Davidson County. In November 2024, the Nashville Police Department warned the public about Tren de Aragua, a gang establishing roots in Nashville.
If you’re concerned about the crime rate in Nashville, you’ll find that most violent crime happens in Central Nashville and South Nashville. These areas have the highest crime rates in Nashville. Here’s a look at the worst neighborhoods in Nashville for crime examined in a few ways.
Crime in Nashville by Precinct
What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee precincts? Below, you can see an interactive map of fatal and nonfatal gunshot injuries in the city. When you view gun violence by precinct, most fatal and nonfatal shootings occur in the following precincts:
- North Precinct: 11 fatal, 81 nonfatal shootings in 2024
- South Precinct: 29 fatal, 97 nonfatal shootings in 2024
- Hermitage Precinct: 21 fatal, 53 nonfatal shootings in 2021
- East Precinct: 9 fatal, 38 nonfatal shootings in 2021
You can also view an interactive Nashville crime map by offense type and precinct. Here is how crime broke down by precinct in 2021.
- North Precinct: 11 homicides and 846 aggravated assaults
- South Precinct: 29 homicides and 1,454 aggravated assaults
- Hermitage Precinct: 19 homicides and 987 aggravated assaults
- Midtown Hills Precinct: 7 homicides and 478 aggravated assaults
- East Precinct: 6 homicides and 572 aggravated assaults
- Madison Precinct: 7 homicides and 595 aggravated assaults
- West Precinct: 5 homicides and 324 aggravated assaults
- Central Precinct: 1 homicide and 462 aggravated assaults
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High Crime Neighborhoods in Nashville
What is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee neighborhoods? The following areas to avoid in Nashville have the highest crime rates. However, keep in mind that many of these neighborhoods are actually quite safe if you are aware of your surroundings.
- West Meade (pop. 9,792) is the most dangerous neighborhood in Nashville. It has a crime rate 303% higher than the Nashville crime rate. It has a crime rate of 4,438 offenses per 100,000 people.
- Salemtown (pop. 882) is in North Nashville just north of Germantown in the Capitol District. Its crime rate is 263% higher than the Nashville crime rate. There is a Salemtown Neighborhood Association dedicated to improving safety.
- Greenwood (pop. 1,487) has a crime rate of 14,527 offenses per 100,000 people. That’s five times higher than the national average.
- Heron Walk (pop. 11,949) has 3,793 violent crimes per 100,000 people, with 244% more crime than the city average.
- Glencliff (pop. 6,569) in South Nashville has 3,733 violent crimes per 100,000 people.
Safest Neighborhoods in Nashville
Now that you understand the Nashville crime rate, what are the best areas in Nashville with low crime?
As a general rule, North Nashville is the most dangerous area, while West Nashville and Southwest Nashville are the safest. East Nashville crime has dropped significantly and many neighborhoods in the area are now very safe.
The following are some of the safest neighborhoods in Nashville with 55% to 90% less crime than the Nashville crime rate. Many of these neighborhoods are also the best neighborhoods in Nashville, in addition to having a low crime index.
- Poplar Creek Estates (pop. 816) is a quiet neighborhood in southwest Nashville popular with outdoor enthusiasts and families. It’s the safest neighborhood in Nashville, with a crime rate 89% lower than the Nashville crime rate. It’s near the Bellevue YMCA and over 3,100 acres of Percy and Edwin Warner Parks.
- Edmondson-Cloverland (pop. 2,497) is a residential area of southeast Nashville east of I-65 off Cloverland Drive. Its crime rate is 88% lower than the Nashville crime rate.
- West Meade Park (pop. 186) is a quiet residential area well known for its architecture and scenic natural attractions. Its crime rate is 61% lower than the Nashville crime rate.
- Germantown (pop. 782) is a popular neighborhood in Metro Nashville for its top restaurants, clubs, and things to do. The Germantown crime rate is 60% lower than the Nashville crime rate.
- East End (pop. 664) is a compact and cozy neighborhood in East Nashville. Its crime rate is 60% lower than the Nashville crime rate, including motor vehicle theft.
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Nashville Safety Tips – How to Avoid Crime in Nashville
- Be aware of your surroundings, especially at night or in tourist areas.
- Reduce your risk of burglary by investing in exterior lights. Keep exterior doors locked with a deadbolt, lock windows, and use a bar to lock sliding doors.
- Car theft and theft from vehicles is a common problem with the Nashville crime rate. Reduce the risk by never leaving valuables in your car, locking your car, and parking in a well-lit, secure area.
- Vanderbilt University is close to many high-crime areas of the city. Campus security and safety is handled by the Vanderbilt University Police Department. There are 100+ emergency phones throughout the campus. The campus police offer the Vandy Vans escort system to provide a van escort to designated campus locations. You can also enjoy a walking escort service during nighttime hours.
Nashville Police Department
- Chief of Police: John Drake
- Officers: 1,757 sworn officers
- Non-emergency number: (615) 862-8600
- Address: Metro Nashville Police Department Headquarters, 600 Murfreesboro Pike, Nashville, TN 37210
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department provides law enforcement for Metro Nashville and Davidson County, with a jurisdiction covering 526 square miles. While residents established the Nashville Police Department in 1806, the city created the modern Metro Nashville Police Department in 1963.
The MNPD responds to over 950,000 calls each year with eight precincts. Each precinct has its own commanders and control over separate resources to address different Nashville crime rate trends and concerns.
The Nashville Metro Police Department has participated in Operation Safer Streets for more than 15 years. It has added a specialized gang unit to address the growing problem of Nashville gangs like the Bloods and Crips.
In 2020, the department began new “power shifts” during peak violent crime hours, with more officers working 10.5-hour shifts. To address violent crime, Chief John Drake also implemented a centralized Homicide Unit and six groups of TITANS (The Investigative Team Addressing Neighborhood Shootings).
Are you comfortable with the Nashville Police Department and the Nashville crime rate? Call 615-434-8272 for a free estimate today!
Nashville Crime Rate FAQ
What Is the Crime Rate in Nashville Tennessee?
The overall crime rate in Nashville Tennessee is 4,927 offenses per 100,000 people.
Is Nashville Safe?
Yes, Nashville is a safe community to live in. While the Nashville crime rate may seem high, it’s trending downward. Many neighborhoods like Germantown and Poplar Creek Estates have lower crime rates than the national average.
Is East Nashville Safe?
Yes, East Nashville is one of the safest areas of Nashville and one of the most desirable. In addition to low East Nashville crime, the area is known for its boutique shops and sense of community.
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Is North Nashville Safe?
North Nashville has the highest crime rate in Nashville, particularly for violent crime. However, you should remember that most crimes in North Nashville happen among people who know each other. Many people living in North Nashville never experience crime.
Is Downtown Nashville Safe?
Yes, Downtown Nashville is safe. The Central Police District covering downtown Nashville has the lowest number of violent crimes in the city. As a nightlife and entertainment hub, it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings in downtown Nashville. Take steps to reduce your risk of robbery, pickpocketing, and assault.
Why Is Nashville So Dangerous?
Nashville isn’t necessarily dangerous. Many people living in Nashville never experience crime, let alone serious or violent crime.
What to Know About the Nashville Crime Rate
So what is the crime rate in Nashville Tennessee? The Nashville crime rate can seem high, but you need context. Many neighborhoods have lower crime rates than the national average, and the Nashville Police Department patrols the streets regularly. If you follow basic safety measures, you can avoid experiencing crime in Nashville.
Are you ready to relocate to the city? After you have settled on a safe neighborhood to call home, give the best Nashville movers a call to discuss your upcoming transition. Call 615-434-8272 to request a free moving quote!
