Traveling around the United States of America is an amazing goal.
The fifty states that make up the great nation are vastly diverse in landscape, cuisine, experience, and climate.
America is a beautiful country in many different ways.
One of the great states that you can visit is the state of Tennessee.
Tennessee is a southern state in the United States of America that is long and narrow, and incredibly beautiful.
The Great Smoky Mountain National Park takes up the eastern part of the state, and the state capital is known for its music scene.
Memphis is known as the home of the King of Rock and Roll, and there are small, charming towns everywhere in between.
Tennessee is a beautiful place to get lost and adventure.
When you are planning your trip to Tennessee, it is important that you keep safety in mind.
Planning to visit the safest cities in the state is your best bet, but it is good to be aware of the current crime rates in the state of Tennessee.
The violent crime rate in Tennessee is 6.7 (which means 6.7 out of every 1,000 people are affected), which is over the national average of 4.0.
The property crime rate is 24.9, which is over the national average of 19.6.
The crime rates are definitely higher than average.
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10 Safest Cities in Tennessee
10. Camden
Camden, Tennesee is located in the northwestern part of the state, close to Kentucky Lake.
It is located on the land that once belonged to the Native American tribe of Chickasaw.
Settlers from the Carolinas and Virginia arrived after the Jackson Purchase.
Camden has a lot of outdoor activities to offer, due to its proximity to the lake, and is also known for its golf scene.
The population of Camden is under 4,000.
The violent crime rate is 0.0, and the property crime rate is 1.9.
9. Church Hill
Next on the list of Tennessee’s safest cities is Church Hill.
Church Hill is located in northeast Tennessee, not far from Knoxville.
The city is close to the well-known mountain and lake towns of Boone and Cherokee, North Carolina.
Mountain views are stunning in the city of Church Hill.
Settlers started living in Church Hill around 1750 and never left, due to its mountain charm.
The population of Church Hill is under 7,000.
The violent crime rate is 0.6, and the property crime rate is 1.5.
8. Signal Mountain
Signal Mountain is a town that is named for the mountain in the area.
Its name comes from Signal Point, which overlooks the Tennessee River Gorge.
It is near the city of Chattanooga.
Natural beauty is everywhere you look in Signal Mountain.
It is a residential town, but it is a popular destination for hikers.
Signal Mountain’s population is around 8,600.
The violent crime rate is 0.1, and the property crime rate is 6.6.
7. Unicoi
Unicoi, Tennessee is located in northeastern Tennessee.
There are many outdoor activities in Unicoi to enjoy.
Hiking, biking, and more capture the attention of adventure enthusiasts.
Unicoi has many great trails that are built around the heritage of the time.
There is a pinnacle trail that will give you a 360-degree view of Unicoi and the surrounding areas.
Unicoi also has a rich history that is documented in museums, and it is a great destination for railroad enthusiasts, as there are many old railroad artifacts to see.
Unicoi’s population is around 3,500.
The violent crime rate is 0.6, and the property crime rate is 5.6.
6. Nolensville
Nolensville, Tennessee is located in the northern middle part of the state.
William Nolen and his family started the town when their wagon broke down in the area, and they noticed the richness of the land and decided to stay.
After the civil war, Nolensville was the center of trade, with the main road connecting the northern and southern parts of Tennessee.
Today, Nolensville is a community-minded town with town events, celebrations, and great shopping and dining.
Nolensville has a population of 10,600.
The violent crime rate is 0.8, and the property crime rate is 4.8.
5. Kingston
The town of Kingston, Tennessee is located in the northeastern part of the state.
There is so much to do in Kingston.
Outdoor enthusiasts will love the lake and mountain activities.
The town has many events that are known as Smokin’ the Water events.
These fun festivities bring the town together with games, fun, and food.
Kingston has a population of just under 6,000 people.
The violent crime rate is 0.5, and the property crime rate is 6.3.
4. Brentwood
Brentwood, Tennessee is located in the center of the state, just south of Nashville.
Brentwood’s history goes all the way back to the 15th century when the Native Americans lived in the area.
These Native Americans mysteriously left in the 16th century, and the area became a hunting ground for the Cherokee until the English settlers started moving into the area in the 1700s.
Today, Brentwood is known as a suburban area that is a good complement to Nashville’s busy city.
Brentwood’s population is just over 43,000 people.
The violent crime rate is 0.4, and the property crime rate is 7.6.
3. Oakland
Oakland, Tennessee is located in the southwestern part of the state.
In 1830, the town was established as a stop on the road from Memphis, Tennessee, to Raleigh, North Carolina.
During that year, a family decided to settle there and open a dry goods store.
Within one year, they had enough residents that they needed a post office, and Oakland was born.
The population of Oakland, Tennessee is around 8,500.
The violent crime rate is 0.7, and the property crime rate is 7.0.
2. Atoka
Atoka, Tennessee is also located in the southwestern part of the state.
The town has been listed as one of the most affordable places to live.
It has a strong community atmosphere with outdoor activities and town and community events.
Atoka has a population of just under 10,000 people.
The violent crime rate is 0.6, and the property crime rate is 7.5.
1. Huntingdon
Huntingdon, Tennessee was founded in 1822, when McKee’s Bridge was built on the Big Sandy.
It is located in the northwestern part of the state of Tennessee.
Today, there are many things to do in Huntingdon, Tennessee.
There are many festivals, and the center for performing arts entertains the residents of the town all year long.
The population of Huntingdon is just under 4,000 people.
The violent crime rate is 0.5, and the property crime rate is 7.9.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Tennessee
Always be prepared.
The boy scout’s motto still applies when it comes to traveling.
Make sure that you have extra supplies, such as tires, jumper cables, and other supplies for your car.
Also, make sure you have a phone charger and extra clothes, just in case you need to make an overnight stop.
Plan out your stops.
If you map out your destination and your route before you begin your road trip, you can purposefully choose your bathroom breaks and lunch spots.
This can help you avoid areas that are unsavory, like remote rest stops and run-down gas stations.
Instead, you can plan your breaks around historic landmarks or well-known diners.
Take a map with you.
It is always good to have a backup plan in case you get lost.
Most people have a map on them at all times now, because of the maps and GPS features on our cell phones.
If you do not have this, make sure you have a printed map that you can easily access.
Do not travel alone.
Criminals often target solo travelers because they are easily distracted and not always on alert.
It is best to travel with a partner if at all possible so that you can have someone to rely on, and even someone to switch off driving times with.
If you must travel alone, make sure you are always alert.
Stay alert and aware of your surroundings.
Being aware of what is around you can save you a lot of trouble in the future.
Criminals are often easy to spot and avoid.
Make sure that you are not distracted by your cell phone or another device when you are in public.
Distracted travelers are a criminal’s easiest target.
Sources
- https://www.cityofcamdentn.com/
- http://www.churchhilltn.gov/
- https://www.signalmountaintn.gov/
- https://www.unicoitn.net/
- https://www.nolensvilletn.gov/
- https://kingstontn.gov/
- https://www.brentwoodtn.gov/
- http://oaklandtennessee.org/
- https://www.townofatoka.com/
- http://www.huntingdontn.com/
Tennessee Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Tennessee Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest region to travel to in Tennessee?
The list of the ten safest cities in Tennessee includes cities that are scattered all over the state, in every region.
There is no one region of the state that is the safest.
What is the most dangerous city in Tennessee?
Memphis is the most dangerous city in Tennessee, with the highest violent crime rate.
Is there a specific region of Tennessee that I should avoid?
Safe cities are located all over Tennessee, just like dangerous cities are.
There are no specific regions of the state you should avoid.
Even dangerous cities can be navigated with caution.
These cities are exemplars of the commitment to creating safe and welcoming environments, making them appealing choices for anyone looking for security and peace of mind in Tennessee.
I’ve lived in one of these cities and can attest to the strong sense of community and safety. It’s a wonderful feeling to know you’re in a secure environment.
which one?
Despite the higher than average crime rates in Tennessee, living here is a joy with its charming small towns like Camden and Church Hill offering stunning landscapes, rich history, low violent crime rates and plenty of outdoor activities.