Is Franklin or Lexington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Franklin is safer than Lexington (Safety Score 74/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100,000 versus 2,536 for Lexington — 60% lower. Franklin has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Franklin has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lexington is 30.6x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Franklin, KY?
Franklin — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Franklin, KY
Lexington, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Franklin | Lexington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,023.1 | 2,536.4 | -1,513.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.1 | 262.0 | -119.9 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 5.0 | -5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 19.0 | 51.7 | -32.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 79.5 | -60.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.2 | 125.9 | -21.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 881.0 | 2,274.4 | -1,393.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.3 | 264.8 | -179.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 653.7 | 1,728.4 | -1,074.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 142.1 | 281.2 | -139.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin or Lexington safer?
Franklin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100K vs 2,536 for Lexington — a 60% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Franklin has a violent crime rate of 142.1 per 100K while Lexington has 262.0. Franklin has lower violent crime.
About Franklin, KY
Franklin, Kentucky, seat of Simpson County, lies near the Tennessee border. This small city, home to the Octagon Hall Museum, sits amidst the rolling hills of south-central Kentucky. With a safety score of 74/100 and a population coverage of 10,556, Franklin has a total crime rate of 1,023.1 per 100,000 residents.