Is Ashland or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Lexington is safer than Ashland (Safety Score 28/100 vs 24/100), with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100,000 versus 2,703 for Ashland — 6% lower. Ashland has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Ashland has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lexington is 15.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Ashland, KY?
Ashland — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, KY
Lexington, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,703.4 | 2,536.4 | +167.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 199.9 | 262.0 | -62.1 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.0 | -5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 71.4 | 51.7 | +19.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 79.5 | -60.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 109.5 | 125.9 | -16.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,503.5 | 2,274.4 | +229.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.6 | 264.8 | +20.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,003.7 | 1,728.4 | +275.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 214.2 | 281.2 | -67.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Lexington safer?
Lexington is safer with a total crime rate of 2,536 per 100K vs 2,703 for Ashland — a 6% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 199.9 per 100K while Lexington has 262.0. 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.