Downtown Chattanooga Neighborhood, Chattanooga

Crime Rate & Statistics

C-

Below-average safety — crime is somewhat above average

Safer than 4% of neighborhoods in Chattanooga

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 170 / 300 High

Violent Crime 181

81% above national avg

Property Crime 177

77% above national avg

City Ranking

safer than other

Chattanooga neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Chattanooga

Is Downtown Chattanooga Safe?

Not really — crime is above the national average. Downtown Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN has a safety grade of C-. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average of 100. Downtown Chattanooga is safer than 4% of neighborhoods in Chattanooga.

Compared to the Chattanooga average (crime index 122), Downtown Chattanooga is 48% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, larceny / theft is the most elevated concern (index: 188, 88% above average), while burglary is the lowest risk (index: 155).

Highest Risk

Larceny / Theft · Index 188 (88% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Burglary · Index 155 (55% above avg)

Downtown Chattanooga Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Chattanooga city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Chattanooga	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	187	+87%	+62%	High
Assault	170	+70%	+47%	High
Robbery	184	+84%	+67%	High
Rape	182	+82%	N/A	High
Property Crime
Burglary	155	+55%	+40%	High
Larceny / Theft	188	+88%	+51%	High
Vehicle Theft	188	+88%	+57%	High

How Downtown Chattanooga Compares

Crime index by category: Downtown Chattanooga vs Chattanooga average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Downtown Chattanooga Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Downtown Chattanooga Demographics & Context

Population

8,301

Median Income

$26,960

Home Value

$422,012

Median Age

Pop. Density

2,201/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 13.6%

Graduate Degree 8.7%

Housing

15%

85%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 42.4%

Black 53.1%

Hispanic 3.9%

Asian 1.2%

Nearby Neighborhoods

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Index: 115

B+

North Chattanooga / Hill City Index: 136

Bushtown / Highland Park Index: 167

C-

South Chattanooga Index: 158

C+

Ridgedale / Oak Grove / Clifton Hills Index: 173

Lookout Valley / Lookout Mountain Index: 87

A+

Riverview / Stuart Heights Index: 102

Glenwood / Eastdale Index: 141

Downtown Chattanooga Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Chattanooga Crime Statistics

View all Chattanooga neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Downtown Chattanooga, Chattanooga?

Downtown Chattanooga in Chattanooga, TN has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 170, which is 70% above the national average. Compared to the Chattanooga average, crime in Downtown Chattanooga is 48% higher. Downtown Chattanooga is safer than 4% of neighborhoods in Chattanooga.

Is Downtown Chattanooga a safe neighborhood in Chattanooga?

Downtown Chattanooga has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Larceny / Theft (index: 188), while Burglary is the lowest risk (index: 155). It is one of the higher-crime neighborhoods in Chattanooga.

How does Downtown Chattanooga compare to the rest of Chattanooga?

Downtown Chattanooga's overall crime index is 170, compared to the Chattanooga average of 122. This means crime in Downtown Chattanooga is 48% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 181, and for property crime it is 177. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Downtown Chattanooga?

The most prevalent crime type in Downtown Chattanooga is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 188 (88% above the national average). Violent crime is a particular concern in this neighborhood relative to property crime.

What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown Chattanooga?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, North Chattanooga / Hill City, Lookout Valley / Lookout Mountain and Riverview / Stuart Heights. These areas are close to Downtown Chattanooga and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Downtown Chattanooga?

Downtown Chattanooga has a population of approximately 8,301. The median household income is $26,960. The median home value is $422,012. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Downtown Chattanooga crime compare to the national average?

Downtown Chattanooga's overall crime rate is 70% above the national average (index 170 vs 100). Within Chattanooga, it is safer than 4% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.