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D

Is Lakeland, Tennessee Safe?

Population 14,422 · Safer than 17% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Lakeland runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 83% of US cities, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,556 per 100K.

Lakeland Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLakelandTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate383.8334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2285.72062.11,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate291.0--268.2
Theft Rate1556.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate375.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

266.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

384/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2286/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Lakeland

Violent crime in Lakeland is close to the national average. The rate of 383.8 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2285.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,556 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Lakeland Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault291
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery55
087% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary248
092% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,556
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft375
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Lakeland Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lakeland
383.8
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Lakeland
2285.7
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Lakeland Safety

Is Lakeland safe?
Not especially. Lakeland earns a D with a crime rate of 266.9 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 Lakeland?
266.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 383.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2285.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Lakeland safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Lakeland's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,556 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Lakeland?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Lakeland generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Lakeland police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Lakeland?
No. Crime in Lakeland has been trending down, which is good news for the D-rated city.
How does Lakeland compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Lakeland ranks behind about 88% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Lakeland to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Lakeland?
Bad. A D grade and 266.9 per-thousand rate put Lakeland below 83% of US cities. Violent crime at 384 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Lakeland?
383.8 per 100,000, which is 5% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (291), robbery (55), and murder (7.0) 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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