VIOLENT CRIMEIn ChattanoogaShown in number of crimes per 100,000 residents, meaning they were victims of murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault.2002 — 1,513.52007 — 1,295.82012 — 993.9In Tennessee2002 — 716.92007 — 753.32012 — 643.6SOURCE: FBICOUNTY RATE IS BELOW STATE, CITYThe violent crime rate in unincorporated Hamilton County is 237.2 per 100,000 people, well below Chattanooga’s rate and the state average, according to U.S. Census and FBI data.
For a decade, Tennessee has been ranked among the nation’s 10 most violent states.
Now it tops the list.
And even though the city is safer than it was a decade ago based on the rate of violent crime, experts and city officials say the numbers in Tennessee and Chattanooga should be a wake-up call to residents.
Recently released FBI data show Tennessee had the highest per capita violent crime rate in the nation in 2012. Statistically, 643.6 out of every 100,000 residents were victims of murder, rape, robbery or aggravated assault.