Safest cities in Kentucky

Known as the 'Bluegrass State,' Kentucky is famous for its rolling hills, horse farms, and rich cultural heritage. Located in the southeastern United States, Kentucky offers a diverse landscape that includes the Appalachian Mountains, fertile farmlands, and extensive cave systems. The state's economy is driven by industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and tourism. Louisville, the state's largest city, is renowned for the Kentucky Derby, a premier horse racing event held annually. Kentucky is also known for its bourbon distilleries, historic sites, and vibrant music scene, particularly bluegrass music.

The safest cities in Kentucky provide a high quality of life, with low crime rates enhancing overall livability. Safety is a fundamental aspect of strong communities, promoting economic growth and social stability. Factors contributing to the safety of Kentucky's cities include effective law enforcement, community involvement, and proactive public safety measures. These cities are ranked based on total crime per 100,000 people, providing a clear and accurate assessment of safety. This focus on security allows residents to fully enjoy Kentucky's natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and cultural amenities without the constant worry of crime, making the state an appealing place to live.

Taylor Mill Population: 6,805 279 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 235 chance of being a victim: 1 in 359

Taylor Mill proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Kentucky. With only 279 crimes per 100,000 people, Taylor Mill has a crime rate that is 93% lower than the Kentucky average. This equates to an average of 0.05 crimes per day and a 1 in 359 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Erlanger Population: 19,106 344 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 58 Property Crime / 100k: 286 chance of being a victim: 1 in 291

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Erlanger comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Kentucky with a crime rate of 344 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 46 counts of burglary, 178 counts of theft, 62 counts of vehicle theft, 33 counts of assault, 4 counts of robbery, 21 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Erlanger, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Independence Population: 28,119 431 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 363 chance of being a victim: 1 in 232

With a population of 28,119 and a total crime rate of 431 per 100,000 residents, Independence is the 3rd safest city in Kentucky. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 71% lower than the Kentucky average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Flatwoods Population: 7,143 498 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 429 chance of being a victim: 1 in 201

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Flatwoods is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 498, 93% lower than the Kentucky average. This amounts to 0.10 crimes per day and a 1 in 201 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Flatwoods a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Edgewood Population: 8,779 538 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 538 chance of being a victim: 1 in 186

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Edgewood consistently ranks high in safety. In Edgewood, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 538, which is 92% lower than the state average.

Fort Thomas Population: 16,335 559 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 23 Property Crime / 100k: 536 chance of being a victim: 1 in 179

Fort Thomas has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Kentucky. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 559 crimes per 100,000 people, 83% lower than the Kentucky average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 58 reports of burglary, 431 reports of theft, 47 reports of vehicle theft, 17 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 6 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Vine Grove Population: 6,234 585 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 58 Property Crime / 100k: 526 chance of being a victim: 1 in 171

Vine Grove ranks as the seventh safest city in Kentucky and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 171 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.11 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Vine Grove’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Kentucky.

Lawrenceburg Population: 11,416 616 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 84 Property Crime / 100k: 531 chance of being a victim: 1 in 162

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Lawrenceburg is the 8th safest city in Kentucky. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 88% lower than the Kentucky average, reporting a total of 616 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Mount Washington Population: 14,699 624 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 49 Property Crime / 100k: 575 chance of being a victim: 1 in 160

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Mount Washington is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Kentucky, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 624 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 82% lower than the state average.

Wilmore Population: 6,339 658 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 625 chance of being a victim: 1 in 152

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Kentucky, is Wilmore. With a low rate of crime that included 66 burglaries, 543 thefts, 16 vehicle thefts, 0 assaults, 16 robberies, 16 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Kentucky

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Taylor Mill	6,805	44	235	279
2	Erlanger	19,106	58	286	344
3	Independence	28,119	68	363	431
4	Flatwoods	7,143	69	429	498
5	Edgewood	8,779	0	538	538
6	Fort Thomas	16,335	23	536	559
7	Vine Grove	6,234	58	526	585
8	Lawrenceburg	11,416	84	531	616
9	Mount Washington	14,699	49	575	624
10	Wilmore	6,339	33	625	658
11	Highland Heights	7,372	59	604	663
12	Fort Wright	5,766	120	567	687
13	Villa Hills	7,475	27	763	791
14	Fort Mitchell	8,278	23	845	868
15	Versailles	9,251	70	907	976
16	Dayton	5,550	176	827	1,003
17	Madisonville	18,801	98	917	1,016
18	Elizabethtown	30,179	123	894	1,017
19	Cynthiana	6,270	78	949	1,027
20	Williamsburg	5,266	187	841	1,028
21	Harrodsburg	8,480	98	978	1,076
22	Cold Spring	6,481	64	1,116	1,180
23	Paris	9,776	88	1,189	1,278
24	Bellevue	5,786	0	1,283	1,283
25	Elsmere	8,617	109	1,179	1,289
26	Shelbyville	16,244	120	1,173	1,293
27	Berea	15,773	105	1,202	1,306
28	Lebanon	5,960	170	1,159	1,329
29	Alexandria	9,600	77	1,325	1,402
30	Monticello	5,999	158	1,249	1,407
31	La Grange	8,938	155	1,314	1,469
32	Danville	16,801	133	1,345	1,478
33	Georgetown	34,362	113	1,397	1,510
34	Hillview	9,066	149	1,491	1,640
35	Campbellsville	11,370	121	1,541	1,663
36	Princeton	6,087	162	1,502	1,664
37	Murray	19,254	131	1,645	1,777
38	Bardstown	13,169	139	1,670	1,809
39	Nicholasville	30,549	132	1,713	1,844
40	Shepherdsville	13,757	194	1,662	1,856
41	Leitchfield	6,789	187	1,694	1,881
42	Covington	40,466	268	1,751	2,019
43	Morehead	7,653	242	1,778	2,020
44	Glasgow	14,394	165	1,895	2,060
45	Somerset	11,548	247	1,857	2,104
46	Frankfort	27,705	231	1,936	2,167
47	Henderson	28,469	244	2,036	2,280
48	Richmond	35,744	180	2,131	2,311
49	Corbin	7,558	271	2,048	2,319
50	Maysville	8,752	115	2,295	2,410

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Kentucky is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Kentucky cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.