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C

Is Oak Ridge, Tennessee Safe?

Population 35,395 · Safer than 34% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Oak Ridge is a smaller community of 35,395 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 216.4 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,563 per 100K.

Oak Ridge Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricOak RidgeTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate315.9334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate1848.32062.11,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate220.0--268.2
Theft Rate1563.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate404.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

216.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

316/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1848/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Oak Ridge

Violent crime in Oak Ridge is close to the national average. The rate of 315.9 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1848.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,563 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Oak Ridge Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault220
082% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery38
060% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary323
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,563
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft404
01.3x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Oak Ridge Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Oak Ridge
315.9
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Oak Ridge
1848.3
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Oak Ridge Safety

Is Oak Ridge safe?
Not especially. Oak Ridge earns a C with a crime rate of 216.4 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 Oak Ridge?
216.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 315.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1848.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Oak Ridge safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Oak Ridge's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,563 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Oak Ridge?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Oak Ridge generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Oak Ridge police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Oak Ridge?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Oak Ridge's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Oak Ridge compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Middle of the pack for Tennessee. Oak Ridge isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 44th percentile among Tennessee cities.
How safe is Oak Ridge to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Oak Ridge?
Bad. A C grade and 216.4 per-thousand rate put Oak Ridge below 66% of US cities. Violent crime at 316 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Oak Ridge?
315.9 per 100,000, which is 13% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (220), robbery (38), 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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