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D+

Is Portland, Tennessee Safe?

Population 13,658 · Safer than 25% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Portland is a smaller community of 13,658 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 241.7 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,602 per 100K.

Portland Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricPortlandTennessee AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate344.6334.5363.8
Property Crime Rate2072.62062.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate252.0--268.2
Theft Rate1602.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate443.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

241.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

345/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD+

2073/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Portland

Violent crime in Portland is close to the national average. The rate of 344.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 2072.6 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,602 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Portland Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault252
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery54
085% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary240
089% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,602
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft443
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Portland Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Portland
344.6
State
334.5
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Portland
2072.6
State
2062.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Portland Safety

Is Portland safe?
Not especially. Portland earns a D+ with a crime rate of 241.7 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 Portland?
241.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 344.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2072.6 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Portland safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Portland's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,602 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Portland?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Portland generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Portland police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Portland?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Portland's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Portland compare to other cities in Tennessee?
Below average for the state. Portland ranks behind about 71% of Tennessee cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Portland 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 Portland?
Bad. A D+ grade and 241.7 per-thousand rate put Portland below 75% of US cities. Violent crime at 345 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Portland?
344.6 per 100,000, which is 5% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (252), robbery (54), and murder (5.0) 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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