Tennessee is celebrated for its music, culture, and natural beauty, but it also hosts some of the most dangerous cities in the U.S. According to Property Club, which analyzes FBI crime data, Memphis tops the list as the most dangerous city in America, followed by St. Louis and Oakland. This ranking includes only cities with at least 200,000 residents.
What Makes Memphis So Dangerous?
Memphis, with a population of 628,127, has a crime rate 237% higher than the national average, recording 7,913 crimes per 100,000 people. In 2022, there were 15,318 violent crime incidents, including 289 murders, 2,134 robberies, and 12,484 assaults.
Factors contributing to Memphis’ high crime rate include poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, gang activity, and lack of education. The city also has a history of racial tensions and civil unrest, leading to violence and protests over issues like police brutality and racial justice.
Which Neighborhoods Are the Most Dangerous in Memphis?
Property Club’s ranking highlights the most dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis:
- Shelby-Forest Frayser: This area has a crime index of 1,057/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1,021/1000. Many low-income residents face challenges like poor housing conditions and limited access to healthcare and education services.
- Downtown: With a crime index of 1,021/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1/1000, this neighborhood struggles with poverty, blight, drug trafficking, and prostitution.
- Parkway Village-Oakhaven: This neighborhood has a crime index of 1/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1/1000. Located along Interstate 40, it suffers from urban decay and social issues like homelessness and mental illness.
- White Haven-Coro Lake: This area, near Lake Mead Regional Park, has a crime index of 1/1000 and a violent crime rate of 1/1000. It is affected by environmental issues such as flooding and contamination.
How Does Tennessee Compare to Other States?
Not all of Tennessee is plagued by violence. Some of the safest cities with at least 200,000 residents, according to Property Club, include:
- Franklin: With about 95,000 residents, Franklin has a low crime rate. Its overall crime index is 76/1000, with no violent crimes reported in recent years.
- Nashville: As the capital and largest city with about half a million residents, Nashville has a crime index of 64/1000 and no recent violent crimes.
- Knoxville: Located on the banks of the Tennessee River, Knoxville has around 300,000 residents. It boasts a crime index of 59/1000, with no recent violent crimes.
Conclusion
While Tennessee is renowned for its music, culture, and natural beauty, 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 FBI crime data. The ranking also identifies the most dangerous neighborhoods in Memphis, such as Shelby-Forest Frayser, Downtown, Parkway Village-Oakhaven, and White Haven-Coro Lake.
However, Tennessee also has many safe neighborhoods that offer high living standards. Examples include Franklin, Nashville, and Knoxville. The safety of Tennessee depends largely on how effectively its government addresses social issues like poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, gang activity, and lack of education, which contribute to high crime rates.
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