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: 6,805 366 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 307 chance of being a victim: 1 in 273

Taylor Mill proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Kentucky. With only 366 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 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 273 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.

Independence Population: 28,119 399 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 71 Property Crime / 100k: 328 chance of being a victim: 1 in 251

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Independence comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Kentucky with a crime rate of 399 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 27 counts of burglary, 240 counts of theft, 61 counts of vehicle theft, 44 counts of assault, 3 counts of robbery, 20 counts of rape and 3 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Independence, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Flatwoods Population: 7,143 444 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 69 Property Crime / 100k: 374 chance of being a victim: 1 in 225

With a population of 7,143 and a total crime rate of 444 per 100,000 residents, Flatwoods is the 3rd safest city in Kentucky. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 93% 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.

Vine Grove Population: 6,234 498 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 71 Property Crime / 100k: 427 chance of being a victim: 1 in 201

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Vine Grove 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 Vine Grove a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Erlanger Population: 19,106 555 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 141 Property Crime / 100k: 414 chance of being a victim: 1 in 180

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Erlanger consistently ranks high in safety. In Erlanger, 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 555, which is 80% lower than the state average.

Edgewood Population: 8,779 561 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 95 Property Crime / 100k: 466 chance of being a victim: 1 in 178

Edgewood 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 561 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the Kentucky average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 0 reports of burglary, 430 reports of theft, 36 reports of vehicle theft, 84 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 12 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Fort Thomas Population: 16,335 612 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 565 chance of being a victim: 1 in 163

Fort Thomas ranks as the seventh safest city in Kentucky and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 163 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.28 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. Fort Thomas’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Kentucky.

Mount Washington Population: 14,699 614 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 571 chance of being a victim: 1 in 163

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Mount Washington is the 8th safest city in Kentucky. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 81% lower than the Kentucky average, reporting a total of 614 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.

Fort Wright Population: 5,766 638 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 52 Property Crime / 100k: 586 chance of being a victim: 1 in 157

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Fort Wright 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 638 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 94% lower than the state average.

Wilmore Population: 6,339 764 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 33 Property Crime / 100k: 730 chance of being a victim: 1 in 131

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Kentucky, is Wilmore. With a low rate of crime that included 83 burglaries, 614 thefts, 33 vehicle thefts, 0 assaults, 0 robberies, 33 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	59	307	366
2	Independence	28,119	71	328	399
3	Flatwoods	7,143	69	374	444
4	Vine Grove	6,234	71	427	498
5	Erlanger	19,106	141	414	555
6	Edgewood	8,779	95	466	561
7	Fort Thomas	16,335	47	565	612
8	Mount Washington	14,699	43	571	614
9	Fort Wright	5,766	52	586	638
10	Wilmore	6,339	33	730	764
11	Alexandria	9,600	37	787	824
12	Elsmere	8,617	164	689	854
13	Versailles	9,251	59	871	930
14	Lawrenceburg	11,416	83	857	941
15	Madisonville	18,801	121	855	976
16	Fort Mitchell	8,278	58	974	1,032
17	Elizabethtown	30,179	137	918	1,055
18	Villa Hills	7,475	133	973	1,107
19	Berea	15,773	104	1,004	1,107
20	La Grange	8,938	29	1,085	1,114
21	Williamsburg	5,266	314	865	1,179
22	Central City	5,770	69	1,116	1,184
23	Dayton	5,550	207	1,001	1,209
24	Highland Heights	7,372	79	1,141	1,221
25	Shelbyville	16,244	119	1,160	1,278
26	Bellevue	5,786	141	1,146	1,287
27	Harrodsburg	8,480	250	1,077	1,328
28	Georgetown	34,362	122	1,326	1,448
29	Leitchfield	6,789	109	1,366	1,474
30	Corbin	7,558	114	1,424	1,538
31	Cold Spring	6,481	78	1,527	1,605
32	Lebanon	5,960	77	1,535	1,611
33	Paris	9,776	260	1,358	1,617
34	Monticello	5,999	243	1,423	1,666
35	Princeton	6,087	129	1,552	1,681
36	Russellville	7,056	136	1,569	1,705
37	Danville	16,801	173	1,538	1,711
38	Pikeville	6,642	84	1,629	1,713
39	Cynthiana	6,270	123	1,648	1,771
40	Nicholasville	30,549	124	1,680	1,804
41	Campbellsville	11,370	188	1,617	1,805
42	Mount Sterling	7,190	53	1,813	1,866
43	Murray	19,254	102	1,776	1,878
44	Hillview	9,066	113	1,777	1,890
45	Shepherdsville	13,757	198	1,751	1,949
46	Mayfield	9,823	284	1,837	2,121
47	Covington	40,466	295	1,892	2,187
48	Radcliff	22,796	236	2,012	2,247
49	Morehead	7,653	199	2,112	2,311
50	Frankfort	27,705	233	2,104	2,337

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.