Is Frankfort or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Frankfort is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 45/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,845 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 44% lower. Frankfort has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owensboro has a 53% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 2.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Frankfort — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Frankfort, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Frankfort | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,845.5 | 3,266.4 | -1,421.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 202.3 | 349.4 | -147.2 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 1.7 | +1.9 |
| Rape Rate | 67.4 | 78.2 | -10.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 28.4 | 44.9 | -16.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 102.9 | 224.6 | -121.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,643.2 | 2,917.0 | -1,273.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 273.3 | 337.8 | -64.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,188.9 | 2,258.1 | -1,069.1 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 181.0 | 321.2 | -140.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frankfort or Owensboro safer?
Frankfort is safer with a total crime rate of 1,845 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 44% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Frankfort has a violent crime rate of 202.3 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. Frankfort has lower violent crime.
About Frankfort, KY
Frankfort, Kentucky, the state capital, sits along the Kentucky River in Franklin County. Home to the Kentucky State Penitentiary since 1800, it's a small city with a population around 28,000. With a safety score of 45/100 and a population coverage of 28,177, Frankfort has a total crime rate of 1,845.5 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.