Is Bardstown or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Bardstown is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 54/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,559 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 52% 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: Owensboro is 4.3x 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
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bardstown, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bardstown | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,559.2 | 3,266.4 | -1,707.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 165.3 | 349.4 | -184.2 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.7 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 28.7 | 78.2 | -49.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 50.3 | 44.9 | +5.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 86.2 | 224.6 | -138.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,394.0 | 2,917.0 | -1,523.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 194.0 | 337.8 | -143.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,027.5 | 2,258.1 | -1,230.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 172.5 | 321.2 | -148.7 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bardstown or Owensboro safer?
Bardstown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,559 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 52% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bardstown has a violent crime rate of 165.3 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. 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 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.