How safe is Clarksville? Crime rate and total crimes decline for 7th year in row

It isn't just the rate that's down in our fast-growing city: TBI statistics show that even as the population climbs, our total number of crimes in Clarksville is down as well.

CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – For the seventh year in a row, the crime rate in Clarksville has declined. But it isn’t just the crime rate – the number of crimes per 1,000 people – that’s down in our fast-growing city: Even as the population climbs, our total number of crimes has declined as well.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation recently released its Crime in Tennessee report with 2024 statewide statistics, compiled from crime data from all law enforcement agencies across the state.

The rate of major crimes per 1,000 people reported in Clarksville since 2002. Major crimes are categorized by TBI as Group A offenses, consisting of crimes such as murder, burglary and drug charges. (Chris Smith/Clarksville Now. Data source: CPD via TBI Crime In Tennessee publications)

Data shows that not only is crime declining in Clarksville, our city maintains the lowest crime rate among the six Tennessee cities over 100,000 population, and our crime rate is lower than the statewide figure.

“Clarksville’s overall crime rate has continued to decline year after year, even as our city experiences significant population growth,” Clarksville Police Department Chief Ty Burdine told Clarksville Now. “This progress is not accidental; it is the direct result of the hard work, dedication and proactive enforcement efforts of the men and women of this department.”

Clarksville crime rate declines

The crime rate dropped to 64.5 major crime reports per 1,000 residents in 2024, down from 65.9 in 2023. Major crimes are categorized by TBI as Group A offenses, consisting of crimes such as murder, burglary and drug charges.

Major crimes (Group A offenses) per 1,000 in Clarksville:

2020: 83.48
2021: 77.70
2022: 69.70
2023: 65.93
2024: 64.55

The local crime rate used to be far worse. From 2002 (the first year of data available) to 2009, the rate stayed above 100 per 1,000 residents, reaching a crime rate peak of 121 in 2007. That means Clarksville’s crime rate has dropped about 46% from where it was 18 years ago.

Clarksville crime numbers down

It’s not just the crime rate: The actual number of crimes is down as well.

The number of major crimes per 1,000 people reported in Clarksville since 2002. Major crimes are categorized by TBI as Group A offenses, consisting of crimes such as murder, burglary and drug charges. (Chris Smith/Clarksville Now. Data source: CPD via TBI Crime In Tennessee publications)

In total Group A offenses (murders, assaults, theft, drug charges), we had a high of 15,936 in 2017. Since then, it has steadily declined to below 12,000.

Total Group A offenses, total:

2020: 13,455
2021: 12,769
2022: 12,145
2023: 11,994
2024: 11,965

In aggravated assaults, we had a spike of 831 in 2018, dropping to 704 in 2022, and then to 613 last year.

The number of aggravated assaults reported in Clarksville since 2002. (Chris Smith/Clarksville Now. Data source: CPD via TBI Crime In Tennessee publications)

Aggravated assaults, number:

2020: 795
2021: 739
2022: 704
2023: 685
2024: 613

While Clarksville had 15 murders each year in 2020 and 2021, there were 9 in 2024.

Chief Burdine said the decline in crime can be attributed in part to strong relationships between police and the community.

“Crime is at some of the lowest levels we have seen because our officers know this community, they care deeply about protecting it, and they have built a strong reputation of trust and cooperation with our citizens,” Burdine said. “That partnership between the police and the community is one of the most important reasons Clarksville continues to be a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.”

Clarksville crime compared to others

Clarksville continues to have lowest crime rate in Tennessee compared to the state’s other largest cities, though crime rates can be affected by population density, city limits and other factors.

Major crimes (Group A offenses) per 1,000 in cities over 100,000 population, 2024:

Nashville (pop. 698,987): 112.63
Memphis (pop. 613,207): 180.74
Knoxville (pop. 200,457): 84.35
Chattanooga (pop. 188,894): 96.49
Clarksville (pop. 185,349): 64.55
Murfreesboro (pop. 169,520): 72.12

Our crime rate is also just lower than the statewide crime rate, which is 65.61.

Percentage of crimes cleared

We also compare well in the percentage of crimes cleared by an arrest, with only Knoxville having a higher success rate. And our clearance rate is more than double what it was in 2002.