Is Owensboro or St. Matthews Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owensboro is safer than St. Matthews (Safety Score 15/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100,000 versus 5,223 for St. Matthews — 37% lower. Owensboro has lower rates in 4 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where St. Matthews has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 3.5x 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
St. Matthews — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro, KY
St. Matthews, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owensboro | St. Matthews | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,266.4 | 5,223.0 | -1,956.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.4 | 127.3 | +222.2 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 0.0 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 78.2 | 0.0 | +78.2 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.9 | 81.0 | -36.1 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.6 | 46.3 | +178.4 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,917.0 | 5,095.7 | -2,178.7 |
| Burglary Rate | 337.8 | 208.2 | +129.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,258.1 | 4,424.8 | -2,166.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.2 | 462.7 | -141.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owensboro or St. Matthews safer?
Owensboro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100K vs 5,223 for St. Matthews — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owensboro has a violent crime rate of 349.4 per 100K while St. Matthews has 127.3. St. Matthews 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 St. Matthews, KY
St. Matthews, a first-class city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, is home to the historic Oxmoor Farm. This affluent suburban area, known for its retail corridors, lies east of downtown Louisville. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 17,289, St. Matthews has a total crime rate of 5,223.0 per 100,000 residents.