Sevierville, Tennessee is a gorgeous mountain valley town that’s located in the foothills of the very popular Great Smoky Mountains. It is because of these mountains and the beauty of the surrounding area that Sevierville has grown to become a very bustling tourist community in which a whole host of activities, lodgings, and dining spots beckon for visitors.
Of course, as wonderful as Sevierville is, it is natural for those visiting any new place to wonder just how safe it is. The following is a look at what you should know about this mountain town in terms of safety and how to keep you and your traveling group safe when visiting:
Understanding the Crime Rates of Sevierville
The most important thing to be mindful of with Sevierville is that it is a tourist destination. Over 12 million people visit the nearby Great Smoky Mountains National Park and a good many of those visitors go through Sevierville on that trip. Whether that’s just to fuel up a tank of gas or to spend the week at in-town lodgings and attractions, the point is this town gets pretty busy with people who may not necessarily know exactly where they’re going or what’s around. This is the exact type of scenario that draws in petty thieves who focus on property crime.
- Total Crime Index: 3 (according to Neighborhood Scout)
Sevierville, Tennessee, while overall very safe from violent crime, the city does rank slightly above the national average for non-violent property crimes. The majority of crimes that occur here involve theft, burglary, and car break-ins. This is in line with other high tourist traffic so that while the property crime rates do skew high when looked at per resident data, it is important to remember most of this is due to the millions of people visiting the city each month.
So yes, while there is crime in this community, it is the type of crime that can be avoided by taking the correct precautions with items and being generally situationally aware.
Being Aware of Safety Night vs Day
To be situationally aware of your surroundings, you need to understand all the factors that might go into you becoming a target of crime. Now, this is not meant to victim blame! But certainly, there are things, places, and other factors that go into making one more likely to be a target of property crime than not. After all, Sevierville has its own heightened risk because of how many tourists come through and cannot be compared to say a small Midwestern town that sees no significant annual tourists outside of visiting family and friends. When it comes to visiting tourist communities like Sevierville, TN safely, one thing to look at is the difference between night and day.
During the day in Sevierville, the crime rate is generally lower as the city does keep a pretty visible police presence. This is especially true in tourist-heavy areas of the city, such as the larger shopping centers and entertainment zones. So, overall, families are apt to find daytime activities in public spaces generally safe. However, we do recommend taking normal precautions like always locking vehicles and never leaving valuables in plain view when you’re away (such as leaving a purse on the front seat of a locked car).
During the night in Sevierville, the crime rate is a touch higher. While this city certainly does not become a massive high-crime zone where nowhere is safe, we certainly do recommend that visitors exercise much more caution after dark.
Stay in well-lit and populated areas, don’t leave your valuables in your car, and avoid walking in unfamiliar areas alone or in smaller groups.
Choosing the Most Secure Neighborhoods to Stay In
Naturally, hotels, resorts, and similar lodgings are the most secure spots to stay in Sevierville, TN. This is because having one building with limited door access and on-site security and security systems greatly reduces the chances of crime. That said, not everyone wants to stay in resorts and some like to stay more in the broader community. If you are looking at smaller vacation lodgings, such as mountain cabins, then there are some communities that are considered overall safer than others.
For example, Wears Valley, located just outside of the city, is well-known for its beautiful mountain views, upscale luxury cabins, and lower crime rate. This may be a great choice for those looking for a more romantic vacation for two. Or, if you are traveling with a family with young kids, consider the suburban area of Boyds Creek. Also boasting a lower crime rate than in-town Sevierville, this neighborhood features a more family-friendly vibe and easy access to popular attractions.
Comparing Sevierville to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge
Sevierville is part of what can be called the “tourist triangle” or “tourist tri-city” area, with Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge making up the two others in this three-city area. All three communities lie pretty close to each other and have similar personalities. When comparing the crime rates in those cities and Sevierville, you are going to find things pretty similar with a few key differences.
- Gatlinburg Total Crime Index: 5 (according to Neighborhood Scout)
- Pigeon Forge Total Crime Index: 3 (according to Neighborhood Scout)
Gatlinburg, being more of a nightlife city than Sevierville or Pigeon Forge, has a slightly higher violent crime rate than either. Meanwhile, Pigeon Forge, known primarily for Dollywood and family-focused entertainment, has a slightly lower overall crime rate than both Sevierville and Gatlinburg.
Final Verdict? Sevierville is Waiting for You!
In the end, while yes, there is crime in Sevierville, the vast majority of tourists who visit this community experience no issues throughout their stay. When crime does occur, it is typically non-violent, property-related and concentrated to certain areas and times (such as evening and on the outskirts of busier areas). For those concerned about property crime, we recommend investing in travel insurance and following crime avoidance steps like keeping valuables locked in your hotel room when not immediately on your person.
For more information on where best to stay, dine, and find entertainment in Sevierville, be sure to check out our other pages!
