Johnson City, TN Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Johnson City, TN

What is Johnson City's overall crime grade?

Johnson City, TN earns an overall crime grade of B for 2026, meaning it performs better than a significant portion of U.S. cities of comparable size. With a population of 126,265 and a density of just 596 residents per square mile, the city's relatively spread-out layout helps limit crime clustering compared to denser urban centers. A B grade reflects a city where most residents go about daily life without incident, though pockets of elevated activity do exist and are worth monitoring on the crime map.

What is the crime rate in Johnson City, and how does it compare nationally?

Johnson City's B overall crime grade places it in a favorable position relative to national benchmarks. Property crime — including theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins — accounts for the large majority of reported incidents, a pattern consistent with mid-sized Tennessee cities. Violent crime rates remain lower than the national average, though they are not negligible. Socioeconomic indicators provide important context: the city's 21.1% poverty rate and 6% unemployment rate are above state medians, and research consistently links these factors to elevated property crime. The median household income of $42,174 — below the U.S. median — similarly correlates with higher rates of opportunistic theft. Understanding these dynamics helps residents interpret the crime map more accurately.

Which neighborhoods in Johnson City have the lowest crime rates?

Based on available data, areas on the outer edges of Johnson City tend to report fewer incidents. Boones Creek, located in the eastern part of the city, is frequently cited as one of the more family-friendly and lower-crime areas, benefiting from newer residential development and active community involvement. The Munsey Avenue corridor and neighborhoods surrounding ETSU (East Tennessee State University) on the western side show mixed profiles — quieter residential blocks interspersed with areas that see higher foot traffic and occasional property crime. Suburban zones near Gray and the Knob Creek Road corridor also tend to reflect lower incident densities on the crime map. When evaluating neighborhoods, look at block-level data rather than relying solely on district-wide averages.

Which areas of Johnson City see higher crime activity?

Higher crime concentrations in Johnson City tend to cluster around corridors with higher commercial density and lower median incomes. Areas along North Roan Street and parts of West Walnut Street show elevated property crime reports, particularly vehicle theft and shoplifting tied to retail corridors. The downtown core and adjacent neighborhoods see a higher share of assault and drug-related incidents relative to the rest of the city — a pattern common in urban centers with active nightlife and transient populations. The city's 21.1% poverty rate means that economically stressed neighborhoods, particularly those with median rents near or below the city's $775 median, tend to show higher incident rates on the map. These areas benefit from Johnson City Police Department community policing initiatives, but residents should remain aware.

Is Johnson City safe for families and homebuyers?

With an overall crime grade of B and a median home value of just $172,535, Johnson City offers a compelling combination of affordability and relative safety for families and prospective homebuyers. For context, that home value is well below the national median, meaning buyers get more for their money in a city that still earns above-average safety marks. Neighborhoods like Boones Creek and the areas surrounding Lake Ridge Drive are particularly popular with families due to lower crime densities and access to quality schools. That said, buyers should cross-reference any prospective address against the crime map, since the city's B grade reflects an average across diverse neighborhoods — some of which grade higher and some lower. A 6% unemployment rate and ongoing economic development suggest the city's safety profile has room to improve further in coming years.

What types of crime are most common in Johnson City?

Property crime dominates Johnson City's incident reports, consistent with its B overall grade. Larceny-theft — including shoplifting and theft from vehicles — represents the most frequent category citywide. Burglary rates are notable in neighborhoods where the median rent falls at or below the city's $775 median, as these areas often have higher turnover and less consistent neighborhood watch coverage. Violent crime, while present, is proportionally lower and tends to concentrate in specific commercial and entertainment corridors rather than spreading uniformly across residential areas. Drug-related offenses intersect with both property and violent crime categories, and Johnson City's location along regional transit corridors has historically contributed to drug trafficking activity. Awareness of these patterns — especially the predominance of property crime — means that basic precautions like securing vehicles and locking doors have an outsized impact on personal safety in this city.

How does Johnson City's poverty rate affect its crime statistics?

Johnson City's 21.1% poverty rate is a meaningful driver of its crime profile and is important context for reading the crime map accurately. Research consistently shows that cities with poverty rates above 20% experience elevated rates of property crime in particular, as economic stress increases the incidence of opportunistic theft and burglary. With a median household income of $42,174 — roughly 30% below the national median — and a 6% unemployment rate, a notable share of Johnson City residents face financial pressure. However, the city's B crime grade demonstrates that community policing, neighborhood engagement, and local economic development efforts are partially offsetting these risk factors. Homebuyers and renters should weigh these socioeconomic indicators alongside block-level crime data when assessing specific neighborhoods.