Rhea County Crime & Safety

Rhea County, Tennessee

Safety Score

41/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1350.3

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

160.5

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1189.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

41/100

Higher = safer

State avg 36/100

State Safety Rank

#34

of 95 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Rhea County, Tennessee

Rhea County safer than the national average

Rhea County reports a total crime rate of 1,350.3 per 100,000 residents, well below the national mark of 2,385.5. This leads to a strong safety score of 97.9 out of 100. It offers a significantly safer environment than the average U.S. county.

Above average safety for Tennessee

The county's safety score of 97.9 beats the Tennessee state average of 97.2. Its total crime rate of 1,350.3 is also lower than the state's average of 1,785.6. Rhea County ranks as one of the more secure regions within the state.

Favorable comparison to regional neighbors

Rhea's crime rate of 1,350.3 is lower than Polk County (1,952.3) and Putnam County (2,109.6). Four local reporting agencies confirm these relatively low numbers. The county maintains a peaceful profile compared to its more active neighbors.

Violent crime is significantly below average

The violent crime rate is just 160.5 per 100,000, less than half the national average of 369.8. Property crime stands at 1,189.8, which is the primary source of police activity in the area. Most criminal incidents in Rhea County are non-violent property offenses.

Secure your home to deter theft

Because property crime is the main concern, simple steps like motion sensor lights and sturdy locks are very effective. Reporting suspicious behavior helps the four local agencies respond quickly to potential threats. Maintaining a secure perimeter keeps Rhea County's low crime rates stable.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Rhea County, TN?

Rhea County has a total crime rate of 1350.3 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (160.5 per 100K) and property crimes (1189.8 per 100K).

Is Rhea County, TN safe?

Rhea County has a safety score of 41/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #34 out of 95 counties in Tennessee for safety (1 = safest).

How does Rhea County crime compare to the Tennessee average?

What types of crime are most common in Rhea County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Rhea County?

Crime data for Rhea 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 Rhea County safer than the Tennessee average?

Rhea County has a safety score of 41/100, 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.