Is Bowling Green or Elizabethtown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Elizabethtown is safer than Bowling Green (Safety Score 80/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 838 per 100,000 versus 3,153 for Bowling Green — 73% lower. Bowling Green has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Bowling Green has a 89% lower rate.
Note: Bowling Green is 2.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Bowling Green — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Elizabethtown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowling Green, KY
Elizabethtown, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowling Green | Elizabethtown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,153.4 | 838.3 | +2,315.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.5 | 140.2 | +84.3 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 11.9 | -10.6 |
| Rape Rate | 89.0 | 44.8 | +44.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.5 | 11.9 | +34.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.7 | 68.6 | +19.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,928.9 | 698.1 | +2,230.9 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.6 | 119.3 | +221.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,322.5 | 474.3 | +1,848.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 265.8 | 104.4 | +161.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowling Green or Elizabethtown safer?
Elizabethtown is safer with a total crime rate of 838 per 100K vs 3,153 for Bowling Green — a 73% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowling Green has a violent crime rate of 224.5 per 100K while Elizabethtown has 140.2. Elizabethtown has lower violent crime.
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.
About Elizabethtown, KY
Elizabethtown, Kentucky, county seat of Hardin County, is known for its historic downtown and as a gateway to Abraham Lincoln's birthplace. Located at the intersection of I-65 and the Bluegrass Parkway, it serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare. With a safety score of 80/100 and a population coverage of 33,522, Elizabethtown has a total crime rate of 838.3 per 100,000 residents.