DeKalb County Crime & Safety

DeKalb County, Tennessee

Safety Score

50/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1118.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

242.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

875.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

50/100

Higher = safer

State avg 36/100

State Safety Rank

#22

of 95 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in DeKalb County, Tennessee

Exceptional Safety in DeKalb County

DeKalb County achieves a high safety score of 98.2, making it one of the safer regions in the country. The total crime rate of 1,118.3 per 100,000 is less than half the national average.

A Safety Leader in Tennessee

DeKalb's safety score of 98.2 significantly outperforms the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Local law enforcement maintains a high standard of safety across three reporting agencies.

Minimal Crime Compared to State

The total crime rate of 1,118.3 per 100,000 is far lower than the Tennessee average of 1,785.6. It remains a tranquil alternative to nearby urban centers.

Low Property and Violent Crime

Property crime sits at just 875.8, which is exceptionally low compared to the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also low at 242.5 per 100,000 residents.

Maintain a Secure Household

Even in very safe counties, simple precautions like locking doors and windows are essential. Consider basic security measures to preserve the county's low property crime status.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in DeKalb County, TN?

DeKalb County has a total crime rate of 1118.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (242.5 per 100K) and property crimes (875.8 per 100K).

Is DeKalb County, TN safe?

DeKalb County has a safety score of 50/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #22 out of 95 counties in Tennessee for safety (1 = safest).

How does DeKalb County crime compare to the Tennessee average?

DeKalb's safety score of 98.2 significantly outperforms the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Local law enforcement maintains a high standard of safety across three reporting agencies.

What types of crime are most common in DeKalb County?

Property crime sits at just 875.8, which is exceptionally low compared to the national rate of 2,015.7. Violent crime is also low at 242.5 per 100,000 residents.

How is crime data measured and reported for DeKalb County?

Crime data for DeKalb County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

Why is DeKalb County safer than the Tennessee average?

DeKalb County has a safety score of 50/100, which is above the Tennessee average of 36/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.