Is Henderson or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Henderson is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 37/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 2,134 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 35% lower. Henderson has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owensboro has a 54% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 2.2x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Henderson — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Henderson, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Henderson | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,134.1 | 3,266.4 | -1,132.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 318.8 | 349.4 | -30.6 |
| Murder Rate | 3.6 | 1.7 | +2.0 |
| Rape Rate | 58.0 | 78.2 | -20.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 47.1 | 44.9 | +2.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 210.1 | 224.6 | -14.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,815.2 | 2,917.0 | -1,101.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 365.9 | 337.8 | +28.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,210.1 | 2,258.1 | -1,047.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 239.1 | 321.2 | -82.0 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Henderson or Owensboro safer?
Henderson is safer with a total crime rate of 2,134 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 35% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Henderson has a violent crime rate of 318.8 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. Henderson has lower violent crime.
About Henderson, KY
Henderson, Kentucky, on the Ohio River, is known for its annual John James Audubon Festival. This small city, part of the Evansville metropolitan area, has a population of around 29,000. With a safety score of 37/100 and a population coverage of 27,600, Henderson has a total crime rate of 2,134.1 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.