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D

Is Cookeville, Tennessee Safe?

Population 38,212 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Cookeville faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 84% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,801 per 100K.

Cookeville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricCookevilleTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate416.2334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2280.12062.11,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate245.0--268.2
Theft Rate1801.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate486.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

269.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

416/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2280/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Cookeville

Violent crime in Cookeville is close to the national average. The rate of 416.2 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2280.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,801 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Cookeville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault245
091% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery87
01.4x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary443
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,801
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft486
01.5x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Cookeville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cookeville
416.2
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Cookeville
2280.1
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Cookeville Safety

Is Cookeville safe?
Not especially. Cookeville earns a D with a crime rate of 269.6 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 Cookeville?
269.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 416.2 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2280.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Cookeville safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Cookeville's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,801 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Cookeville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Cookeville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Cookeville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Cookeville?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Cookeville's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Cookeville compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Cookeville ranks behind about 74% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Cookeville 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 Cookeville?
Bad. A D grade and 269.6 per-thousand rate put Cookeville below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 416 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Cookeville?
416.2 per 100,000, which is 14% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (245), robbery (87), and murder (8.0) 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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