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D

Is Cleveland, Tennessee Safe?

Population 51,172 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Cleveland faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 83% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,799 per 100K.

Cleveland Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricClevelandTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate414.4334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2232.92062.11,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate298.0--268.2
Theft Rate1799.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate270.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

264.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

414/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2233/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Cleveland

Violent crime in Cleveland is close to the national average. The rate of 414.4 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2232.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,799 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Cleveland Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault298
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery82
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary264
098% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,799
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft270
085% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Cleveland Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cleveland
414.4
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cleveland
2232.9
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cleveland Safety

Is Cleveland safe?
Not especially. Cleveland earns a D with a crime rate of 264.7 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 Cleveland?
264.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 414.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2232.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Cleveland safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Cleveland's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,799 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Cleveland?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Cleveland generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Cleveland police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Cleveland?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Cleveland's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Cleveland compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Cleveland ranks behind about 92% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Cleveland 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 Cleveland?
Bad. A D grade and 264.7 per-thousand rate put Cleveland below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 414 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Cleveland?
414.4 per 100,000, which is 14% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (298), robbery (82), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Tennessee

Similar-sized communities in Tennessee. Compare crime rates across the state.

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See crime rates in Collierville51,909 pop · Grade D+
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See crime rates in Columbia50,072 pop · Grade C
D
See crime rates in Lebanon53,412 pop · Grade D
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See crime rates in Gallatin54,590 pop · Grade D
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See crime rates in Bartlett56,416 pop · Grade D+
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See crime rates in Brentwood45,313 pop · Grade D
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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