Knoxville, Tennessee
Data sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer
Date all data was sourced: 01/08/2026
How safe is Knoxville, TN
But if you call Knoxville home, or are planning on moving there, it’s important to know about crime in the area. Our analysis of FBI data shows that reported cases of burglary and larceny decreased between 2022 and 2024.
Read on to learn more about different types of property crime affecting Knoxville, Tennessee.
01.
What is property crime?
The FBI categorizes property crime as including burglary, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft. It defines these as ‘theft-type offenses’, i.e. property stolen from a victim unlawfully but without force or threat of force. The FBI categorizes robbery as a violent crime, but it’s also included in the property crime dataset we’re utilizing.
Before we get to Knoxville, what’s happening at state level?
| Crime | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burglary / breaking entering | 22,793 | 21,369 | 18,397 |
| Larceny / theft offenses | 115,602 | 115,923 | 104,985 |
| Motor vehicle theft | 25,842 | 32,424 | 24,412 |
Data sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer
As you can see reported cases of burglary fell by 2,972 between 2023 and 2024. Larceny and motor vehicle theft also decreased across the state between the same time period.
Burglary
Burglary is the unlawful entry to someone’s property to commit a felony or theft. This generally happens in someone’s home or on business premises.
Reported burglary cases
Reported cases of burglary reached 794 in Knoxville in 2023 compared with 660 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year decrease of 134.
The Knoxville crime rate for burglary in 2023 was 400 per 100,000 people. This compares with 332 per 100,000 people in 2024.
Larceny
Larceny is illegally taking, moving, or carrying away someone else's property without permission. Though if being taken from someone’s home the person must have entered lawfully.
Reported larceny cases
Reported cases of larceny reached 4,536 in Knoxville in 2023 compared with 4,040 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year decrease of 496.
The Knoxville crime rate for larceny in 2023 was 2,283 per 100,000 people. This compares with 2,033 per 100,000 people in 2024.
Motor vehicle theft
Motor vehicle theft is stealing or attempting to steal a motor vehicle, such as an automobile or pickup.
Reported motor vehicle theft cases
Reported cases of motor vehicle theft reached 881 in Knoxville in 2023 compared with 771 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year decrease of 110.
The Knoxville crime rate for motor vehicle theft in 2023 was 443 per 100,000 people. This compares with 388 per 100,000 people in 2024.
Robbery
Robbery is the taking of, or trying to take, something valuable from another person using force, threats, or intimidation.
Reported robbery cases
Reported cases of robbery reached 174 in Knoxville in 2023 compared with 164 cases in 2024. This is a year-on-year decrease of 10.
The Knoxville crime rate for robbery in 2023 was 88 per 100,000 people. This compares with 83 per 100,000 people in 2024.
Between March 2020 and December 2023, we can see a total of:
21,789
total larcenies in Knoxville
Data sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer
2,271
accounted for auto
3,379
accounted for other
863
accounted for shoplifting
1,094
accounted for auto accessories
838
accounted from buildings
45
accounted from bicycles
When it comes to burglary during that same three-year period, we can see a total of:
3,510
cases of burglary in Knoxville
Data sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer
688
happened at residences during the day
539
happened at residences at night
193
happened at non-residences during the day
211
happened at non-residences at night
The impact of being a victim in property crime
How is property crime affecting people in Knoxville?
But whether you’re coming home to central in downtown, Old City, or Fourth and Gill, you’ll likely be concerned about keeping your home secure. So, how common is property crime in Knoxville? Like any city, burglary, larceny and motor vehicle theft do happen, but are they rising or falling? We compared FBI data from 2023 and 2024 to get the answers and help you decide is Knoxville safe for you and your family.
02.
How Knoxville Police Department is Working to Prevent Property Crime
Want to know more about Knoxville crime news and general police safety measures to tackle crime in your neighborhood? We’ve grouped some some recent initiatives from the Knoxville Police.
Crime Prevention Unit
Community Engagement Response Team
An initiative set up in 2021, the Community Engagement Response Team is dedicated to working with local people in areas where crime has been more likely to happen in the past. The aim is to build good relationships with these communities through a visible, but friendly, policing presence.
Place-Based Strategy Zones
Police in Knoxville have implemented place-based strategy zones in parts of the city which are more commonly affected by violent crime. The idea is to reduce crime and improve quality of life by putting more officers on the street and helping local people overcome challenges.
Community Partnership Officers (CPOs)
Community Partnership Officers (CPOs) are assigned to Knoxville’s East District, Central District, or West District. They work with local people and organizations to boost engagement and foster partnerships to improve awareness and education around crime prevention.
Community Police Academy
The Community Police Academy gives residents a 10-week interactive program that aims to give a deeper understanding of how Knoxville Police Department operates. It delves into daily activities such as prevention initiatives, residential and business security, enhanced observation skills, and more.
03.
How does Knoxville’s crime rate compare to other cities in Tennessee?
To give you an idea of how Knoxville stacks up against other cities across the state, we’ve compiled the data for the different types of property crime in 2023.
| City | Population | Burglary | Larceny | Motor Vehicle Theft | Robbery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | 198,722 | 660 | 4,040 | 771 | 164 |
| Nashville | 704,963 | 3,125 | 23,512 | 5,063 | 1,121 |
| Chattanooga | 191,496 | 712 | 5,558 | 1,257 | 182 |
| Memphis | 610,919 | 5,623 | 27,030 | 9,714 | 2,136 |
Populations data: United States Census Bureau
Data sources: FBI Crime Data Explorer
- Dan Hochstaetter, Head of Digital Customer Experience, CPI Security
04.
Emergency Services in Knoxville
Knoxville Police Department
Chief Paul Noel
05.
How to protect your home against property crime
More crime data
South Carolina
Tennessee
Georgia
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| 08/30/2025 | All crime data statistics updated |
| 01/08/2026 | All crime data statistics updated |
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