In recent years, crime rates have been a concerning topic in the United States, and Tennessee has found itself among the states facing alarming crime statistics.

Violent Crime Reports in the US

According to data from the FBI, the U.S. reported roughly 379 violent crimes per 100,000 people in 2019. Among these offenses, aggravated assault emerged as the most common crime, followed by robbery, rape, murder, and non-negligent manslaughter.

Violent Crime on the Rise in Recent Years

Based on the available data, the U.S. experienced an alarming rise in the murder rate of nearly 30% from 2019 to 2020, marking the most significant single-year increase ever recorded. Though the number of homicides increased by 4.3% in 2021, it reportedly decreased by a similar amount in 2022.

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Key Takeaways from the Analysis:

  1. New Jersey ranks as the safest state overall, while Nevada takes the lead as the most dangerous state in the country.
  2. Assaults account for the most common crime committed against individuals (91.49%).
  3. Arkansas stands out with the highest number of assaults compared to any other state (nearly 214 per every 10,000 people).
  4. Alaska reports the highest rates of sex offenses, human trafficking, kidnapping, and abductions.

How the Data is Analysed

The analysis of "crimes against persons" relies on data from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which considers various crime types and assigns weights to each. Homicide offenses carry the highest weight (50%), followed by kidnapping/abduction (11%), human trafficking offenses (11%), sex offenses (20%), and assaults (8%).

 

Contributing Factors to Crime Rates

Various factors contribute to crime rates, including the quality of parenting, attachment, supervision, discipline, and exposure to deviant behavior during upbringing. Other risk factors include poor school performance, association with delinquent peers, alcohol consumption, and illicit drug use.

A Correlation Between Poverty and High Crime Rates

Geographic regions with higher crime rates often experience issues like poverty, unemployment, and income inequality, leading to a breakdown in informal social control and an increase in crime concentration. The percentage of women in the labor force and the availability of firearms can also influence crime rates in specific areas.

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Where Does Tennessee Rank on the List

According to the analysis, most of the states with the lowest prevalence of crimes against individuals are located in the Northeastern U.S., including New Jersey, Vermont, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. In contrast, five of the top ten states with the highest prevalence of such crimes are in the Southern United States, including Tennessee taking the number 4 spot most dangerous state.

The top ten states for most crimes committed against people, according to the data analysis done by Innerbody.com are:

  1. Nevada
  2. New Mexico
  3. Arkansas
  4. Tennessee
  5. Alaska
  6. Alabama
  7. South Carolina
  8. North Dakota
  9. Texas
  10. South Dakota

Tennessee's ranking as one of the most dangerous states in America calls for continued efforts to address underlying issues contributing to crime and enhance public safety. Understanding the factors involved and working towards community-based solutions can pave the way for a safer future for all residents.

[Source: Innerbody.com]

LOOK: Most dangerous states to drive in

Stacker used the Federal Highway Administration's 2020 Highway Statistics report to rank states by the fatalities per billion miles traveled. 

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