Polk County Crime & Safety

Polk County, Tennessee

Safety Score

23/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1952.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

204.3

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1748.0

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

23/100

Higher = safer

State avg 36/100

State Safety Rank

#65

of 95 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Polk County, Tennessee

Crime rates remain below national averages

Polk County reports a total crime rate of 1,952.3 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a safety score of 96.9 out of 100. It is generally safer than the typical American county.

Slightly behind the Tennessee safety average

The county's safety score of 96.9 is just below the Tennessee average of 97.2. However, its total crime rate of 1,952.3 is slightly higher than the state's average of 1,785.6. This suggests Polk County faces a slightly higher volume of crime than the average Tennessee jurisdiction.

Regional comparisons show moderate risk

Polk County's crime rate of 1,952.3 is higher than Rhea County's 1,350.3 but lower than Putnam County's 2,109.6. Two reporting agencies provide the data that forms this local safety profile. The county sits in the middle of the pack for its geographic area.

Property crime is the primary concern

Property crime accounts for 1,748.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, making up the bulk of the total. The violent crime rate is 204.3, which is notably lower than the national average of 369.8. Law enforcement primarily deals with theft and burglary rather than violent offenses.

Focus on protecting your property

Since property crime is the most prevalent issue, investing in home security cameras is a smart move. Ensuring that outbuildings and vehicles are locked can prevent the most common local crimes. Staying connected with neighbors provides an extra layer of defense against theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Polk County, TN?

Polk County has a total crime rate of 1952.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (204.3 per 100K) and property crimes (1748.0 per 100K).

Is Polk County, TN safe?

Polk County has a safety score of 23/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #65 out of 95 counties in Tennessee for safety (1 = safest).

How does Polk County crime compare to the Tennessee average?

What types of crime are most common in Polk County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Polk County?

Crime data for Polk 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.

What is being done about crime in Polk County?

Polk County has a safety score of 23/100, which is below the Tennessee average of 36/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.