Kelso, TN Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Kelso Safe?
Yes — Kelso is safe overall
A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.
Kelso has a crime rate that is 49% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 512.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 512
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
49% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 155
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
65% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Kelso Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
49 | -51% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
59 | -41% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
60 | -40% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
27 | -73% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
35 | -65% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Kelso Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Kelso Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Kelso zip codes.
Kelso Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Kelso, TN?
Kelso, TN has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 49% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 512 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 155 chance for property crime. Kelso has lower crime than 92% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Kelso, TN safe to live in?
Kelso is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Kelso is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Kelso?
The estimated violent crime rate in Kelso is 195.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 512 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.4 per 100K (51% below average); aggravated assault at 129.2 per 100K (52% below average); robbery at 43.6 per 100K (41% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Kelso?
The estimated property crime rate in Kelso is 646.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 65% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 155 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 152.7 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 382.7 per 100K (73% below average); vehicle theft at 111.4 per 100K (65% below average).
How does Kelso crime compare to the national average?
Kelso's overall crime rate is 49% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is rape (40% below average), while larceny/theft is 73% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Kelso has lower crime than 92% of them.
Is Kelso safe to visit?
Kelso is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 65% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Kelso crime compare to the rest of Tennessee?
Tennessee as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Kelso's crime rate is 49% below the national average, making it safer the typical Tennessee city.
What type of crime is most common in Kelso?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Kelso, with an estimated rate of 382.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 73% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (647 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (195 per 100K) in Kelso, which is consistent with national trends.