Tenn. fares poorly in latest crime stats... (Jackson, Columbia: crime rate, universities)

[kamoshika]

Earlier this week the FBI released the 2006 edition of Crime in the United States, a statistical compilation of offense and arrest data as reported by law enforcement agencies throughout the nation.

Tennessee's violent crime rate of 760 per 100,000 inhabitants is the 3rd highest nationally, trailing only the District of Columbia & South Carolina, and is 60.7% higher than the national average of 473. (Note: Retirement meccas Nevada & Florida rank 4th and 5th, respectively.)

Tennessee's property crime rate of 4,128 per 100,000 ranks 6th nationally (behind DC, South Carolina, Washington, Arizona, & Hawaii) and is 23.8% higher than the national average of 3,334.
Table 5 - Crime in the United States 2006 (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/data/table_05.html - broken link)

2006 crime stats for most Tenn. cities & towns can be found here:
Table 8 (Tennessee) - Crime in the United States 2006 (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/data/table_08_tn.html - broken link)

In their related press release, the FBI included this cautionary statement:

Note: Caution Against Ranking—Each year when Crime in the United States is published, some entities use reported figures to compile rankings of cities and counties. These rough rankings provide no insight into the numerous variables that mold crime in a particular town, city, county, state, or region. Consequently, they lead to simplistic and/or incomplete analyses that often create misleading perceptions adversely affecting communities and their residents. Valid assessments are possible only with careful study and analysis of the range of unique conditions affecting each local law enforcement jurisdiction. The data user is, therefore, cautioned against comparing statistical data of individual reporting units from cities, metropolitan areas, states, or colleges or universities solely on the basis of their population coverage or student enrollment.
Federal Bureau of Investigation - Press Release (http://www.fbi.gov/pressrel/pressrel07/cius092407.htm - broken link)

They go into more detail here RE: the many variables that can play into these statistics: Variables Affecting Crime - Crime in the United States 2006 (http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2006/about/variables_affecting_crime.html - broken link)

[Mike in TN]

I see my hometown of Jackson did not dissapoint!

[LauraC]

Excellent info! Thank you.