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Murder in Athens, Tennessee (2026)

6.2 per 100K · 9% above national avg · Grade C+

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Quick Answer

Athens has a murder rate of 6.2 per 100K, which is 9% above the national average of 5.7. Grade: C+. Your odds of being affected: approximately 1 in 16,129 per year.

In 2026, the murder rate in Athens, Tennessee is 6.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 9% above the national average of 5.7. That puts Athens's murder close to the national average. Based on FBI UCR data.

Murder Rate: Athens vs State and National Averages

Athens
6.2
Tennessee Avg
6.9
National Avg
5.7

Rates per 100,000 residents. 2023 FBI UCR data.

Your Odds: Murder in Athens

1 in 16,129

Approximate chance of being affected by murder in Athens in a given year, based on the rate of 6.2 per 100,000 residents.

What Is Murder?

Murder and non-negligent manslaughter is the willful killing of one person by another. This does not include deaths caused by negligence, suicide, or justifiable homicide.

Other Crime Types in Athens

C+
Violent Crime456.0/100K · 25% above avg
C+
Property Crime2152.2/100K · 17% above avg
C
Assault373.0/100K · 39% above avg
B-
Robbery47.7/100K · 25% below avg

Murder in Nearby Tennessee Cities

CityGradeRate
Arlington
C+
6.9
Nolensville
C
8.5
Dyersburg
B-
4.1
Lakeland
C
7.8
Greeneville
C
7.8
Elizabethton
C
8.1

Frequently Asked Questions About Murder in Athens

How bad is murder in Athens?
As of 2026, Athens's murder rate of 6.2 per 100K is 9% above the national average. It ranks behind 53% of US cities for murder.
What is the murder rate in Athens?
As of 2026, 6.2 per 100,000 residents, based on the most recent FBI Uniform Crime Report data. The national average is 5.7 per 100K.
Is murder increasing in Athens?
Crime in Athens has trended upward recently, though specific murder trends may differ from the overall picture.
How does Athens's murder compare to Tennessee?
Athens's murder rate is higher than many Tennessee cities. The rate of 6.2 per 100K is close to the national average.
What are the odds of being a victim of murder in Athens?
Based on the rate of 6.2 per 100,000, approximately 1 in 16,129 residents could be affected by murder in a given year. This is a statistical estimate, not a prediction — actual risk varies by neighborhood and behavior.
Is Athens safe from murder?
Athens is about average for murder. The rate of 6.2 per 100K is close to the national average. Awareness and normal precautions go a long way.
Back to Athens safety overviewHow we calculate grades

2023 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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