KY · 2 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in Kentucky
Kentucky recorded 216 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 34% below the national rate and down 3% since 2022. We cover Louisville and Lexington. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
FBI data · 2025
Most dangerous cities in Kentucky, ranked
The 2 Kentucky cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 2 of 2 run above the state average of 216. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisville | 683 | 3,455 | 691,630 |
| 2 | Lexington | 229 | 2,086 | 330,994 |
| Kentucky average | 216 | 1,283 | ||
| US average | 330 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2025 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. How we rank cities.
Kentucky crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in Kentucky?
Of the 2 Kentucky cities in our ranking, Louisville has the highest violent crime rate: 683 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 3.2 times the state average. Lexington comes next. Even in Louisville, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our Louisville guide shows which ones.
Is Kentucky safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. Kentucky recorded 216 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 34% below the national rate of 330. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 2 city guides cover them block by block.
Is crime going up or down in Kentucky?
Violent crime in Kentucky went from 223 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 216 in 2025, down 3%. Property crime went from 1,506 to 1,283 over 2022–2025, down 15%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.