Is Louisville Metro or Paducah Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Paducah is safer than Louisville Metro (Safety Score 19/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 3,065 per 100,000 versus 4,035 for Louisville Metro — 24% lower. Louisville Metro has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Paducah has a 83% lower rate.
Note: Louisville Metro is 25.4x 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
Paducah — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Louisville Metro, KY
Paducah, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Louisville Metro | Paducah | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,034.8 | 3,064.9 | +969.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 708.6 | 270.4 | +438.2 |
| Murder Rate | 21.7 | 3.8 | +18.0 |
| Rape Rate | 30.7 | 71.4 | -40.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 128.2 | 41.3 | +86.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 526.7 | 154.0 | +372.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,326.2 | 2,794.5 | +531.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 455.6 | 232.9 | +222.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,086.6 | 2,249.9 | -163.3 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 783.9 | 311.8 | +472.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisville Metro or Paducah safer?
Paducah is safer with a total crime rate of 3,065 per 100K vs 4,035 for Louisville Metro — a 24% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Louisville Metro has a violent crime rate of 708.6 per 100K while Paducah has 270.4. Paducah 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 Paducah, KY
Paducah, a UNESCO Creative City known for its vibrant arts, sits at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers. This McCracken County seat in Western Kentucky has a population of around 27,000. With a safety score of 19/100 and a population coverage of 26,624, Paducah has a total crime rate of 3,064.9 per 100,000 residents.