Memphis, TN – July 22, 2026 – Based on preliminary data from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) released by the University of Memphis Public Safety Institute and the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission, reported crime continued a steady decline during the first half of 2026 compared to 2025 and other previous years.

Major violent crime includes the categories of murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. In Memphis, the major violent crime rate dropped 31.5 percent compared to 2025 and 30.4 percent countywide. Every category declined.

2011 had been the most recent year with the lowest violent crime rate. The first half of 2026 was lower than the first half of 2011 – by 5.2 percent in Memphis and 8.7 percent throughout Shelby County. Violent crime peaked in 2023. Compared to the first half of 2023, the violent crime rate has plummeted by 45.0 percent in Memphis and 44.0 percent in all of Shelby County.

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