Rutherford County Crime & Safety

Rutherford County, Tennessee

Safety Score

21/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2061.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

398.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1663.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

21/100

Higher = safer

State avg 36/100

State Safety Rank

#71

of 95 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Rutherford County, Tennessee

Rutherford County Stays Below National Crime Rates

Rutherford County maintains a safety score of 96.7 despite its rapid population growth. Its total crime rate of 2,061.8 per 100K remains lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Navigating Above Average Tennessee Crime

Rutherford's total crime rate sits slightly above the state average of 1,785.6 per 100K. Six local agencies manage public safety for one of the most active counties in the state.

Regional Safety Comparison for Residents

Rutherford County shares similar crime metrics with Sevier County, which reports a rate of 2,062.8 per 100K. It remains significantly safer than urban centers like Shelby County.

High Property Crime Drives Local Rates

Property crime accounts for 1,663.8 incidents per 100K, making up the bulk of local law enforcement activity. Violent crime is slightly elevated compared to the state average, reaching 398.0 per 100K.

Invest in Visible Home Defense

As property crime is the primary concern here, visible security cameras act as a strong deterrent. Residents should ensure all vehicles and entry points are locked to prevent opportunistic theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Rutherford County, TN?

Rutherford County has a total crime rate of 2061.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (398.0 per 100K) and property crimes (1663.8 per 100K).

Is Rutherford County, TN safe?

Rutherford County has a safety score of 21/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #71 out of 95 counties in Tennessee for safety (1 = safest).

How does Rutherford County crime compare to the Tennessee average?

Rutherford's total crime rate sits slightly above the state average of 1,785.6 per 100K. Six local agencies manage public safety for one of the most active counties in the state.

What types of crime are most common in Rutherford County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Rutherford County?

Crime data for Rutherford 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 Rutherford County?

Rutherford County has a safety score of 21/100, 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.