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D+

Is Chattanooga, Tennessee Safe?

Population 194,144 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Chattanooga earns a D+ safety grade with 249.2 crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime runs close to the national average, putting the city behind 78% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,283 per 100K.

Chattanooga Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricChattanoogaTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate378.7334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2113.42062.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate238.0--268.2
Theft Rate1283.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate403.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

249.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

379/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2113/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Chattanooga

Violent crime in Chattanooga is close to the national average. The rate of 378.7 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2113.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,283 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Chattanooga Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault238
089% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery58
092% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary245
091% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,283
092% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft403
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Chattanooga Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chattanooga
378.7
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Chattanooga
2113.4
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Chattanooga Safety

Is Chattanooga safe?
Not especially. Chattanooga earns a D+ with a crime rate of 249.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Chattanooga?
249.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 378.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2113.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Chattanooga safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Chattanooga's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,283 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chattanooga?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Chattanooga generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Chattanooga police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Chattanooga?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Chattanooga's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Chattanooga compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Chattanooga ranks behind about 76% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Chattanooga to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Chattanooga?
Bad. A D+ grade and 249.2 per-thousand rate put Chattanooga below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 379 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Chattanooga?
378.7 per 100,000, which is 4% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (238), robbery (58), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

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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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