Tennessee offers plenty for residents in the way of natural beauty, culture and history. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the most visited park in the United States, slices through the eastern part of the state. Between the blues legacy of Memphis and country music capital of the nation, Nashville, music legends’ songs are kept alive day and night. And the state’s Civil War and Reconstruction Era history can be studied at numerous museums. Let’s see why 6.8 million residents, including many retirees choose to call Tennessee home and which cities have earned a spot among the state’s top 10 safest cities.
The Top 10 Safest Cities in Tennessee
1. Church Hill
- Population: 6,664
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 45.0
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 270.1
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
88% Below National Crime Rate
Church Hill comes in first as the safest city in Tennessee, according to the FBI database. Located about 80 miles northeast of Knoxville, Church Hill offers beautiful small-town living while still being convenient to urban areas. The town overlooks the Holston River, making for stunning views and a great place to build a home in Tennessee.
2. Signal Mountain
- Population: 8,602
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 69.8
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 430.1
- Most Common Crime: Property
81% Below National Crime Rate
Signal Mountain, a suburb of Chattanooga, is located on Walden Ridge at the southern end of Cumberland Plateau. Home to a number of outdoor attractions, Signal Mountain is known as a great place to raise a family, with a strong school system contributing to that reputation.
3. Loudon
- Population: 5,815
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 68.8
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 808.3
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
66% Below National Crime Rate
The safe and livable town of Loudon sits on the Tennessee River not too far from Knoxville. Loudon is an affordable community with the average home listed at around $100,000. If you enjoy hearing birds chirping and the whistle of a train steaming by, this might be the place for you.
4. Oakland
- Population: 8,107
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 37.0
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,060.8
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
57% Below National Crime Rate
Oakland has a crime rate almost 60 percent lower than the national average. This quiet suburb offers the best of both worlds: a small-town lifestyle and Memphis right around the corner.
5. Brentwood
- Population: 43,507
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 80.4
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 926.3
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
61% Below National Crime Rate
Famous for its rolling hills, Brentwood is an affluent suburb of Nashville and is home to many big-name country music stars. Thanks to the town’s celebrity cachet, the median home price here is more than $700,000, but the education system is also ranked among the highest in the state.
6. Atoka
- Population: 9,305
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 96.7
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 870.5
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
62% Below National Crime Rate
With both safety and education receiving high marks in Atoka, residents boast that it is a great place to raise a family. Long a railroad town, Atoka remains an Amtrak stop on the Chicago–New Orleans line. Atoka is also an affordable town, with homes starting just under $200,000.
7. Spring Hill
- Population: 41,354
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 104.0
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,078.5
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
54% Below National Crime Rate
A suburb of Nashville, Spring Hill is expanding quickly thanks to its superlative education system. Median home prices are around $200,000 and are far more affordable than ritzy Brentwood. The city’s outdoor concert series is a great way to discover the music stars of tomorrow.
8. Collegedale
- Population: 12,189
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 41.0
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,484.9
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
41% Below National Crime Rate
As a close suburb of Chattanooga, Collegedale offers a slower pace of life full of scenic trails, nature walks and parks. This small town is known not only for safety, but also as one of best places to live in Tennessee.
9. Franklin
- Population: 80,825
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 147.2
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,215.0
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
47% Below National Crime Rate
About twice the size of fellow Nashville suburb Brentwood, the quaint town of Franklin is a history buff’s dream. Plus, the country music stars who don’t live in Brentwood typically call Franklin home.
The Tennessean reported that Franklin was the eighth-fastest growing city in the nation in 2017. Not only that but its school system is one of the best in the state. Be sure to check out Franklin’s many parks, century-old farms and overall uniqueness.
10. Germantown
- Population: 39,179
- Violent Crimes Per Capita: 76.6
- Nonviolent Crimes Per Capita: 1,544.2
- Most Common Crime: Property and Larceny
37% Below National Crime Rate
Germantown holds high marks in schools, housing and entertainment. An affluent suburb of Memphis, the town has much to offer job seekers and includes a historic downtown as well as a nationally accredited parks and recreation system.
Other Tennessee Resources
Heather Allen is a freelance writer who began her career 20 years ago at a small Texas NBC affiliate, while attending SFASU. She’s written blogs on a diverse range of topics.
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