Is Louisville Metro or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owensboro is safer than Louisville Metro (Safety Score 15/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100,000 versus 4,035 for Louisville Metro — 19% lower. Louisville Metro has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owensboro has a 92% lower rate.
Note: Louisville Metro is 11.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Louisville Metro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Louisville Metro, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Louisville Metro | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,034.8 | 3,266.4 | +768.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 708.6 | 349.4 | +359.1 |
| Murder Rate | 21.7 | 1.7 | +20.1 |
| Rape Rate | 30.7 | 78.2 | -47.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 128.2 | 44.9 | +83.3 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 526.7 | 224.6 | +302.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,326.2 | 2,917.0 | +409.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 455.6 | 337.8 | +117.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,086.6 | 2,258.1 | -171.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 783.9 | 321.2 | +462.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisville Metro or Owensboro safer?
Owensboro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100K vs 4,035 for Louisville Metro — a 19% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Louisville Metro has a violent crime rate of 708.6 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. Owensboro has lower violent crime.
About Louisville Metro, KY
Louisville Metro, Kentucky, home of the Kentucky Derby, sprawls along the Ohio River. This consolidated city-county is Kentucky's most populous, with a diverse urban and suburban landscape. With a safety score of 8/100 and a population coverage of 676,843, Louisville Metro has a total crime rate of 4,034.8 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.