Kentucky's 25 Most Dangerous Cities in Violent Crime - Updated 2023

Unmasking Kentucky's Challenges: Exploring the 25 Least Safe Cities in violent crime

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world filled with both promise and peril, understanding the areas where safety concerns loom large becomes crucial. Join us on an eye-opening expedition as we uncover the 25 most dangerous cities across Kentucky. From bustling urban hubs to underprivileged neighborhoods, these communities grapple with security challenges that demand attention.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in Kentucky is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in Kentucky. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in Kentucky.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in Kentucky with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within Kentucky. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#25 Murray

County: Calloway

157

Crime per 100,000 population

-47.42%

vs. Kentucky average

-61.31%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Murray from 2012 to 2022

Murray is an area in Calloway, Kentucky with population of 17,241. The violent crime rate in Murray is based on the nearest law agency agency, Murray Police Department (KY0180100). Murray violent crime rate is 157 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Murray

#24 Elsmere

County: Kenton

161

Crime per 100,000 population

-46.04%

vs. Kentucky average

-60.3%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Elsmere from 2012 to 2022

Elsmere is an area in Kenton, Kentucky with population of 9,080. The violent crime rate in Elsmere is based on the nearest law agency agency, Elsmere Police Department (KY0590200). Elsmere violent crime rate is 161 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Elsmere

#23 Pikeville

County: Pike

161

Crime per 100,000 population

-45.88%

vs. Kentucky average

-60.18%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Pikeville from 2012 to 2022

Pikeville is an area in Pike, Kentucky with population of 7,376. The violent crime rate in Pikeville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Pikeville Police Department (KY0980100). Pikeville violent crime rate is 161 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Pikeville

#22 Versailles

County: Woodford

165

Crime per 100,000 population

-44.66%

vs. Kentucky average

-59.28%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Versailles from 2012 to 2022

Versailles is an area in Woodford, Kentucky with population of 10,196. The violent crime rate in Versailles is based on the nearest law agency agency, Versailles Police Department (KY1200100). Versailles violent crime rate is 165 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Versailles

#21 Leitchfield

County: Grayson

168

Crime per 100,000 population

-43.46%

vs. Kentucky average

-58.4%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Leitchfield from 2012 to 2022

Leitchfield is an area in Grayson, Kentucky with population of 6,427. The violent crime rate in Leitchfield is based on the nearest law agency agency, Leitchfield Police Department (KY0430100). Leitchfield violent crime rate is 168 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Leitchfield

#20 Paris

County: Bourbon

169

Crime per 100,000 population

-43.2%

vs. Kentucky average

-58.21%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Paris from 2012 to 2022

Paris is an area in Bourbon, Kentucky with population of 10,202. The violent crime rate in Paris is based on the nearest law agency agency, Paris Police Department (KY0090100). Paris violent crime rate is 169 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Paris

#19 Elizabethtown

County: Hardin

171

Crime per 100,000 population

-42.65%

vs. Kentucky average

-57.8%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Elizabethtown from 2012 to 2022

Elizabethtown is an area in Hardin, Kentucky with population of 78,446. The violent crime rate in Elizabethtown is based on the nearest law agency agency, Elizabethtown Police Department (KY0470100). Elizabethtown violent crime rate is 171 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Elizabethtown

#18 Fort Knox

County: Hardin

175

Crime per 100,000 population

-41.36%

vs. Kentucky average

-56.86%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Fort Knox from 2012 to 2022

Fort Knox is an area in Hardin, Kentucky with population of 8,888. The violent crime rate in Fort Knox is based on the nearest law agency agency, Muldraugh Police Department (KY0820200). Fort Knox violent crime rate is 175 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Fort Knox

#17 London

County: Laurel

177

Crime per 100,000 population

-40.41%

vs. Kentucky average

-56.16%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in London from 2012 to 2022

London is an area in Laurel, Kentucky with population of 7,492. The violent crime rate in London is based on the nearest law agency agency, London Police Department (KY0630100). London violent crime rate is 177 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in London

#16 St. Matthews

County: Jefferson

185

Crime per 100,000 population

-37.93%

vs. Kentucky average

-54.34%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in St. Matthews from 2012 to 2022

St. Matthews is an area in Jefferson, Kentucky with population of 17,588. The violent crime rate in St. Matthews is based on the nearest law agency agency, St. Matthews Police Department (KY0560300). St. Matthews violent crime rate is 185 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in St. Matthews

#15 Nicholasville

County: Jessamine

186

Crime per 100,000 population

-37.43%

vs. Kentucky average

-53.97%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Nicholasville from 2012 to 2022

Nicholasville is an area in Jessamine, Kentucky with population of 31,066. The violent crime rate in Nicholasville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Nicholasville Police Department (KY0570100). Nicholasville violent crime rate is 186 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Nicholasville

#14 Dayton

County: Campbell

202

Crime per 100,000 population

-32.33%

vs. Kentucky average

-50.22%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Dayton from 2012 to 2022

Dayton is an area in Campbell, Kentucky with population of 5,641. The violent crime rate in Dayton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Dayton Police Department (KY0190300). Dayton violent crime rate is 202 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Dayton

#13 Union

County: Boone

202

Crime per 100,000 population

-32.17%

vs. Kentucky average

-50.1%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Union from 2012 to 2022

Union is an area in Boone, Kentucky with population of 7,227. The violent crime rate in Union is based on the nearest law agency agency, Florence Police Department (KY0080200). Union violent crime rate is 202 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Union

#12 Oakbrook

County: Boone

202

Crime per 100,000 population

-32.17%

vs. Kentucky average

-50.1%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Oakbrook from 2012 to 2022

Oakbrook is an area in Boone, Kentucky with population of 9,883. The violent crime rate in Oakbrook is based on the nearest law agency agency, Florence Police Department (KY0080200). Oakbrook violent crime rate is 202 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Oakbrook

#11 Florence

County: Boone

202

Crime per 100,000 population

-32.17%

vs. Kentucky average

-50.1%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Florence from 2012 to 2022

Florence is an area in Boone, Kentucky with population of 31,699. The violent crime rate in Florence is based on the nearest law agency agency, Florence Police Department (KY0080200). Florence violent crime rate is 202 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Florence

#10 Maysville

County: Mason

216

Crime per 100,000 population

-27.46%

vs. Kentucky average

-46.63%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Maysville from 2012 to 2022

Maysville is an area in Mason, Kentucky with population of 8,851. The violent crime rate in Maysville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Maysville Police Department (KY0810100). Maysville violent crime rate is 216 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Maysville

#9 Princeton

County: Caldwell

223

Crime per 100,000 population

-25.03%

vs. Kentucky average

-44.85%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Princeton from 2012 to 2022

Princeton is an area in Caldwell, Kentucky with population of 6,206. The violent crime rate in Princeton is based on the nearest law agency agency, Princeton Police Department (KY0170100). Princeton violent crime rate is 223 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Princeton

#8 Campbellsville

County: Taylor

262

Crime per 100,000 population

-12.21%

vs. Kentucky average

-35.41%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Campbellsville from 2012 to 2022

Campbellsville is an area in Taylor, Kentucky with population of 11,345. The violent crime rate in Campbellsville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Campbellsville Police Department (KY1090100). Campbellsville violent crime rate is 262 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Campbellsville

#7 Vine Grove

County: Hardin

281

Crime per 100,000 population

-5.86%

vs. Kentucky average

-30.74%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Vine Grove from 2012 to 2022

Vine Grove is an area in Hardin, Kentucky with population of 6,397. The violent crime rate in Vine Grove is based on the nearest law agency agency, Radcliff Police Department (KY0470200). Vine Grove violent crime rate is 281 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Vine Grove

#6 Radcliff

County: Hardin

281

Crime per 100,000 population

-5.86%

vs. Kentucky average

-30.74%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Radcliff from 2012 to 2022

Radcliff is an area in Hardin, Kentucky with population of 22,839. The violent crime rate in Radcliff is based on the nearest law agency agency, Radcliff Police Department (KY0470200). Radcliff violent crime rate is 281 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Radcliff

#5 Mayfield

County: Graves

297

Crime per 100,000 population

-0.23%

vs. Kentucky average

-26.6%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Mayfield from 2012 to 2022

Mayfield is an area in Graves, Kentucky with population of 10,041. The violent crime rate in Mayfield is based on the nearest law agency agency, Mayfield Police Department (KY0420100). Mayfield violent crime rate is 297 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Mayfield

#4 Lexington

County: Fayette

324

Crime per 100,000 population

+8.65%

vs. Kentucky average

-20.07%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Lexington from 2012 to 2022

Lexington is an area in Fayette, Kentucky with population of 321,354. The violent crime rate in Lexington is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lexington Police Department (KY0340200). Lexington violent crime rate is 324 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Lexington

#3 Newport

County: Campbell

365

Crime per 100,000 population

+22.24%

vs. Kentucky average

-10.07%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Newport from 2012 to 2022

Newport is an area in Campbell, Kentucky with population of 14,378. The violent crime rate in Newport is based on the nearest law agency agency, Newport Police Department (KY0190600). Newport violent crime rate is 365 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Newport

#2 Shively

County: Jefferson

474

Crime per 100,000 population

+58.91%

vs. Kentucky average

+16.91%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Shively from 2012 to 2022

Shively is an area in Jefferson, Kentucky with population of 15,638. The violent crime rate in Shively is based on the nearest law agency agency, Shively Police Department (KY0560400). Shively violent crime rate is 474 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Shively

#1 Louisville

County: Jefferson

669

Crime per 100,000 population

+124.06%

vs. Kentucky average

+64.84%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of violent crime rate in Louisville from 2012 to 2022

Louisville is an area in Jefferson, Kentucky with population of 1,022,630. The violent crime rate in Louisville is based on the nearest law agency agency, West Buechel Police Department (KY0560600). Louisville violent crime rate is 669 per 100,000 population, compared to Kentucky average of 298.65 per 100,000 population and United States average of 405.94 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Louisville

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in Kentucky

Safety Tips for Violent Crime in Kentucky

Explore More on Crime Rates in Kentucky

Interested in learning more about crime rates in Kentucky? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in Kentucky for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in Kentucky.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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