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D

Is Athens, Tennessee Safe?

Population 15,263 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Athens has a crime problem that shows up in the data. The D safety grade reflects a violent crime rate above the national average and an overall rate of 271.6 per 1,000 residents. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,462 per 100K.

Athens Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAthensTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate418.8334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2296.82062.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate325.0--268.2
Theft Rate1462.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate284.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

271.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

419/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2297/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Athens

Violent crime in Athens is above the national average. The rate of 418.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2296.8 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,462 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 325 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Athens Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault325
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery51
081% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary445
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,462
01.0x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft284
089% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Athens Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Athens
418.8
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Athens
2296.8
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Athens Safety

Is Athens safe?
Not especially. Athens earns a D with a crime rate of 271.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Athens?
271.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 418.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2296.8 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Athens safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Athens's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,462 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Athens?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Athens generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Athens police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Athens?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Athens's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Athens compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Athens ranks behind about 78% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Athens to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Athens?
Bad. A D grade and 271.6 per-thousand rate put Athens below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 419 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Athens?
418.8 per 100,000, which is 15% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (325), robbery (51), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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View all Tennessee city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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