Nashville, often dubbed Music City, serves as the capital and largest city of Tennessee. Renowned for its vibrant musical heritage, lively nightlife, and diverse culture, it also grapples with crime and violence, as is common in many major urban centers.
Certain areas within Nashville are more susceptible to criminal activity, necessitating vigilance from both residents and visitors.
As per the latest statistics from the Metro Nashville Police Department, there were 35,153 reported crimes in Nashville-Davidson County in 2019, encompassing 8,057 instances of violent crime and 24,943 cases of property crime.
This translates to an annual crime rate of 5,114 incidents per 100,000 individuals, surpassing the national average of 3,791 incidents per 100,000 people.
Furthermore, the rate of violent crime stood at 1,187 incidents per 100,000 individuals, also exceeding the national average of 674 incidents per 100,000 people.
Drawing from this crime data and neighborhood evaluations provided by Niche.com, the following are the five neighborhoods deemed to be the most hazardous in Nashville-Davidson County:
North Nashville
North Nashville, situated just a few miles from downtown, is home to approximately 18,000 residents. This neighborhood holds a significant historical presence as a predominantly black community, having grappled with challenges such as poverty, segregation, and urban decline.
In terms of safety, North Nashville experiences a crime rate of 6,974 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the city’s average by 36%. The rate of violent crimes stands at 1,853 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 56% higher than the citywide average.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Madison County, Tennessee
Watkins Park
Watkins Park is a community situated close to downtown, housing approximately 2,200 residents. Its name is derived from the central park within the area.
In terms of safety, Watkins Park experiences a crime rate of 7,072 incidents per 100,000 individuals, surpassing the city average by 38%. Specifically, the violent crime rate stands at 1,880 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 59% higher than the city’s typical rate.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Maury County, Tennessee
Salemtown
Salemtown, positioned to the north of downtown, is home to approximately 1,600 residents. It shares its border with Germantown, one of Nashville’s most ancient and historically significant neighborhoods.
In terms of safety, Salemtown experiences a crime rate of 8,011 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the city’s average by 57%. Specifically, the violent crime rate stands at 2,066 incidents per 100,000 people, which is 74% above the city’s average.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Enid, Oklahoma
Downtown
Downtown Nashville, the bustling central business district and cultural hub, features renowned landmarks like the Ryman Auditorium, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Tennessee State Capitol Building, and lively Broadway honky tonks.
With a population of around 1,400 residents, Downtown grapples with a crime rate of 8,474 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the city’s average by 66%. In terms of violent crimes, the rate stands at 2,184 incidents per 100,000 people, a staggering 85% higher than the citywide average.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in St. Louis County, Missouri
Sulphur Dell (North Capital Area)
Sulphur Dell (North Capital Area) is a neighborhood situated to the north of downtown and is home to approximately 1,000 residents. It was once the location of the now-demolished Sulphur Dell baseball park in 1969.
In terms of safety, Sulphur Dell (North Capital Area) experiences a crime rate of 9,417 incidents per 100,000 people, surpassing the citywide average by 84%. The rate of violent crimes stands at 2,414 incidents per 100,000 people, which is more than twice the city’s average.
Read More: Discover the 5 Most Dangerous Neighborhoods in Maui County, Hawaii
Conclusion
Here are the five neighborhoods in Nashville-Davidson County with the highest crime rates according to the most recent data. Nevertheless, it’s crucial to stay vigilant and exercise caution in any location, as incidents can occur unpredictably and in any area.
