Tennessee and Other U.S. States Top Crimes Against Persons List

Newly compiled crime analyses are drawing attention to Tennessee and several other U.S. states where crimes against persons, including assault, homicide, kidnapping and sex offenses, are occurring at some of the highest rates in the country, raising fresh concerns for domestic and international tourists planning trips.

What “Crimes Against Persons” Means for Travelers

Crimes against persons is a broad category used in federal and state crime reporting that includes offenses where an individual is the direct target of harm. These typically cover homicide, assault, kidnapping, human trafficking and sex offenses. Analysts often view this group of offenses as a clearer indicator of direct physical risk than property crime alone, since the victim’s safety is at stake rather than just belongings.

Recent reviews of FBI National Incident-Based Reporting System data and related state-level reports indicate that, nationally, assault accounts for the majority of crimes against persons. However, advocates for safer travel note that the presence of elevated homicide, sexual violence and kidnapping figures within this category can significantly influence how dangerous a destination may feel to visitors.

For tourists, the distinction matters. A destination with high property crime but relatively low crimes against persons poses a different type of risk than a state where personal assaults and other direct attacks on individuals are comparatively common. Travel planners increasingly urge visitors to look beyond overall crime labels and examine how often people, rather than property, are targeted.

Although many popular American destinations remain statistically safe for most visitors, the concentration of crimes against persons in a handful of states is prompting renewed scrutiny of how travelers should prepare, where they choose to stay and what precautions they adopt on arrival.

Tennessee’s High Ranking in Crimes Against Persons

Recent analyses of 2024 FBI data and state-level reporting place Tennessee among the states with the highest rates of crimes against persons per 100,000 residents. One widely cited cross-state comparison, drawing on federal incident-based statistics, ranks Tennessee in the top five nationwide on this measure, alongside New Mexico, New York and Arkansas. In that analysis, Tennessee’s crimes against persons rate is shown exceeding 2,000 reported offenses per 100,000 residents, a level considered elevated compared with the national picture.

Separate figures published by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for 2024 describe a similar pattern. The agency’s annual crime overview identifies a substantial volume of crimes against persons across the state, with aggravated assault making up the largest share. While exact totals vary by source and methodology, publicly available information consistently places Tennessee toward the upper end of the national rankings for personal victimization rates.

Experts who study regional crime trends point out that Tennessee’s numbers are driven by a combination of metropolitan and smaller community incidents rather than a single hotspot. Major cities such as Memphis and Nashville attract attention for gun violence and assaults, yet rural and small-town jurisdictions also contribute to statewide counts. For tourists, this means that risk is not confined only to large urban centers, even if most visitors focus their itineraries on those hubs.

At the same time, tourism boards and local businesses frequently emphasize that visitor-heavy districts often have a strong security presence and that most trips to Tennessee are completed without incident. Even so, safety advisers encourage travelers to treat published crime data as a practical planning tool, helping them decide where to stay, how to move around after dark and whether to purchase additional travel insurance or medical coverage.

Other U.S. States With Elevated Personal Crime Rates

Tennessee is not alone. Recent national comparisons of crimes against persons and violent crime show a cluster of Southern and Western states appearing near the top of the rankings. Analyses based on FBI reporting highlight New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana as states where residents experience some of the highest overall rates of violent victimization, including homicide and aggravated assault.

Independent reviews of federal numbers also underline that the District of Columbia, Alaska and several Gulf Coast and Deep South states record personal crime and violent crime rates above the national average. While definitions and reporting practices differ, the pattern is consistent: certain states have a significantly greater concentration of incidents where individuals, rather than property, are the primary targets.

Some data-focused reports note that rural counties in the South and West, rather than the largest cities, now account for a sizeable share of serious violence. This runs counter to the common perception that crime risk is primarily an urban issue. For travelers, it means that driving holidays through sparsely populated regions or visiting small towns is not automatically a lower-risk alternative to city breaks.

Observers also point out that reporting coverage can influence rankings. States that have fully transitioned to detailed incident-based reporting may appear to have higher rates simply because more information is captured. Nonetheless, across multiple datasets and analytical methods, Tennessee and a core group of Southern and Western states repeatedly emerge at or near the top for crimes against persons.

How These Rankings Should Shape Tourist Planning

Travel safety specialists stress that high crime rankings do not mean tourists should automatically avoid entire states. Instead, they encourage a more targeted approach that looks at specific cities, neighborhoods and travel behaviors. Many of the incidents that drive high crimes against persons totals involve people who know each other, domestic disputes or criminal networks, rather than random attacks on visitors.

Published travel safety guidance from government and nonprofit organizations generally recommends that visitors to higher-crime states focus on situational awareness, especially at night and in entertainment districts where alcohol and crowded venues can raise vulnerability. Choosing accommodation in well-reviewed areas, using licensed transport options and avoiding walking alone after dark in unfamiliar neighborhoods are recurring themes in public advice.

Analysts also highlight the value of understanding local patterns. In some states with elevated crimes against persons, violent incidents may be concentrated in specific metro corridors, while tourist districts, national parks and major cultural attractions experience relatively few serious offenses. Conversely, travelers exploring remote regions or engaging in nightlife off the main tourist trail may face higher levels of risk than raw statewide figures might suggest.

Because crime conditions can change from year to year, travelers are urged to consult the latest official crime dashboards, tourism safety pages and reputable news coverage when planning trips. While the broad ranking of high-crime states such as Tennessee, New Mexico, Arkansas and Louisiana has remained relatively stable in recent analyses, the distribution of incidents within those states is often more dynamic.

Practical Safety Steps for Visiting Higher-Risk States

For travelers who still wish to experience destinations in Tennessee or other states with elevated crimes against persons rates, simple preparation can meaningfully reduce exposure to risk. Safety experts commonly recommend booking lodging with 24-hour staffed reception, secure entry points and good guest reviews that specifically mention safety. Centrally located hotels or short-term rentals in established districts are often preferable to isolated properties, even when the latter appear more affordable.

Visitors are also advised to research local transport options in advance. Using recognized ride-hailing services, official taxi stands or vetted shuttle providers is typically considered safer than informal rides. When driving, keeping car doors locked, avoiding displays of valuables inside the vehicle and planning routes to bypass known high-crime corridors can further lower the chance of becoming a target.

Personal conduct plays a role as well. Publicly available safety information consistently urges moderation with alcohol, staying with trusted companions, and leaving high-value items such as expensive jewelry, large amounts of cash and unnecessary electronics at home or in secure storage. Being cautious when using ATMs, especially at night, and maintaining awareness when entering or exiting parking garages, bars or music venues can also make a difference.

Finally, travel professionals suggest that international tourists register their itineraries with their own foreign ministries or consular services when visiting the United States, particularly when extended stays in higher-crime states are planned. While the overall risk to visitors remains relatively low compared with the daily experience of local residents, Tennessee and several other American states currently posting high crimes against persons rates justify a more deliberate, informed approach to trip planning.