Is Bowling Green or Glasgow Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Glasgow is safer than Bowling Green (Safety Score 34/100 vs 17/100), with a total crime rate of 2,277 per 100,000 versus 3,153 for Bowling Green — 28% lower. Bowling Green has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Glasgow has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Bowling Green is 5.0x 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
Glasgow — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Bowling Green, KY
Glasgow, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Bowling Green | Glasgow | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,153.4 | 2,277.3 | +876.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 224.5 | 168.7 | +55.8 |
| Murder Rate | 1.3 | 0.0 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 89.0 | 38.9 | +50.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 46.5 | 0.0 | +46.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 87.7 | 129.8 | -42.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,928.9 | 2,108.6 | +820.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 340.6 | 214.1 | +126.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,322.5 | 1,758.3 | +564.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 265.8 | 136.3 | +129.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bowling Green or Glasgow safer?
Glasgow is safer with a total crime rate of 2,277 per 100K vs 3,153 for Bowling Green — a 28% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Bowling Green has a violent crime rate of 224.5 per 100K while Glasgow has 168.7. Glasgow 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 Glasgow, KY
Glasgow, Kentucky, settled in 1798, is the county seat of Barren County and home to Mammoth Cave National Park. It's located in the south-central part of the state, with a population around 15,000. With a safety score of 34/100 and a population coverage of 15,413, Glasgow has a total crime rate of 2,277.3 per 100,000 residents.