Crime per Capita in Rutherford County
The map below displays the crime rate per 1,000 residents in Rutherford County.
Safest
Highest crime
Colorblind friendly
off
C+
Overall Crime Grade™
C+ |
|
B- |
|
Other Crime Grade |
C |
$160.6 million
Cost of Crime™ for Rutherford County, TN
In 2025, crime will cost $1,243 per household.
Crime Grade's crime map highlights the safest areas in Rutherford County in green, the most dangerous in red, and moderately safe areas in yellow. Crime rates on the map are weighted based on both the type and severity of the crime. For more information on how to interpret our crime maps, see the Interpreting the Crime Maps section below.
Is Rutherford County, TN Safe?
The C+ grade indicates that the rate of crime is about the same as that of the average US county. Rutherford County ranks in the 52nd percentile for safety, meaning it is safer than 52% of counties but less safe than 48%. This analysis applies only to Rutherford County's official city boundaries. See the table below for nearby counties.
The crime rate in Rutherford County is 29.50 per 1,000 residents in the typical year. Rutherford County Residents generally consider the west part of the county to be the safest. Your chance of being a victim of crime in Rutherford County varies by area - ranging from 1 in 26 in the east areas to 1 in 60 in the west.
When looking at total crime counts (rather than per capita rates), the northwest parts of Rutherford County, TN see the most incidents - about 3,048 per year. In contrast, the southwest part of the county has the fewest, with approximately 174 crimes annually.
The Cost of Crime™ in Rutherford County, TN
The total projected cost of crime in Rutherford County for 2025 is $160,646,994. This translates to approximately $438 per resident and $1,243 per household. On average, crime-related costs account for 1.2% of the median household income in Rutherford County. These figures reflect only tangible costs, which include the following:- Criminal justice system costs (law enforcement, courts, and imprisonment): 56.7%
- Direct costs to victims (damaged property, medical expenses, and lost wages): 31.1%
- Lost economic contribution from offenders (time in prison or repeat offenses): 12.1%
How Much Does Crime Cost in Rutherford County Compared to Other Counties?
| Rutherford County, TN: | $438 |
|---|---|
| Shelby County, TN: | $1497 |
| Montgomery County, TN: | $390 |
| Tennessee: | $694 |
| USA: | $464 |
The Cost of Crime per resident in Rutherford County is $438 per year, which is $26 less than the national average and $256 less than Tennessee's state average. Below we compare counties similar to Rutherford County:
- In Shelby County, TN, crime costs $1,497 per person, which is $1,059 more than in Rutherford County.
- In Montgomery County, TN, crime costs $390 per person, which is $48 less than in Rutherford County
2025 Projected Cost by Type of Crime
The table below shows the total cost of crime to the residents of Rutherford County for the year 2025 along with the projected cost per resident.Crime |
Cost to Rutherford County |
Cost per Rutherford County Resident |
|---|---|---|
Murder |
$39.5 million |
$108 |
Rape/Sexual Assault |
$15.6 million |
$42 |
Robbery |
$4.51 million |
$12 |
Assault |
$24.6 million |
$67 |
Kidnapping |
$6.65 million |
$18 |
Vehicle Theft |
$13.9 million |
$38 |
Burglary |
$5.36 million |
$15 |
Theft |
$19.9 million |
$54 |
Arson |
$939,337 |
$3 |
Vandalism |
$10.0 million |
$27 |
Animal Cruelty |
$191,995 |
$1 |
Drug Crimes |
$19.4 million |
$53 |
Identity Theft |
$150,545 |
$0 |
Total Cost of Crime |
$160,646,994 |
$438 |
The Intangible Cost of Crime in Rutherford County, TN
CrimeGrade primarily focuses on tangible costs, but the true impact of crime extends beyond economic. Pain and suffering for victims and their families are difficult to quantify, but research-based methodologies help estimate these effects. Using these methodologies, we calculate that the intangible cost of crime in Rutherford County totals $344,985,022 ($940 per resident). When added to the tangible costs, this brings the total estimated cost of crime to $505,632,016 ($1,378 per resident). All Cost of Crime facts are based on scholarly research done on the cost of crime. Read more about our methodology here.Interpreting the Crime Maps
When interpreting the Rutherford County crime map, keep in mind that crime rates are measured per resident. Areas with high visitor traffic, such as shopping districts, may appear to have higher crime rates simply because more crimes occur where people gather - even if few residents live there. For example, the northwest part of the county has more retail establishments, which can artificially inflate crime rates in that area. Red areas on the map do not necessarily mean a neighborhood is unsafe for residents.
More issues arise with places like airports, parks, and schools. Major airports always look like high-crime locations due to the large number of people and the low population nearby. Parks and designated recreational areas, of which Rutherford County has 32, have the same problem. Of Rutherford County’s 366,853 residents, few live near recreational areas. Because many people visit, crime rates may appear higher even for safe parks. Crime occurs where people gather, whether they live there or not. Before assuming an area is unsafe, consider both per-capita crime rates and total crime counts, as well as the types of destinations nearby.
To better understand and navigate these intricate crime maps, a high-speed internet connection can be crucial. Fast and seamless online connectivity ensures that map details load efficiently, providing users with clearer, uninterrupted insights. If you're considering enhancing your online experience, check out high speed internet in Rutherford County, TN at ISP Reports.Rutherford County Crime Breakdown
The tables below show which crimes are used to calculate the Crime Grades above. All crime rates are shown as the number of crimes per 1,000 Rutherford County residents in a standard year.
Violent Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Assault |
2.332 |
Robbery |
0.3907 |
Rape |
0.7001 |
Murder |
0.0573 |
Total Violent Crime |
3.480 (C+) |
Property Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Theft |
10.46 |
Vehicle Theft |
2.442 |
Burglary |
1.610 |
Arson |
0.1060 |
Total Property Crime |
14.62 (B-) |
Other Crime Rates
Crime Type |
Crime Rate |
|---|---|
Kidnapping |
0.2989 |
Drug Crimes |
7.141 |
Vandalism |
3.833 |
Identity Theft |
0.0530 |
Animal Cruelty |
0.0708 |
Total "Other" Rate |
11.40 (C) |
Individual Rutherford County Crime Maps & Stats
Crime Maps and Rates for Nearby Counties
Compared to surrounding counties, the rate of crime in Rutherford County is lower. The table below shows Crime Grades for counties close to Rutherford County.
Nearby County | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
B- | C- | B | |
B- | B- | B+ | |
C | C | B- | |
F | F | D- | |
C | D+ | C | |
B- | C- | B+ | |
C | C+ | C+ | |
C | C | C | |
B | B- | B+ | |
B- | B- | B |
Crime Maps and Rates for County with Similar Populations
Rutherford County is lower versus other counties of the same size for crime. The table below compares crime in counties with comparable overall population in the county‘s boundaries.
Similar County | Overall Crime Grade | Violent Crime Grade | Property Crime Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
C- | B+ | B+ | |
F | F | F | |
A+ | A+ | A+ | |
A | A | A | |
B- | C+ | C+ | |
A+ | A- | A- | |
F | F | F | |
D- | C | C | |
A+ | A | A | |
B+ | A+ | A+ |
Considering only the crime rate, Rutherford County is safer than the Tennessee state average and as safe as the national average.
Safety and school performance are separate topics, but both shape moving decisions. Using SchoolGrade data, schools in Rutherford County, TN average SchoolGrade of B, with 46% actual proficiency versus 42% projected; overall, schools exceed expectations. See Rutherford County schools on SchoolGrade
About the Data
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All maps and statistics above are projections, not certainties, and provided without guarantee free of charge. Verify all info before making any decisions based on the data.