Is Berea or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Berea is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 77/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 936 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 71% lower. Berea has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Berea has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 3.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Berea — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Berea, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Berea | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 935.9 | 3,266.4 | -2,330.6 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 86.8 | 349.4 | -262.7 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.7 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 24.8 | 78.2 | -53.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 0.0 | 44.9 | -44.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 62.0 | 224.6 | -162.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 849.1 | 2,917.0 | -2,067.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 124.0 | 337.8 | -213.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 619.8 | 2,258.1 | -1,638.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 105.4 | 321.2 | -215.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Berea or Owensboro safer?
Berea is safer with a total crime rate of 936 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 71% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Berea has a violent crime rate of 86.8 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. Berea has lower violent crime.
About Berea, KY
Berea, Kentucky, nestled in the Appalachian foothills, is a city renowned for Berea College, which provides tuition-free education. This unique institution contributes to a diverse, artistic community with a strong emphasis on Appalachian crafts. With a safety score of 77/100 and a population coverage of 16,135, Berea has a total crime rate of 935.9 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.