Is Owensboro or Somerset Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Somerset is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 62/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,334 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 59% lower. Owensboro has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Somerset has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 4.9x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Somerset — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro, KY
Somerset, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owensboro | Somerset | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,266.4 | 1,334.2 | +1,932.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.4 | 258.8 | +90.7 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 0.0 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 78.2 | 64.7 | +13.5 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.9 | 48.5 | -3.6 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.6 | 145.6 | +79.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,917.0 | 1,075.4 | +1,841.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 337.8 | 331.5 | +6.3 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,258.1 | 614.5 | +1,643.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.2 | 129.4 | +191.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owensboro or Somerset safer?
Somerset is safer with a total crime rate of 1,334 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 59% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owensboro has a violent crime rate of 349.4 per 100K while Somerset has 258.8. Somerset has lower violent crime.
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.
About Somerset, KY
Somerset, the "Capital of Lake Cumberland," is a city in Pulaski County, Kentucky. It was founded in 1798 and serves as a regional hub for south-central Kentucky, with a population around 12,000. With a safety score of 62/100 and a population coverage of 12,367, Somerset has a total crime rate of 1,334.2 per 100,000 residents.