We may earn money when you buy through our links.
By Cathy Habas
Mar 18, 2024
3 min read
Here are the 10 Safest Cities in Kentucky for 2024
Edgewood
Southgate
Park Hills
West Liberty
Carrollton
Wilmore
Fort Thomas
Taylor Mill
Prospect
Vine Grove
See crime rates for the safest cities.
Kentucky’s crime rates fall below national averages and is among the lowest in the country, and both violent crime and property crime decreased year over year. It seems that Kentuckians could sense the downward turn, as the percentage of State of Safety Survey respondents that are highly worried about crime and safety dropped 26% in our latest poll. However, the percentage who told us they feel safe in their state fell from 48% to 39%.
In this report
- Property crime rates
- Violent crime rates
- Interesting findings
- The Safest Cities
- Methodology
- How to make a safe home anywhere
- How other cities compare
- How other states compare
Download the full list of cities in your state
Enter your email to get the full list with crime stats.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2022.
2024 Kentucky crime rates
Image: SafeWise
Kentucky’s violent crime rate of 2.7 incidents per 1,000 people is the eighth-lowest in the nation. Kentucky also boasts a property crime rate that’s the twelfth-lowest in the US, coming in at 16.0 incidents per 1,000 people. Both rates dropped year over year.
Property crime in Kentucky: Fear vs. reality
Kentuckians report the eighteenth-lowest level of concern about property crime—48%, down from 55% last year (US 52%).
That lines up with the fact that property crime decreased by 4% year over year in Kentucky—the second year in a row we've seen a decline in per capita property crime in The Bluegrass State.
- Kentucky sees 16.0 property crime incidents per 1,000 people, compared to 20.7 nationwide.
- Property crime is the least-worrisome crime issue in Kentucky, with 48% of survey respondents worrying about it every day (US 52%).
- Burglaries make up a larger proportion of all property crime in Kentucky—16% versus 13% nationwide.
- 32% of Kentucky respondents increased their security measures in the 12 months prior to our survey.
- Of the Kentuckians who use some form of property protection (70%), most use security cameras (38%), followed by firearms and guard dogs with 31% each.
What security measures are used most in Kentucky?
Image: SafeWise
Package theft in Kentucky
- Package theft is the most worrisome crime issue in Kentucky, with more than 6 in 10 survey respondents (62%) telling us they worry about it regularly—making Kentucky the fifth-most worried state when it comes to porch pirates.
- 31% of Kentuckians experienced a package theft during the 12 months prior to our survey, which is the tenth-lowest percentage in the nation and represents a year-over-year decrease of 21%.
- Of the Kentuckians with a package theft prevention strategy (71%), most rely on instructing delivery people to leave packages in a safe spot (28%), followed by doorbell cameras (24%) and verified delivery (31%).
Compare the best home security systems
Brand | Installation | Monthly cost | Best for | Starter equipment price | Contract required | Smart home compatibility | Learn more |
Professional | $29.99/mo. | Best professional home security | $599.00 | No * | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
Professional | $28.99/mo. | Most trusted security brand | $0.00 | Yes | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View packages | |
DIY or Pro | $17.99/mo. | Best customer rating | Quote required Online quiz | No * | Amazon, Google | View packages | |
DIY | $20.00/mo | Best budget-friendly pick | $199.99 | No | Amazon, Google, Z-Wave | View on Amazon | |
DIY or Pro | $19.99/mo. | Best DIY home security | $245.00 | No | Amazon, | View packages |
Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer.
Full ADT disclaimer
What crimes are Kentucky residents concerned about most?
Image: SafeWise
Violent crime in Kentucky: Fear vs. reality
According to our State of Safety survey, 59% of respondents feel concerned about violent crime—above the national average of 50% and the twelfth-highest level of concern in the nation. About 14% of Kentucky residents reportedly experienced violent crime in the 12 months prior to our survey, which is lower than the national average of 15% and represents a decrease of 18% year over year.
- After a slight increase last year, Kentucky's violent crime rate fell this year from 208 to 2.7 incidents per 1,000 people.
- Violent crime accounts for 14% of all crime in Kentucky, which is lower than the national average of 16%. However, robberies, rapes, and murders make up a larger percentage of Kentucky’s violent crimes than the national averages.
- 3 in 4 Kentucky respondents (76%) think crime is rising overall, slightly above the national average of 73%.
- 38% of Kentuckians use some form of personal protection (US 36%) with concealed firearms and pocket knives leading the way at 45% each.
Attitudes about gun violence in Kentucky
- 57% of Kentuckians worry about gun violence (51% US).
- Despite (or perhaps because of) high concern about gun violence, Kentuckians rely on firearms as one of their top choices for both personal and property protection.
- 12% of survey respondents experienced gun violence in the 12 months prior to our survey (US 12%), which is a 33% decline year over year.
- 8 mass shooting events occurred in Kentucky during 2023, which is one fewer than in 2022.
A closer look at the safest cities in Kentucky
For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.
- 110 Kentucky cities met the criteria for ranking this year, and 11 cities are appearing in the top 20 for the first time.
- Edgewood rose 7 positions to land at number 1.
- Edgewood, Southgate, and Park Hills each reported 0 violent crimes—and all 20 cities reported fewer than 1 violent crime per 1,000 people.
- There were no murders reported by Kentucky's 20 safest cities.
- Taylor Mill and Morganfield each reported zero burglaries.
- All 20 cities reported fewer than 100 total property crimes each.
- Wilder made the most dramatic improvement year over year, jumping 28 spots to nab the twentieth spot.
- Erlanger is the most populous city among the top 20, making it's low per capita crime rates even more impressive.
The 20 safest cities in Kentucky
Image: SafeWise
#1
Edgewood
(
+7
)
-
Population
8,372
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.0, 0.2, 0.5
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
5.4, 4.7, 4.4
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#2
Southgate
(
+20
)
-
Population
3,658
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.0, 1.0, 2.2
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
6.6, 4.4, 6.4
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#3
Park Hills
(
+21
)
-
Population
3,158
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.0, 0.3, 1.7
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
6.6, 7.7, 6.0
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#4
West Liberty
(
-2
)
-
Population
3,251
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.3, 0.3, 0.3
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
3.1, 1.8, 0.6
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#5
Carrollton
(
+35
)
-
Population
3,898
-
Median Income
$26,346
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.3, 1.1, 0.5
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
4.4, 10.8, 6.6
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#6
Wilmore
(
+15
)
-
Population
6,081
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.2, 0.3, 0.2
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
6.2, 7.4, 5.1
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#7
Fort Thomas
(
-0-
)
-
Population
17,159
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.2, 0.4, 0.4
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
5.6, 3.9, 5.4
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#8
Taylor Mill
(
-2
)
-
Population
6,821
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.4, 0.6, 0.0
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
2.3, 2.8, 5.3
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#9
Prospect
(
-6
)
-
Population
4,552
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.2, 0.0, 0.0
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
7.0, 4.7, 6.9
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#10
Vine Grove
(
+20
)
-
Population
6,843
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.3, 1.3, 0.6
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
5.7, 6.3, 7.6
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#11
Beaver Dam
(
+14
)
-
Population
3,538
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.3, 0.6, 0.8
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
6.2, 6.7, 5.9
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#12
Erlanger
(
+3
)
-
Population
24,147
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.5, 0.7, 0.9
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
2.9, 3.9, 5.8
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#13
Bellevue
(
+13
)
-
Population
5,534
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.0, 0.3, 0.5
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
13.0, 8.4, 13.7
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#14
Villa Hills
(
+21
)
-
Population
7,337
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.3, 0.9, 0.1
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
7.8, 9.6, 9.1
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#15
Fort Mitchell
(
+18
)
-
Population
8,643
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.2, 0.5, 0.5
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
8.8, 11.1, 8.6
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#16
Morganfield
(
+2
)
-
Population
3,202
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.6, 0.3, 0.3
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
2.5, 6.8, 5.1
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#17
Lakeside Park-Crestview Hills
(
-4
)
-
Population
6,227
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.2, 0.2, 0.3
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
11.6, 5.7, 7.8
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#18
Highland Heights
(
+21
)
-
Population
6,784
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.4, 0.9, 0.7
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
6.2, 11.2, 9.5
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#19
Flatwoods
(
-2
)
-
Population
7,231
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.6, 0.7, 0.6
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
4.1, 4.7, 4.7
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
#20
Wilder
(
+28
)
-
Population
3,125
-
VC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
0.3, 0.7, 2.0
-
PC Rate 2024, 2023, 2022
9.0, 13.4, 17.3
-
VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
How we determined the safest cities
Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.
How to make a safe home anywhere
Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.
Get a home security system
Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the Best Home Security Systems—and learn the basics with our guide on Everything You Need to Know About Home Security.
Find security and safety resources in your area
Find the safest cities in each state
Click on the state below to check out the safest cities for each state.
Related articles on SafeWise
Endnotes and sources
Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.
FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 18, 2024.
- 2022 and 2021 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
- Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
- 2022 NIBRS Estimation Tables
Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 18, 2024.
Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 18, 2023.
SafeWise experts have years of firsthand experience testing the products we recommend. Learn how we test and review.
Written by
Cathy Habas
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.
Recent Articles
By
04/11/2024
See which medical alert system is the best to keep you and your loved one...
By
04/11/2024
Best Apartment Security Systems
These renter-friendly apartment security systems help keep you safe and require less commitment than your...
04/09/2024
After thousands of hours of tests and research, we picked Vivint and SimpliSafe as the...
By
03/20/2024
The Best Home Security Systems in Canada
Find the best home alarm system to protect your house. We looked at price, features,...
Stay Safe!
Subscribe to SafeWise for updates on safety news, product releases, and deals!
By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy | Cookies Settings
Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | How We Rank and Review |
*SafeWise has conducted impartial research to recommend products. This is not a guarantee. Each individual’s unique needs should be considered when deciding on chosen products.
©2024 SafeWise. All rights reserved.
Back To Top