Safest Cities in Kentucky 2024
Average Crime Rate
National Average
Combined Population
Overview: Safest Cities in Kentucky
These 16 cities have the lowest crime rates in Kentucky, based on 2024 FBI data. The safest cities average just 2,207 crimes per 100,000 residents — 20% below the national average of 2,752.
The top 3 safest cities are Independence (KY, crime rate: 343), Versailles (KY, crime rate: 826), and Elizabethtown (KY, crime rate: 838).
Full Rankings
| # | City | State | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Independence | KY | 29,747 | 342.9 | 26.9 | 316.0 | 93/100 |
| 2 | Versailles | KY | 27,727 | 825.9 | 68.5 | 757.4 | 84/100 |
| 3 | Elizabethtown | KY | 33,522 | 838.3 | 140.2 | 698.1 | 84/100 |
| 4 | Georgetown | KY | 40,037 | 1,293.8 | 124.9 | 1,168.9 | 76/100 |
| 5 | Nicholasville | KY | 32,866 | 1,609.6 | 112.6 | 1,497.0 | 70/100 |
| 6 | Frankfort | KY | 28,177 | 1,845.5 | 202.3 | 1,643.2 | 66/100 |
| 7 | Covington | KY | 40,984 | 1,922.7 | 287.9 | 1,634.8 | 65/100 |
| 8 | Henderson | KY | 27,600 | 2,134.1 | 318.8 | 1,815.2 | 61/100 |
| 9 | Richmond | KY | 38,072 | 2,188.0 | 215.4 | 1,972.6 | 60/100 |
| 10 | Jeffersontown | KY | 28,563 | 2,380.7 | 105.0 | 2,275.7 | 56/100 |
| 11 | Hopkinsville | KY | 30,694 | 2,958.2 | 452.9 | 2,505.4 | 46/100 |
| 12 | Paducah | KY | 26,624 | 3,064.9 | 270.4 | 2,794.5 | 44/100 |
| 13 | Bowling Green | KY | 77,503 | 3,153.4 | 224.5 | 2,928.9 | 42/100 |
| 14 | Owensboro | KY | 60,096 | 3,266.4 | 349.4 | 2,917.0 | 40/100 |
| 15 | Florence | KY | 33,208 | 3,445.0 | 231.9 | 3,213.1 | 37/100 |
| 16 | Louisville Metro | KY | 676,843 | 4,034.8 | 708.6 | 3,326.2 | 26/100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the safest city in Kentucky?
Independence, KY is the safest city in Kentucky with a total crime rate of 342.9 per 100,000 residents in 2024.
How are the safest cities determined?
Cities are ranked by total crime rate (violent + property crime) per 100,000 residents using 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data. Only cities with 25,000+ residents are included.
What crime rate is considered safe?
Cities on this list average 2,207 crimes per 100,000 residents, well below the national average of 2,752. Generally, a rate under 2,000 per 100K is considered low.