Is Bardstown or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Bardstown is safer than Lexington (Safety Score 55/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 1,559 per 100,000 versus 2,536 for Lexington — 39% lower. Bardstown has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bardstown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lexington is 23.2x 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 Bardstown, KY?
Bardstown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bardstown, KY
Lexington, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bardstown | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,559.2 | 2,536.4 | -977.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 165.3 | 262.0 | -96.8 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.0 | -5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 28.7 | 51.7 | -22.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.3 | 79.5 | -29.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 86.2 | 125.9 | -39.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,394.0 | 2,274.4 | -880.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.0 | 264.8 | -70.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,027.5 | 1,728.4 | -700.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.5 | 281.2 | -108.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bardstown or Lexington safer?
Bardstown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,559 per 100K vs 2,536 for Lexington — a 39% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bardstown has a violent crime rate of 165.3 per 100K while Lexington has 262.0. 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 55/100 and a population coverage of 13,917, Bardstown has a total crime rate of 1,559.2 per 100,000 residents.