Tennessee is known for its music, culture, and natural beauty, but it also has some of the most dangerous cities in the United States. According to a recent ranking by Property Club, a website that analyzes crime data from the FBI, Memphis is the most dangerous city in America, followed by St. Louis and Oakland. The ranking only considers cities with at least 200,000 residents.
What Makes Memphis So Dangerous?
Memphis has a population of 628,127 and a crime rate that is 237% higher than the national average. It has 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people, with an exceptionally high violent crime rate. In 2022, there were 15,318 incidents of violent crime, including 289 counts of murder, 2,134 counts of robbery, and 12,484 incidents of assault.
Some of the factors that contribute to Memphis’ high crime rate are poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, gang activity, and lack of education. Memphis also has a history of racial tensions and civil unrest that have led to violence and protests over issues such as police brutality and racial justice.
Which Neighborhoods Are the Most Dangerous in Memphis?
The ranking by Property Club also broke down which neighborhoods are the most dangerous overall in Memphis. The top four are:
Shelby-Forest Frayser: This neighborhood has a crime index of 1,057/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1,021/1000. It is home to many low-income residents who face challenges such as poor housing conditions, lack of access to health care and education services.
Downtwon: This neighborhood has a crime index of 1,021/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1/1000. It is located near downtown Memphis and has been plagued by poverty and blight for decades. It also suffers from high rates of drug trafficking and prostitution.
Parkway Village-Oakhaven: This neighborhood has a crime index of 1/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1/1000. It is situated along Interstate 40 and has been affected by urban decay and social problems such as homelessness and mental illness.
White Haven-Coro Lake: This neighborhood has a crime index of 1/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1/1000. It is located near Lake Mead Regional Park and has been impacted by environmental issues such as flooding and contamination.
How Does Tennessee Compare to Other States?
Tennessee is not all violence and danger — there are also plenty of neighborhoods that are safe. According to Property Club’s ranking for Tennessee cities with at least 200,000 residents, some of the safest ones are:
Franklin: This city has a population of about 95,000 people and a low crime rate compared to other major cities in Tennessee. It has an overall crime index of 76/1000 and no violent crimes reported in recent years.
Nashville: This city is the capital and largest city in Tennessee with about half a million residents. It has an overall crime index of 64/1000 and no violent crimes reported in recent years.
Knoxville: This city is located on the banks of the Tennessee River and has about 300, 000 residents. It has an overall crime index of 59/1000 and no violent crimes reported in recent years.
Conclusion
Tennessee may be known for its music, culture, and natural beauty, but it also has some of the most dangerous cities in America. Memphis, the largest city in Tennessee, is ranked as the most dangerous city in America by Property Club, based on data from the FBI’s crime report. The ranking also shows which neighborhoods are the most dangerous overall in Memphis, such as Shelby-Forest Frayser, Downtwon, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and White Haven-Coro Lake.
However, Tennessee also has many safe neighborhoods that offer quality living standards for its residents. Some examples are Franklin, Nashville, and Knoxville. Tennessee’s safety depends largely on how well its government addresses social issues such as poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, gang activity, and lack of education that contribute to high crime rates.