Kingsport Spirit

First in a Series

When you search for crime rates in Tennessee, the numbers can seem surprising. Cities like Kingsport often appear “less safe” on paper than they feel in real life. But here’s the truth: Tennessee has been holding itself to a higher standard of honesty for decades, which makes the numbers look inflated compared to the rest of the country.

Here’s why. Most states used to report crime using the FBI’s older system, which only counted the most serious offense in an incident. If a burglary also involved an assault and drug possession, it showed up as just one crime. Tennessee took a different path. As early as the 1990s, it switched to the FBI’s more detailed National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which counts every offense. That means Tennessee’s numbers looked higher, not because there was more crime, but because there was more honesty.

So what happens now? As of 2021, the FBI retired the old system, and every state is required to use NIBRS. For example, neighboring Virginia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and West Virginia are now measuring crime the same way Tennessee has for years. Over time, this will level the playing field—cities in other states will begin to show more accurate numbers, while Tennessee’s rates will finally be seen in context.

Even within Tennessee, there are variances. Not every city reports with the same rigor or consistency. Some smaller departments still lag behind in training, staffing, or system upgrades. But cities like Kingsport have gone above and beyond—not just reporting in full detail, but also holding themselves to the highest standards of national accreditation for law enforcement. How rare is that? Kingsport is 1 of only 18 municipalities in Tennessee, while there are 26 in Virginia, 50 in North Carolina, 18 in South Carolina, 29 in Georgia, 2 in Kentucky, and 3 in West Virginia.

That commitment means Kingsport’s numbers are among the most complete and transparent you’ll find anywhere in the country.

Even today, most of Kingsport’s reported crime is not violent. Residents consistently describe their city as family-friendly, safe, and welcoming, with strong schools, affordable living, and neighborhoods people are proud to call home.

For families moving from out of state, the takeaway is simple: Tennessee doesn’t inflate crime—it simply reports it more transparently. And in Kingsport, the real story isn’t told in statistics—it’s told in safe streets, caring neighbors, and a quality of life that numbers alone can’t capture.

Kingsport: A community where you can trust the numbers—and love the life.