Knoxville, AL Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Knoxville Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Knoxville has a crime rate that is 24% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 169.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 169
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
56% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 136
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
60% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Knoxville 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
|
105 | +5% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
159 | +59% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
138 | +38% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
174 | +74% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
215 | +115% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
6 | -94% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
21 | -79% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Knoxville Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Knoxville Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Knoxville zip codes.
Knoxville Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Knoxville, AL?
Knoxville, AL has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 169 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 136 chance for property crime. Knoxville has higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Knoxville, AL safe to live in?
Knoxville has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Knoxville is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Knoxville?
The estimated violent crime rate in Knoxville is 592.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 56% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 169 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 5.2 per 100K (5% above average); aggravated assault at 426.6 per 100K (59% above average); robbery at 101.9 per 100K (38% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Knoxville?
The estimated property crime rate in Knoxville is 733.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 60% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 136 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 580.4 per 100K (115% above average); larceny/theft at 85.0 per 100K (94% below average); vehicle theft at 67.6 per 100K (79% below average).
How does Knoxville crime compare to the national average?
Knoxville's overall crime rate is 24% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is burglary (115% above average), while larceny/theft is 94% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Knoxville has higher crime than 81% of them.
Is Knoxville safe to visit?
Visitors to Knoxville should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 60% 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 Knoxville crime compare to the rest of Alabama?
Alabama as a whole has crime that is 10% above the national average. Knoxville's crime rate is 24% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Alabama city.
What type of crime is most common in Knoxville?
Burglary is the most common crime in Knoxville, with an estimated rate of 580.4 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 115% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (733 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (592 per 100K) in Knoxville, which is consistent with national trends.