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Crime in Murfreesboro, TN: A Look at 2024 Trends and Safety Considerations

If you're considering a move to Murfreesboro, Tennessee, especially with family or for your children's education, it's essential to understand the safety of the community. Below is an overview of the Murfreesboro Police Department's 2024 crime data, with some 2023 comparisons, to help you evaluate the landscape and consider what it means for your peace of mind.  I wasn't able to find comprehensive data for 2025 which is why this data is from last year.  For those interested in exploring more detailed crime data and gaining a deeper understanding of crime trends in Murfreesboro, I encourage you to visit https://crimeinsight.tbi.tn.gov/tops.

Overall Trends:

Murfreesboro saw decreases in many major crime categories in 2024. It is important to remember that no place is crime-free, understanding the specific types of crime and their context is key to assessing personal safety.

Violent Crime:

While all areas have violent crime, the type of incidents and their trends can offer valuable insight.

• Murder: There were only 5 reported incidents in 2024, down significantly (~62%) compared to 2023. The majority (3 of 5) occurred at residences. In all cases, a firearm was used. 2 victims were intimate partners of the offenders, while 2 were strangers.  The victims’ ages ranged as follows: two victims were between 18 and 24 years old, one victim was between 25 and 34, one victim was between 35 and 44, and one victim was between 45 and 54.
• Sex Offenses (Non-Consensual): These crimes saw a decrease of ~12% compared to 2023. These included rape (84 cases), forcible fondling (81 cases), non-consensual sodomy (7 cases), and sexual assault with an object (4 cases). The most common location for sex offenses was residences/homes. This includes instances between people that knew each other.  Of the 176 reported cases, 104 victims were under 24 years old, 33 were between 25 and 34, 18 were between 35 and 44, 11 were between 45 and 54, 10 were over 55.
• Aggravated Assault: These cases decreased by ~3% compared to the previous year. The day of the week with the highest occurrence was Sunday.  These assaults involved weapons, and most of the time, the victims knew their offender.  Most victims were under 35 years old.

Domestic Violence Offenses:

In 2024, there were 2,719 reported cases of domestic violence in Murfreesboro, involving violent or aggressive behavior within households or towards family members. Out of these, several of the cases were cleared or resolved. The number of domestic violence incidents decreased slightly by approximately 1.24% compared to the previous year.

• In 2024, domestic violence incidents in Murfreesboro involved various offenses. The most common was simple assault, with 1,792 victims. Other notable offenses included intimidation (498 victims), aggravated assault (195 victims), and kidnapping or abduction (150 victims). Cases also involved stalking, vandalism, sexual offenses such as rape and criminal sexual contact, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, and fraud. This breakdown highlights the range of domestic violence-related crimes reported in the area during the year. Domestic violence incidents in Murfreesboro encompassed a range of offenses. The most frequent was simple assault, with 1,792 victims. Other common offenses included intimidation (498 victims), aggravated assault (195 victims), and kidnapping or abduction (150 victims). The breakdown also shows reports of stalking, vandalism, various sexual assaults, burglary, theft, motor vehicle theft, murder, and fraud.  In 2024, law enforcement data shows that among arrestees, there were 113 men in total. Of these, 61 men were over the age of 35, while 52 men were under 35. These figures highlight the distribution of male suspects across different age groups, regardless of race, providing insight into age-related patterns in the local crime landscape.  In 2024, data indicates that among female arrestees, 50 were over the age of 35, while 28 were under 35. This distribution shows that a larger proportion of women arrested were age 35 or older, providing insight into age-related trends among female suspects in the area.

Non-Violent (Property) Crime:

These can affect anyone, but are generally non-threatening to personal safety.

• Burglary: There were 287 reported cases, a ~11% decrease from 2023. Most burglaries occurred at residences and commercial locations, and were non forced.
• Motor Vehicle Theft: There were 342 cases in 2024 which is a decrease of ~16% from 2023. Thefts occurred most often at residences and in parking lots/garages. Thefts happened more often in the evening and late night.
• Robbery: There were 51 reported cases in 2024, a 17.74% decrease from 2023. These robberies most frequently occurred at commercial locations on Saturday, Sunday or Monday.  Most often use of a fire arm or physical force is threatened but normally there was actually no injury made.
• Fraud: In 2024, Murfreesboro saw 1,259 reported cases of fraud, which is defined as intentionally misrepresenting the truth to induce someone to give up something of value or surrender a legal right. This represents a slight increase of 0.24% compared to 2023. The clearance rate for these cases was ~9%.  Of the reported fraud cases in Murfreesboro in 2024, the most common types were fraud through false pretenses (~73%), credit card/ATM fraud (~12%), and impersonation (~11%). Identity theft, wire fraud, computer hacking, and welfare fraud accounted for a smaller percentage of cases.  It happens most often from 6am-6pm.

Other Crimes:

• Weapon Law Violations: In 2024, there were about 175 cases of weapon law violations in Murfreesboro, involving the illegal manufacture, sale, possession, or use of firearms and other deadly weapons.  Compared to 2023, these violations decreased by approximately 8%.  The most common activity was possessing or concealing weapons, accounting for ~91% of cases. Other activities included using or consuming weapons (~5.6%), distributing or selling weapons (~2%), and cultivating or manufacturing weapons (~0.50%).  Weapon law violations in Murfreesboro occurred across a variety of locations. The highest number of cases, about 95, were on highways, roads, or alleys.  Other common locations included residential areas or homes (~15%), commercial areas (~13%), parking lots or garages (~12%), and educational facilities. Violations also took place in recreational spaces, construction sites, cyberspace, and other diverse locations.  The vast majority of the offenders were under 45 years of age.
• Drug/Narcotic Violations:  There were ~855 reported cases of drug and narcotic violations in the most recent year. These violations include activities such as the unlawful cultivation, manufacture, distribution, sale, purchase, use, possession, transportation, or importation of controlled substances.  Compared to 2023, drug-related violations have decreased by approximately 13%.  The most common activity was possessing or concealing drugs, accounting for ~86% of cases. Other notable offenses included using or consuming drugs (~5%), distributing or selling (~5%), and transporting or transmitting controlled substances (~1%). Less frequent activities involved buying or receiving drugs, cultivating or manufacturing substances, exploiting children, or operating/promoting related activities. In 2024, law enforcement seized a variety of drugs in Murfreesboro, with totals including:

Marijuana/Hashish: ~459 reports, totaling approximately 829.75 pounds.

Narcotics: ~282 reports, with about 3,849 pounds seized.

Stimulants: ~236 reports, roughly 1,296 pounds seized.

Other drugs (including depressants, hallucinogens, and unknown types): Smaller quantities, with notable reports on specific substances.

Seized drugs are measured in units such as grams, pounds, ounces, fluid ounces, gallons, and milliliters, indicating significant quantities of illicit substances recovered during this period.  The most frequent site was on highways, roads, or alleys, accounting for roughly 455 cases (~53%). Other common locations included commercial areas (~17%), parking lots or garages (~14%), and residences or homes (~8%). Violations also took place in government buildings, recreational spaces, educational facilities, and other unknown or diverse locations, reflecting the widespread nature of drug-related activity in the area.

• DUI:  DUI (Driving Under the Influence) involves operating a vehicle while impaired by alcohol or drugs. There have been 462 cases which is an increase of ~2% from 2023. The majority of arrestees being male (351) compared to females (111). The age groups primarily involved were 18-24 years (139 arrests) and 25-34 years (109 arrests).  There were 79 arrests related to drugs, and 112 arrests involved both alcohol and drugs. A very small number of cases had missing cause information and were unable to be classified.

What Does this Mean for You and Your Family?

• Decreasing Violent Crime: .  Crime in Murfreesboro in 2024 saw encouraging progress, with reductions in many major crime categories such as violent offenses, property crimes, and drug violations. The overall trend points to a safer community, with fewer incidents of murder, assault, and theft compared to previous years. While staying informed and cautious is always important, these positive trends reflect ongoing efforts by law enforcement and community members to enhance safety and quality of life. If you’re considering relocating to Murfreesboro, you can feel confident in the community’s commitment to safety. For more detailed information and updates, the city’s crime data resources are available online, helping residents stay informed and engaged.   Additionally, if you find a neighborhood you're interested in, consider talking with neighbors to get a better sense of the community. Joining local social media pages can also be helpful for staying connected and informed. Be sure to keep up with the latest neighborhood news and events so you can get a clear picture of what’s happening in the area before making the decision to buy a home there.
• Context is Important: While crime statistics offer valuable data and a general overview of crime in an area, they don't tell the whole story about safety and community well-being. The feeling of safety you experience depends on many factors, including strong community ties, effective policing, and how residents work together to look out for one another. For example, the statistics show that most crimes are committed by people who are known to their victims, which can provide some reassurance that these incidents often occur between familiar individuals, and not strangers lurking in the neighborhood. Understanding this context can help you make a more informed assessment of the safety of a community, giving you peace of mind that a neighborhood's overall atmosphere might be safer than raw numbers alone suggest.

Important Considerations:

• These statistics offer a snapshot of crime in Murfreesboro in 2024.
• For those interested in exploring more detailed crime data and gaining a deeper understanding of crime trends in Murfreesboro, I encourage you to visit https://crimeinsight.tbi.tn.gov/tops. The website offers a wealth of information, allowing you to see exactly what matters most to you and access additional details that may not be included in this article. It's a valuable resource for staying informed about community safety and crime patterns.
• College students and college towns often experience unique patterns of crime that are influenced by social behaviors, nightlife, and the environment. Common issues include alcohol and drug-related offenses such as DUIs, underage drinking, and substance violations. Property crimes like vandalism, theft, and burglaries can also be prevalent, especially in areas with high student populations or insufficient security measures. While less frequent, incidents of violence, such as assaults or robberies, may occur, often linked to alcohol or social disputes. Universities additionally face challenges related to sexual assault and harassment, which require ongoing awareness and prevention efforts. Cybercrimes like hacking and scams are also common among tech-savvy student populations. Nighttime activity and public disturbances can contribute to disorderly conduct, but many college towns are actively working to improve safety through increased policing, campus security, community programs, and student education. Understanding these crime patterns can help communities and students collaborate to create safer environments. For more detailed information and crime data related to college towns, local law enforcement agencies and crime portals offer valuable resources.

While I was doing the research for this blog I scrolled through the Murfreesboro PD's social media.  It was nice to see all the good they do (besides catching bad guys) and I was ashamed that I didn't know more about it before I started the research.  These are just a few things I found that they've done over the past year or so: MPD implemented the Real Time Crime Center equipped with gunshot detection services, license plate readers and public safety cameras, the Citizens Police Academy, the department also expanded its mental health co-responder program to assist individuals in crisis and also connect them with treatment and support.  The Murfreesboro Police Department's School Safety Division received the Model SRO Agency Award from the National Association.   I also found an initiative they are trying to push although I don't know how much they're pushing it since I've not heard of it but it's a 9PM Routine initiative for citizens (you and me).   This is  what I found:

9PM Every Night

Lock your car and remove all valuables!

 Double check doors and windows

 Turn on outside lights

 Close your garage

 Set alarms

Murfreesboro is a vibrant, growing community that offers a welcoming environment for families, students, and newcomers alike. The city made significant strides in reducing major crimes in 2024, including violent offenses, property crimes, and drug violations, reflecting ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the community to enhance safety. While no place is entirely free of crime, these positive trends demonstrate Murfreesboro’s commitment to creating a safe and livable city. As a local realtor, I’m here to help you find the perfect home in this friendly community. Whether you’re just beginning your move or looking to settle down, I’d love to assist, give me a call or text at 615-617-9937. Murfreesboro offers a wonderful place to live, learn, and grow, and I look forward to helping you become part of its thriving community.