B-
14%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
49%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
26%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleAshland/100k peopleKentucky/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime566n/a (estimate)2,6571,6632,324
Murder2n/a9.46.86.3
Rape12n/a56.333.840.0
Robbery6n/a28.238.166.1
Assault20n/a93.9135.4268.2
Violent crime40n/a (estimate)188214370
Burglary76n/a356.8244.8269.8
Theft394n/a1,849.8989.81,401.9
Vehicle theft56n/a262.9214.2282.7
Property crime526n/a (estimate)2,4691,4491,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Ashland, KY

The Ashland crime rates are 14.3% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 40 violent crimes in Ashland (188 per 100,000 people), which is 49.2% lower than the national average and there were a total of 526 property crimes (2469 per 100,000 residents) which is 26.4% higher than average.

When evaluating the Ashland crime rate for every 100,000 residents, it positions itself in the middle range among all cities that reported crime. Our examination of total offenses, spanning both violent and property crimes, indicates that the reported Ashland crime rates closely correspond to the national average reported by other regions.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Ashland?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Ashland. Based on the results of the surveys (18 responses), 22% of people felt that there was very little crime in Ashland and felt safe walking alone at night. While 78% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Ashland a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Ashland a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Ashland crime rate is 14% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 1.55 crimes per day - 0.11 violent crimes and 1.44 property crimes.

Has Crime in Ashland Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Ashland has decreased by 7.8%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Ashland, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 5.3%, while property crime has decreased by 8.7%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Ashland is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Ashland

In Ashland, the poverty rate currently stands at 21.2%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Ashland crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Ashland, the cost of living is 12.52% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Law enforcement and community policing efforts can play a pivotal role in shaping crime rates. Establishing a robust and cooperative partnership between the police and the community can act as a deterrent to criminal behavior and enhance overall safety. In Ashland, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents differs from the national average, with 2.44 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents compared to 3.25 nationally. Effective law enforcement often hinges on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and collaboration between law enforcement and the community. It's not solely about the quantity of officers but also the quality of their engagement with the community.

Ashland crime map



The Ashland crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Ashland 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 Ashland crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Ashland 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 Ashland, KY Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Ashland crime rates are 14% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Ashland are 49% lower than the national average
      • In Ashland you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Ashland is safer than 42% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Ashland has decreased by 14%

      Ashland, KY Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Ashland

        See all the best places to live around Ashland
        How would you rate the amount of crime in Ashland?
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        Do you feel safe walking alone at night in Ashland?
        Write a review to give others more information about this area.
        See all Ashland poll results

        Daily Crime In Ashland (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Ashland on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Kentucky and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Ashland (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Kentucky, are 1.60 times more than the state average and 1.14 times more than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Ashland on a daily basis are 1.14 times less than than Kentucky average and 1.97 times less than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Ashland are 1.70 times more than the daily state average and 1.26 times more than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Ashland (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Ashland to every other city in Kentucky, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Ashland safe? The gauges above illustrate that Ashland is safer than 12% of every city located within Kentucky along with 42% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Kentucky and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Ashland, KY is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Ashland

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Ashland is 1 in 533
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Ashland is 1 in 41
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Ashland is 1 in 38
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Ashland, Kentucky you have a 1 in 533 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 41 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Ashland.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Ashland, KY is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Ashland has decreased by 2%, while the property crime rate in Ashland has decreased by 15% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Ashland has decreased by 14% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Ashland police department

        Item Ashland Kentucky National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)535,359558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.42.83.3
        There are a total of 53 Ashland police officers. This results in 2.4 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.4% less than the Kentucky average and 24.9% 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
        Worthington, KY1,63906868
        Bellefonte, KY9580111111
        Greenup, KY1,23396192288
        Lavalette, WV1,25666294360
        Raceland, KY2,21543431474
        Flatwoods, KY7,14369429498
        Ironton, OH10,749145592737
        Ashland, KY20,4491882,4692,657

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Suwanee, GA20,4441831,6111,794
        Lockport, NY20,4206652,6683,333
        Grayslake, IL20,4821849831,166
        Northfield, MN20,399125742868
        Woodbridge, NJ20,5002281,5881,816
        Ashland, KY20,4491882,4692,657
        Source: The Ashland, KY crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. 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.