A+
83%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
81%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
83%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2023 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2024; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleIndependence/100k peopleKentucky/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime118n/a (estimate)3991,7762,281
Murder1n/a3.46.15.7
Rape6n/a20.333.538.0
Robbery1n/a3.439.266.5
Assault13n/a43.9145.6264.1
Violent crime21n/a (estimate)71224364
Burglary8n/a27.0232.4250.7
Theft71n/a239.81,035.01,347.2
Vehicle theft18n/a60.8284.6318.7
Property crime97n/a (estimate)3281,5521,917

An Overview of Crime Rates in Independence, KY

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Independence crime rate is 81.4% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Independence, there were 20 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 68 per 100,000 individuals, 81.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, Independence recorded 106 property crimes, amounting to 363 per 100,000 residents, 81.4% lower than the U.S. average.

Independence enjoys a remarkably low crime rate, standing at just 431, a significant contrast to the national average of 2324. This distinction firmly establishes Independence as one of the safest places to reside in the entire United States. This crime rate is meticulously calculated, taking into account the total occurrences of both violent and property crimes per 100,000 individuals, providing a comprehensive perspective on the area's safety and livability.

Independence distinguishes itself with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the U.S., reporting a mere 68 violent crimes per 100,000 people. This achievement firmly establishes Independence among the safest cities in the nation, rendering it an alluring choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

The property crime rates per 100,000 individuals have shown a steady decrease of more than 50% since 1990, with a slight uptick in recent years. The most recent crime data reveals that Independence records a property crime rate of 363 incidents per 100,000 people, significantly lower than the national average of 1954. This underscores Independence as an exceptionally secure and attractive residential destination, highlighting its unwavering dedication to fostering safety and community well-being.

Is Independence a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Independence is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Independence has a total crime rate that is 81% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.35 daily crimes (0.05 violent daily crimes and 0.29 daily property crimes) in Independence.

Has Crime in Independence Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Independence. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Independence has increased by 10.5%. Violent crimes have decreased by 13%, while property crimes have increased by 16.5%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Potential Causes for Crime in Independence

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Independence crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Independence has an unemployment rate of 2.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Independence, the cost of living is 1% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Independence is $179,700, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Independence crime map



The Independence crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Independence as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Independence crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Independence crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Independence, KY Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Independence crime rates are 83% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Independence are 81% lower than the national average
      • In Independence you have a 1 in 251 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Independence is safer than 89% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Independence has increased by 3%

      Independence, KY Crime Quiz

      • 1. Which city in Kentucky has the least crime per 100,000 people?
      • 2. Which city in Kentucky has the most crime per 100,000 people?
      • 3. How many crimes (per 100,000 people) occur in Independence each year?
      • 4. Is the Independence crime rate higher or lower than the Kentucky average?
      • 5. Independence is safer than 63% of all other cities in Kentucky.
       
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      Daily Crime In Independence (per 100,000 people)

      The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Independence, KY per 100,000 people. In Independence, the total number of daily crimes is 4.46 times less than the Kentucky average and 5.72 times less than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Independence is 3.16 times less than the Kentucky average and 5.13 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Independence has a daily crime rate that is 4.74 times less than the Kentucky average and 5.85 times less than the national average.

      How Safe is Independence (higher is better)

      Compared to the other cities in Kentucky and all other cities across the US, is Independence safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Independence is safer than 63% of other cities in the state of Kentucky. In addition, Independence is safer than 89% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Kentucky and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Independence. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Independence is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

      Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Independence

      The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Independence is 1 in 1410
      The chance of being a victim of property crime in Independence is 1 in 306
      The chance of being a victim of crime in Independence is 1 in 251
      How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Independence, Kentucky you have a 1 in 1410 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 306 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 251 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Independence.

      Year Over Year Crime In Independence (per 100,000 people)

      An ideal indicator of whether Independence is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Independence has decreased by 9% and the rate of property crime in Independence has increased by 6%. The total crime rate in Independence has increased by 3% year to year.

      Independence police department

      Item Independence Kentucky National
      Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)325,359558,732
      Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.32.83.3
      There are a total of 32 Independence police officers. This results in 1.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 54% less than the Kentucky average and 60.5% less than the National average.

      Sex offenders in Kentucky

      State Total offenders Kentucky /100K National /100K
      Kentucky9,099222266
      There are a total of 9,099 sex offenders in Kentucky. This yields a total of 222 sex offenders in Kentucky per 100,000 residents which is 17% less than the national average.

      Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

      City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
      Mariemont, OH3,4450205205
      Verona, KY1,22231218249
      Coldstream, OH1,38340237278
      North Bend, OH1,03840237278
      Terrace Park, OH2,25445265310
      Claryville, KY2,89640276315
      Crestview Hills, KY3,31043296338
      Independence, KY28,11971328399

      Cities with similar population

      City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
      Hobart, IN28,120892,0762,165
      Eagle, ID28,145101350451
      Newburgh, NY28,1461,0792,7463,824
      Greenville, TX28,0882211,2971,518
      Oakleaf Plantation, FL28,1532351,2261,461
      Independence, KY28,11971328399
      Source: The Independence, KY crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2023. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.