Is Nicholasville or Owensboro Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Nicholasville is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 52/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,610 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 51% lower. Nicholasville has lower rates in 6 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Nicholasville has a 68% lower rate.
Nicholasville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Nicholasville, KY
Owensboro, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Nicholasville | Owensboro | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,609.6 | 3,266.4 | -1,656.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 112.6 | 349.4 | -236.9 |
| Murder Rate | 3.0 | 1.7 | +1.4 |
| Rape Rate | 18.3 | 78.2 | -60.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 18.3 | 44.9 | -26.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 73.0 | 224.6 | -151.6 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,497.0 | 2,917.0 | -1,420.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 206.9 | 337.8 | -130.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,217.1 | 2,258.1 | -1,041.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 73.0 | 321.2 | -248.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nicholasville or Owensboro safer?
Nicholasville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,610 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 51% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Nicholasville has a violent crime rate of 112.6 per 100K while Owensboro has 349.4. Nicholasville has lower violent crime.
About Nicholasville, KY
Nicholasville, Kentucky, the "Christmas City," sits south of Lexington in Jessamine County. This growing city of over 30,000 residents is known for its annual Christmas parade and its proximity to Kentucky's horse country. With a safety score of 52/100 and a population coverage of 32,866, Nicholasville has a total crime rate of 1,609.6 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.