| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Owensboro/100k people | Kentucky/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,291 | n/a (estimate) | 3,829 | 1,663 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 5.0 | 6.8 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 49 | n/a | 81.9 | 33.8 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 39 | n/a | 65.2 | 38.1 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 130 | n/a | 217.3 | 135.4 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 221 | n/a (estimate) | 369 | 214 | 370 |
| Burglary | 261 | n/a | 436.2 | 244.8 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,545 | n/a | 2,581.9 | 989.8 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 264 | n/a | 441.2 | 214.2 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 2,070 | n/a (estimate) | 3,459 | 1,449 | 1,954 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Owensboro is 64.7% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Owensboro, there were 221 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 369 per 100,000 individuals, 0.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, there were 2070 property crimes, amounting to 3459 per 100,000 residents, 77% higher than the U.S. average.
The violent crime rate in Owensboro closely mirrors the national average among all cities that reported crime, with 369 incidents per 100,000 people. The national average for violent crime per 100,000 people was 370. This consistency highlights Owensboro as a community where safety standards are in line with the broader national landscape, providing residents with a reliable sense of security.
With a total of 264 vehicle thefts last year, Owensboro has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 441 per 100,000 people. This lands Owensboro in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 227.
AreaVibes surveyed 52 local residents in Owensboro to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 31% of people answered that there was very little crime in Owensboro and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 69% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Owensboro a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Owensboro crime rate is 65% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 6.28 crimes per day - 0.61 violent crimes and 5.67 property crimes.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Owensboro. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Owensboro has decreased by 4.8%. Violent crimes have increased by 50.3%, while property crimes have decreased by 8.4%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Owensboro crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Owensboro has an unemployment rate of 2.7%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.
In Owensboro, the cost of living is 11.44% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Owensboro has a median home price of $125,600, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Owensboro | Kentucky | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 135 | 5,359 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.3 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kentucky /100K | National /100K |
| Kentucky | 9,099 | 222 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Masonville, KY | 1,822 | 82 | 558 | 641 |
| Lewisport, KY | 1,824 | 97 | 654 | 750 |
| Rockport, IN | 2,291 | 167 | 843 | 1,010 |
| Whitesville, KY | 640 | 277 | 1,875 | 2,152 |
| Calhoun, KY | 726 | 278 | 1,879 | 2,157 |
| Maceo, KY | 414 | 307 | 2,077 | 2,384 |
| Richland, IN | 506 | 404 | 2,037 | 2,441 |
| Owensboro, KY | 59,796 | 369 | 3,459 | 3,829 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Cupertino, CA | 59,799 | 116 | 1,331 | 1,447 |
| Woodland, CA | 59,759 | 356 | 2,199 | 2,555 |
| West Allis, WI | 59,861 | 286 | 2,607 | 2,894 |
| Pontiac, MI | 59,714 | 1,023 | 1,770 | 2,793 |
| Taylorsville, UT | 59,926 | 306 | 2,393 | 2,699 |
| Owensboro, KY | 59,796 | 369 | 3,459 | 3,829 |
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