Is Louisville Metro or Richmond Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Richmond is safer than Louisville Metro (Safety Score 35/100 vs 8/100), with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100,000 versus 4,035 for Louisville Metro — 46% lower. Louisville Metro has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Richmond has a 76% lower rate.
Note: Louisville Metro is 17.8x 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
Richmond — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Louisville Metro, KY
Richmond, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Louisville Metro | Richmond | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 4,034.8 | 2,188.0 | +1,846.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 708.6 | 215.4 | +493.2 |
| Murder Rate | 21.7 | 5.3 | +16.5 |
| Rape Rate | 30.7 | 57.8 | -27.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 128.2 | 47.3 | +81.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 526.7 | 105.1 | +421.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 3,326.2 | 1,972.6 | +1,353.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 455.6 | 328.3 | +127.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,086.6 | 1,457.8 | +628.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 783.9 | 186.5 | +597.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Louisville Metro or Richmond safer?
Richmond is safer with a total crime rate of 2,188 per 100K vs 4,035 for Louisville Metro — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Louisville Metro has a violent crime rate of 708.6 per 100K while Richmond has 215.4. Richmond 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 Richmond, KY
Richmond, Kentucky, home to Eastern Kentucky University, is a city in Madison County, located in the Bluegrass region. Its population was over 36,000 in 2020. With a safety score of 35/100 and a population coverage of 38,072, Richmond has a total crime rate of 2,188.0 per 100,000 residents.