Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Kentucky

Although Kentucky is famous for its rolling land and southern manners, it varies in safety levels from place to place. This state has lower crime rates than the country overall, but some cities show much higher per capita crime rates. This article will talk about the most dangerous cities in Kentucky and show you how to avoid danger.

Is Kentucky Dangerous?

No, Kentucky is not considered one of the most dangerous states in the U.S., especially when compared to national crime statistics. The figures show that Kentucky's violent crime rate is 1.3 points lower than the national average, at 2.7 vs 4.0. For that reason, crime rates for assault, robbery, and homicide are generally lower in most areas of Kentucky.

While property crimes in the state are somewhat higher, they are still lower than the national figure. With 16.0 cases per 1,000 residents, property-related crimes such as burglary, theft, and vehicle theft are of concern, but not as severe as in the U.S. (where the average is 20.7). That being said, Kentucky is usually one of the safer states, except in some cities with greater crime levels.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Kentucky

Crime is generally low in Kentucky except in a few cities. These are the most dangerous cities in Kentucky.

Lyndon

With almost 8,000 residents, Lyndon has the most serious crime rate in the state. The criminal rate is 56.80 per 1,000 residents, ranking this place among the least safe in the county.

St. Matthews

About 18,000 people live in this city and the crime rate is 49.89 incidents for every 1,000 residents. St. Rates of property and violent crimes in Matthews are greater than those for the state.

Florence

More than 32,000 people live in Florence, with 45.44 crimes committed per 1,000 people. The city regularly experiences many crimes involving stuff stolen from vehicles and property.

Louisville

Over 618,000 people call Louisville, the biggest city in Kentucky, home. There was a total of 43.85 crimes per thousand people in the city, with most cases being property crimes in certain districts.

Middletown

Because the population is only about 7,000, Middletown registers a crime rate of 39.48 crime occurrences per 1,000 people. Each incident is given greater significance because it's composed of a small dataset.

Oak Grove

About 7,000 people live in Oak Grove, and the number of reported crimes per 1,000 people is 38.87. If you compare Oak Grove to major cities, there are cases of property crime and violence, but Oak Grove is much quieter.

Owensboro

Owensboro is living with nearly 59,000 people and experiences about 35.54 crimes for every 1,000. While Owensboro isn't as crowded as Louisville, it does experience many criminal events.

Hopkinsville

Just over 31,000 people live here, with a crime rate of 34.80 per 1,000 people. Like the cities above, most property crimes occur in the city.

Shively

The total crime rate in Shively which has fewer than 15,000 residents, is 34.76 offenses per 1,000 people. Many small crimes occur in the city every week, raising the crime total.

Newport

Newport is the last city on the list, and it has about 15,000 inhabitants and a crime rate of 34.47 for every 1,000 people. Even though it is a little town, it sees more theft and vandalism than most would expect.

How to Determine the Most Dangerous Cities in Kentucky?

If you want to know which cities are riskier, you need to look at more than the crime rate. You can use these easy methods to judge the safety of the most dangerous cities in Kentucky.

• Check the crime rate per thousand people which helps you see the chance someone has of falling victim.
• Notice how much robbery or assault takes place every year in the city.
• Be sure to cover types of property crimes such as burglaries, theft, and various car thefts since these happen more often but still matter.
• Don't ignore the size of the city, since even a few crimes in a small city can make it seem more dangerous.
• When comparing data over a period, see whether crime in that area is rising or falling.
  After reviewing all the points, you'll see which areas are safer and where you should be more careful.

How to Stay Safe in Dangerous Cities in Kentucky?

Being in a city with more crime doesn't always make you unsafe. There are simple actions you can do to keep yourself and your home secure even in the most dangerous cities in Kentucky.

• Be attentive to your surroundings, most especially when you're out alone or when it's nighttime.
• Stick to safe and crowded areas and avoid those famous for crime at night.
• You can set up a motion tracking camera, such as Reolink Trackmix PoE,at home to watch events as they happen and be notified if anything moves.
  
  

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• Always remember to check if your doors and windows are secure, whether at home or work in the morning.
• You can make your area safer by either starting or joining a neighborhood watch group.
• Applying these simple rules can reduce your risk of crime, whether you're home or away.

FAQs

What Is the Most Dangerous City in Kentucky?

The most dangerous city in Kentucky is Louisville. Louisville is the the largest city in the state and has the highest number of reported crimes, particularly violent crimes such as assault, robbery, and homicide. For example,. it records 766 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2023.

What is the Safest Town in Kentucky?

Erlanger is where you want to go if you are looking for the safest towns. It is because of the low total crimes of 555 and a healthy population of 19000+.

What is the Most Common Crime in Kentucky?

Kentucky's criminal cases most often involve property crime. Most incidents reported in the state are theft, burglary and vandalism.

What Areas to Avoid in Louisville Ky?

Even though Louisville has a wide variety of areas, some regions have higher crime rates. Frequent problems occur in the West End and some locations throughout downtown. If you're visiting an area you don't know, review local news reports first.

Conclusion

Overall, Kentucky has a lower rate of violent crime than the rest of the country. Yet, as with any other state, certain cities must handle a higher rate of crime. According to statistics, Lyndon, St. Matthews, and Florence are among the most dangerous cities in Kentucky and Louisville faces challenges with both kinds of crimes. If you live in Kentucky or are coming for a visit, knowing and being ready helps a lot.