Is Franklin Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Franklin, Tennessee, epitomizes Southern charm with a vibrant blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.

Steeped in significance, it played a pivotal role in the Civil War, notably during the Battle of Franklin in 1864.

Even the 16-block downtown is all part of a National Historic District.

Staying in Franklin means staying where some of the hottest stars live.

Of course, country music stars like Brad Paisley and Chris Stapleton want to be close to Nashville but love the secluded nature of the elegant homes here.

Depending on what generation you are, there’s a name to impress living in Franklin – Kristen Cavalleri, Carrie Underwood, Julianne Hough… the list goes on.

Justin Timberlake and family, with wife Jessica Biel, lived in nearby Leipers Fork until recently.

Even more celebrity names fill out that rural community with expansive farmland.

When you look at the map, Franklin might seem a little far away from Nashville, but trust me when I say it’s a suburb.

It’s also growing quickly, up almost 35% in population just over the past decade.

When I lived in Huntsville, I drove through here on the way to Nashville, and it’s just an endearing town all the way around.

Locals love it for the low crime rates, great schools, and top-notch healthcare, but it’s far from a sleepy suburb.

Whether you want to stay here or just visit for the afternoon, let’s help you have the safest experience in this Tennessee gem of a town.

Warnings & Dangers in Franklin

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Franklin and a heck of a lot to do! It's geared toward a family-friendly vibe.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Franklin Transit offers the Follow Frank app. Download it to see if the routes suit your needs. Taxis and rideshares will be plentiful here, and rental cars are easy to get. All options are a low risk.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

With eight pickpockets reported in the past five years, the risk is low. You still need to use standard personal safety precautions but don't let it cause you anxiety. Common sense goes a long way here.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Treat this as a medium risk due to a year-round risk of some kind of disruptive or severe weather. Spring kicks off tornado season, and severe thunderstorms are common. Flash flooding and blinding rain are possible with these storms. Summer can bring oppressive heat, with the humidity adding another element of danger by forcing the "feels like" temperature higher. Winters are generally mild, with less than six inches of snow, but even a minor winter storm can cause chaos.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

Robberies are 87% lower than the national average and less than one a month happened in 2022. Not a single one of them was a mugging.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

The risk is low, but you can read more about the terrorism safety steps taken on the Williamson County Emergency Management website.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

One scam reported in early 2024 involves "Bank Jugging." This is when a criminal sees a person taking money out of an ATM and then follows them. The goal is to steal the cash from the person or take it from the car if the person leaves it inside. Most other scams here focus on locals, not tourists.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women of all ages will enjoy the low risk in Franklin. It's a safe community with a lot of great things to do for every generation or mixed generations of women.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2022 Water Quality Report shows full compliance and no violations. You might come across some scary headlines about the water quality here, but that was connected to an over-exaggeration of a violation in 2018. High-quality standards often result in a violation here or there, but it shows the process is working to keep the water safe.

Safest Places to Visit in Franklin

The Visit Franklin website holds everything you need to know when visiting “The South’s Most Charming Town.”

It also breaks down all the cities and towns in Williamson County.

Take a stroll through downtown Franklin, which boasts over 60 historical buildings dating back to the 19th century.

Admire the architecture, browse charming boutiques, and dine-in restaurants housed in historic storefronts across 16 blocks.

Learn more at the Downtown Franklin website.

Franklin is loaded with history, especially from the Antebellum era.

The Carnton Mansion served as a Confederate field hospital during the Battle of Franklin in 1864.

Today, it’s a museum where you can explore the house and grounds and learn about its role during the Civil War.

Another Civil War-era gem, the Lotz House, is also a historic home turned museum.

Step back in time as you wander through rooms filled with period furniture and artifacts and hear stories about the Lotz family’s experiences during the Battle of Franklin.

The Carter House is a Federal-style home that served as a Union command post during the Battle of Franklin.

Explore the house and grounds, including the bullet-riddled exterior walls that bear witness to the fierce fighting that took place.

McLemore House African American Museum explores topics such as slavery, emancipation, and Reconstruction.

This is housed in a restored Victorian home.

Franklin is also home to several historic churches, including St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, First Presbyterian Church, and First United Methodist Church.

These beautiful buildings showcase a range of architectural styles and offer insight into the community’s religious history.

Outdoor lovers should score a ticket to the Owl’s Hill Nature Sanctuary, which offers 300 acres of protected wildlife and plant life.

As the name suggests, owls are located throughout the property.

This is a family-friendly adventure with some activities just for kids.

Other outdoor activities range from hiking to biking to climbing the Soar Adventure Tower, with four stories of physically challenging elements.

This is a busy agricultural area, too, with dairy farms, Christmas tree farms, and animal farms open for tours with seasonal specialties.

Places to Avoid in Franklin

You don’t need to avoid any places in Franklin due to crime risks, that’s for sure.

You won’t find bad neighborhoods or dangerous parts of town.

What you will find is an upscale community that might be outside your budget – I know the time I got stuck in Franklin due to a flat tire, I was surprised even McDonald’s prices were higher than I was used to.

As close as Franklin is to Nashville, you won’t get the same vibes here, either.

It’s a gorgeous suburb with well-manicured lawns and great shopping.

The community vibe is great, but it’s not the vibrant, lively nature many people visiting Nashville expect.

However, it’s also a lot safer than Nashville.

Finally, don’t go looking for celebrity homes in Franklin.

They are all behind gates, sometimes a mile or so behind the gate before you even get to the house.

If you see someone famous in public, don’t freak out.

Locals here give the celebs plenty of breathing room to live a normal life.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Franklin

So... How Safe Is Franklin Really?

Franklin ranks as one of the Top 100 Places to Live, according to Livability.com, and that also means you can have a great tourist experience there as well.

Violent crime is 47% lower than the national average and 67% lower than the state average.

The city has grown 34% in population over the past decade, but crime has increased 83% in that same time.

It’s nothing to be worried about, but that trend needs to slow down.

As for violent crime victims, 30% were against strangers in 2023.

Almost as many crimes happen in private homes as on public streets or sidewalks.

On average, five to six cars are stolen each month.

The theft rate is 37% lower than the national average.

About 35% of those are shoplifting.

Franklin Police say that juvenile shoplifting has been a growing problem.

Car break-ins and accessory thefts make up about one-third of all thefts, which is about average based on my experience researching hundreds of cities.

In a state known as having some of the highest crime rates in the nation, Franklin is one of the safest places to live and visit.

Please know that sentiment doesn’t extend to Nashville necessarily.

Check out our other articles to learn more.

How Does Franklin Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

The U.S. State Department details the process of getting a visa or applying for a visa waiver. Use the Visa Wizard module to help navigate the right option for you. Check the expiration date of your passport, as it must be valid for at least six months after your trip.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar in America. Please don't use the ATMs in Franklin to get cash. Either go inside a bank or take care of that before your trip. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Weather

Franklin's weather sticks to the traditional four seasons, with winter being on the mild side and only accumulating six inches of snow on average. Summers will be hot and humid. You'll need bug spray and comfortable, breathable clothing fabrics.

Airports

Nashville International Airport is an easy 30-minute drive from Franklin. Just be sure to check the traffic if you're driving during the rush hours.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive travel insurance is a smart investment to protect against theft, weather delays, or cancelations. Be sure you have coverage for healthcare in the event of an emergency.

Franklin Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Tennessee - Safety by City