Is Bardstown or Bowling Green Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bardstown is safer than Bowling Green (Safety Score 54/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 1,559 per 100,000 versus 3,153 for Bowling Green — 51% lower. Bardstown has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bardstown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Bowling Green is 5.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bardstown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowling Green — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bardstown, KY
Bowling Green, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bardstown | Bowling Green | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,559.2 | 3,153.4 | -1,594.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 165.3 | 224.5 | -59.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.3 | -1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 28.7 | 89.0 | -60.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.3 | 46.5 | +3.8 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 86.2 | 87.7 | -1.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,394.0 | 2,928.9 | -1,534.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.0 | 340.6 | -146.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,027.5 | 2,322.5 | -1,295.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.5 | 265.8 | -93.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bardstown or Bowling Green safer?
Bardstown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,559 per 100K vs 3,153 for Bowling Green — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bardstown has a violent crime rate of 165.3 per 100K while Bowling Green has 224.5. Bardstown has lower violent crime.
About Bardstown, KY
Bardstown, Kentucky, "Most Beautiful Small Town in America," is home to the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. This town of roughly 13,000 residents is located in Nelson County, part of the Louisville/Jefferson County metro area. With a safety score of 54/100 and a population coverage of 13,917, Bardstown has a total crime rate of 1,559.2 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.