Is Covington or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Covington is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 43/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,923 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 41% lower. Covington has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owensboro has a 66% lower rate.
Covington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Covington, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Covington | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,922.7 | 3,266.4 | -1,343.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 287.9 | 349.4 | -61.5 |
| Murder Rate | 4.9 | 1.7 | +3.2 |
| Rape Rate | 65.9 | 78.2 | -12.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 75.6 | 44.9 | +30.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 141.5 | 224.6 | -83.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,634.8 | 2,917.0 | -1,282.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 207.4 | 337.8 | -130.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,085.8 | 2,258.1 | -1,172.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 341.6 | 321.2 | +20.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Covington or Owensboro safer?
Covington is safer with a total crime rate of 1,923 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 41% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Covington has a violent crime rate of 287.9 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. Covington has lower violent crime.
About Covington, KY
Covington, Kentucky, part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Known for its historic German immigrant architecture, the city is Kentucky's largest river city by population. With a safety score of 43/100 and a population coverage of 40,984, Covington has a total crime rate of 1,922.7 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.