C
28%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
27%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
39%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleLexington-Fayette/100k peopleKentucky/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime9,585n/a (estimate)2,9861,6632,324
Murder33n/a10.36.86.3
Rape176n/a54.833.840.0
Robbery225n/a70.138.166.1
Assault434n/a135.2135.4268.2
Violent crime868n/a (estimate)270214370
Burglary1,099n/a342.4244.8269.8
Theft6,393n/a1,991.7989.81,401.9
Vehicle theft1,225n/a381.6214.2282.7
Property crime8,717n/a (estimate)2,7161,4491,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lexington-Fayette, KY

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Lexington-Fayette is 28.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 868 violent crimes reported in Lexington-Fayette, equivalent to 270 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 26.9%. Additionally, Lexington-Fayette recorded 8717 property crimes, amounting to 2716 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 39%.

Although the murder rates in America have decreased steadily since 1990, over the last few years there has been an uptick. Lexington-Fayette has one of the highest murder rates in the country when compared to all other cities that reported crime in the U.S. There were a total of 33 murders in Lexington-Fayette, which is 10 murders per 100,000 people.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lexington-Fayette?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Lexington-Fayette. Based on the results of the surveys (77 responses), 45% of people felt that there was very little crime in Lexington-Fayette and felt safe walking alone at night. While 55% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Lexington-Fayette a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Lexington-Fayette is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Lexington-Fayette has an overall crime rate that is 28% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 26.26 daily occurrences, comprising 2.38 violent crimes and 23.88 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Lexington-Fayette as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Lexington-Fayette Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Lexington-Fayette. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Lexington-Fayette has decreased by 3.1%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 8.3%, while property crime has decreased by 2.5%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Lexington-Fayette.

Lexington-Fayette Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Lexington-Fayette area comprises a diverse array of over 36 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Chevy Chase-Ashland Park, Garden Springs and University Of Kentucky which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as Duncan Park, Central Downtown and Castlewood Park exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lexington-Fayette

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Lexington-Fayette, 85.7% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Lexington-Fayette, the cost of living is 2.11% lower than the national average.

The impact of law enforcement and community policing efforts plays a crucial role in shaping crime rates in any city. A robust and cooperative bond between law enforcement and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, enhancing overall safety. In Lexington-Fayette, the ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents stands at 2, differing from the national average of 3.25. Effective law enforcement hinges not solely on officer numbers but also on the manner in which they interact and collaborate with the community. Building trust and cooperation are central tenets of community policing, amplifying its influence on crime prevention.

Lexington-Fayette crime map



The Lexington-Fayette crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Lexington-Fayette as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Lexington-Fayette crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Lexington-Fayette crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Crime Quick Facts

  • Lexington-Fayette crime rates are 28% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Lexington-Fayette are 27% lower than the national average
  • In Lexington-Fayette you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Lexington-Fayette is safer than 31% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Lexington-Fayette has decreased by 1%

Lexington-Fayette, KY Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Lexington-Fayette (per 100,000 people)

        The above illustration depicts the number of crimes committed daily in Lexington-Fayette, per 100,000 residents. In Lexington-Fayette, the total number of daily crimes is 1.80 times more than the Kentucky average and 1.28 times more than the national average. Violent daily crime statistics in Lexington-Fayette are 1.26 times more than the Kentucky average and 1.37 times less than the national average. For property crime, Lexington-Fayette has a daily crime rate that is 1.87 times more than the Kentucky average and 1.39 times more than the daily national average.

        How Safe is Lexington-Fayette (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Kentucky and all other cities across the US, is Lexington-Fayette safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Lexington-Fayette is safer than 6% of other cities in the state of Kentucky. In addition, Lexington-Fayette is safer than 31% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Kentucky and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Lexington-Fayette. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Lexington-Fayette is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lexington-Fayette

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lexington-Fayette is 1 in 370
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lexington-Fayette is 1 in 37
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lexington-Fayette is 1 in 34
        Are you at risk of becoming a victim of crime in Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky? If you reside in Lexington-Fayette, then there is a 1 in 370 chance that you will experience a violent crime. These types of crimes may include homicide, sexual assault, robbery, and physical assault. Your risk of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 37. These types of crime include burglary, petty theft, and theft of motor vehicles. Altogether, there is a 1 in 34 risk that you will become a victim of crime in Lexington-Fayette.

        Year Over Year Crime In Lexington-Fayette (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year crime rate per 100,000 people for Lexington-Fayette is an accurate tool for tracking the rise and fall of crime, and in determining if living in Lexington-Fayette has become safer or more dangerous. The year over year data displayed in the graph shows that violent crimes have decreased by 6% in Lexington-Fayette, while property crimes in Lexington-Fayette have not changed. Total crime has decreased by 1% year over year.

        Lexington-Fayette police department

        Item Lexington-Fayette Kentucky National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)6045,359558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.02.83.3
        There are a total of 604 Lexington-Fayette police officers. This results in 2.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 28.3% less than the Kentucky average and 38.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Kentucky

        State Total offenders Kentucky /100K National /100K
        Kentucky9,099222266
        There are a total of 9,099 sex offenders in Kentucky. This yields a total of 222 sex offenders in Kentucky per 100,000 residents which is 17% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Midway, KY1,86464433497
        Wilmore, KY6,33933625658
        Versailles, KY9,25170907976
        Paris, KY9,776881,1891,278
        Georgetown, KY34,3621131,3971,510
        High Bridge, KY1802081,4111,620
        Nicholasville, KY30,5491321,7131,844
        Lexington-Fayette, KY322,2002702,7162,986

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Corpus Christi, TX326,3327913,1213,912
        Riverside, CA327,5695163,2413,757
        Santa Ana, CA332,6108513,9864,837
        Stockton, CA311,1031,1572,7443,901
        Henderson, NV309,9553031,9192,221
        Lexington-Fayette, KY322,2002702,7162,986
        Source: The Lexington-Fayette, KY crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.