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Murder in Knoxville, Tennessee (2026)

6.5 per 100K · 14% above national avg · Grade C+

Updated October 2026 · Based on 2023 FBI UCR data

Quick Answer

Knoxville has a murder rate of 6.5 per 100K, which is 14% above the national average of 5.7. Grade: C+. Your odds of being affected: approximately 1 in 15,385 per year.

In 2026, the murder rate in Knoxville, Tennessee is 6.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 14% above the national average of 5.7. That puts Knoxville's murder close to the national average. Based on FBI UCR data.

Murder Rate: Knoxville vs State and National Averages

Knoxville
6.5
Tennessee Avg
6.9
National Avg
5.7

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

Your Odds: Murder in Knoxville

1 in 15,385

Approximate chance of being affected by murder in Knoxville in a given year, based on the rate of 6.5 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 Knoxville

C+
Violent Crime402.0/100K · 11% above avg
C+
Property Crime2174.9/100K · 19% above avg
B-
Assault258.7/100K · 4% below avg
C
Robbery94.3/100K · 49% above avg

Murder in Nearby Tennessee Cities

CityGradeRate
Chattanooga
C+
6.0
Clarksville
C+
6.3
Murfreesboro
C+
5.9
Franklin
C
8.0
Johnson City
C+
6.3
Jackson
C+
6.8

Frequently Asked Questions About Murder in Knoxville

How bad is murder in Knoxville?
As of 2026, Knoxville's murder rate of 6.5 per 100K is 14% above the national average. It ranks behind 55% of US cities for murder.
What is the murder rate in Knoxville?
As of 2026, 6.5 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 Knoxville?
Crime in Knoxville has trended upward recently, though specific murder trends may differ from the overall picture.
How does Knoxville's murder compare to Tennessee?
Knoxville's murder rate is higher than many Tennessee cities. The rate of 6.5 per 100K is close to the national average.
What are the odds of being a victim of murder in Knoxville?
Based on the rate of 6.5 per 100,000, approximately 1 in 15,385 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 Knoxville safe from murder?
Knoxville is about average for murder. The rate of 6.5 per 100K is close to the national average. Awareness and normal precautions go a long way.
Back to Knoxville 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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