Is Franklin or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Franklin is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 73/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 69% 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: Owensboro is 5.7x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Franklin — 2-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Franklin, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Franklin | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,023.1 | 3,266.4 | -2,243.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 142.1 | 349.4 | -207.3 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 1.7 | -1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 19.0 | 78.2 | -59.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 19.0 | 44.9 | -26.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 104.2 | 224.6 | -120.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 881.0 | 2,917.0 | -2,036.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 85.3 | 337.8 | -252.5 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 653.7 | 2,258.1 | -1,604.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 142.1 | 321.2 | -179.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Franklin or Owensboro safer?
Franklin is safer with a total crime rate of 1,023 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 69% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Franklin has a violent crime rate of 142.1 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. 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 73/100 and a population coverage of 10,556, Franklin has a total crime rate of 1,023.1 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.