Is Ashland or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ashland is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 24/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,703 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 17% 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: Owensboro is 2.9x 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
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ashland, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Ashland | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,703.4 | 3,266.4 | -563.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 199.9 | 349.4 | -149.5 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.7 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 71.4 | 78.2 | -6.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 44.9 | -25.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 109.5 | 224.6 | -115.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,503.5 | 2,917.0 | -413.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 285.6 | 337.8 | -52.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,003.7 | 2,258.1 | -254.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 214.2 | 321.2 | -107.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ashland or Owensboro safer?
Ashland is safer with a total crime rate of 2,703 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 17% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Ashland has a violent crime rate of 199.9 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. 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 Owensboro, KY
Owensboro, Kentucky, known for its International Bluegrass Music Museum, sits on the Ohio River. This Daviess County seat is the fourth-largest city by population in the state. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 60,096, Owensboro has a total crime rate of 3,266.4 per 100,000 residents.