Is Ashland or Bowling Green Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Bowling Green (Safety Score 24/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,703 per 100,000 versus 3,153 for Bowling Green — 14% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Bowling Green is 3.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowling Green — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, KY
Bowling Green, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Bowling Green | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,703.4 | 3,153.4 | -450.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 199.9 | 224.5 | -24.6 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.3 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 71.4 | 89.0 | -17.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 46.5 | -27.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 109.5 | 87.7 | +21.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,503.5 | 2,928.9 | -425.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.6 | 340.6 | -55.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,003.7 | 2,322.5 | -318.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 214.2 | 265.8 | -51.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Bowling Green safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,703 per 100K vs 3,153 for Bowling Green — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 199.9 per 100K while Bowling Green has 224.5. Ashland has lower violent crime.
About Ashland, KY
Ashland, a city in Boyd County, Kentucky, lies along the Ohio River. Once a major hub for the iron and steel industry, it now serves as a regional center for healthcare and education. The city is home to roughly 20,000 residents. With a safety score of 24/100 and a population coverage of 21,011, Ashland has a total crime rate of 2,703.4 per 100,000 residents.
About Bowling Green, KY
Bowling Green, Kentucky, home to Western Kentucky University, sits on the Barren River. This city of over 70,000 residents is also home to the National Corvette Museum. With a safety score of 17/100 and a population coverage of 77,503, Bowling Green has a total crime rate of 3,153.4 per 100,000 residents.