Beautiful, friendly, and charming are just several of the many adjectives that describe The Bluegrass State.
With a low cost of living and fairly safe towns and cities, Kentucky is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
With more than 4.4 million residents across the state and large cities like Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky is most famous for bluegrass music, tobacco, horse racing, moonshine, and bourbon.
Compared to national levels, Kentucky has a respectable low level of crime.
The state’s violent crime rating is just 2.2 per 1,000 residents, which is 57% lower than the national average.
The state’s property crime also sits below the national average, so overall, Kentucky is a beautiful place to visit!
To learn more about the safest towns and cities in Kentucky, keep reading!
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10 Safest Cities in Kentucky
If you are planning a trip to the Bluegrass state to enjoy some bourbon, horse racing, or just kick back and relax, these are the 10 safest communities for visitors and residents.
Indian Hills
Only minutes from Downtown Louisville, Indian Hills has a slightly higher property crime rate than others on this list at 9.3 incidences, violent crime is close to zero.
This picturesque town gives visitors and residents access to plenty of outdoor activities, with an easy commute into Louisville for a variety of cultural and sporting events.
Taylor Mill
This adorable little Northern Kentucky town boasts big-city amenities with a small-town America feel.
Ma and Pa shops and restaurants dot the main street, so Taylor Mill is a destination that celebrates the best small-town life has to offer, with residents enjoying a high standard of living.
Best of all the violent crime rating is only 0.3 and the property crime is 6.2.
Independence
With a name like Independence, you would expect a low violent crime rating of 0.5 and a property crime rating of 4.4.
With a population of around 28,000, this is one of the larger cities on our list.
Located in picturesque Kenton County, you can find Independence on most top ten lists due to the low crime, low cost of living, and plenty of community activities.
Fort Thomas
In recent years, new residents have been flocking to Fort Thomas in droves, as the word is out about this wonderful town.
In addition to boasting a low cost of living and low unemployment rates, Fort Thomas features incredibly low crime rates compared to other cities of comparable size.
With a population coming in at around 16,000, Fort Thomas boasts a violent crime rating of 0.3 and a property crime rate of 5.1.
Pioneer Village
With a population of 2,800, Pioneer village certainly is a village.
Due to its small size and overall violent crime rating of 0, residents feel safe in Pioneer Village.
As a suburb of Louisville, traveling into the city to experience culture and amazing restaurants is a breeze!
Williamstown
With a population of only 4,000 residents, Williamstown has little in the way of crime, with an overall violent crime rating of 0, you will not have any issues on your visit.
Given Williamstown’s location in Northern Kentucky, you can easily take a day trip to Cincinnati to enjoy the local culture, professional sporting events, or look at priceless art.
Hartford
This delightful town is surrounded by the rolling blue Kentucky hills!
The funny town slogan of “Home to 2,000 happy people and a few soreheads,” Hartford encompasses the small town lifestyle and ordeal by screaming out, don’t take life too seriously.
In addition to lacking in “soreheads,” Hartford is also lacking in crime.
With a total combined crime rate of 0, you can safely visit and join the 2,000 happy residents.
West Liberty
Nestled in stunning Morgan County, West Liberty is the third safest city in Kentucky.
This is due to an overall crime score of just 0.6 crimes per 1,000 residents.
West Liberty is in the middle of Kentucky, with the closest city being Lexington.
As such, it is an outdoor enthusiast’s dream, with plenty of hiking trails and other outdoor activities.
Flatwoods
Coming in at number two on our list is Flatwoods, a small town with a population of 7,500 residents, excellent community programs, and a low cost of living.
With a violent crime rate of 0.1 and a property crime rate of 3.7, you can visit this town on the Ohio River knowing that you will be safe when exploring the area.
Providence
Drumroll, please!
The safest community on our list is Providence!
A tiny town of only 3,100 residents, Providence is an active member of the Kentucky Main Street Program, which is an organization that focuses on embracing and improving small-town life.
As expected for the safest place in Kentucky, violent and property crime rates are near or at zero incidences.
5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Kentucky
Although Kentucky is a safe state, you still should take certain precautions to ensure your visit goes off without a hitch.
Tips include:
Tip #1: Drink Responsibly
The first rule of thumb is to always drink responsibly when out at bars and restaurants, so you do not put yourself in a vulnerable situation.
Given that you do not know the area, you could end up lost or wander into a dangerous neighborhood.
Also, being visibly drunk makes you an obvious target for robbery, scams, or worse.
Tip #2: Do Nott Flash Valuables
Wearing flashy jewelry around town is a fantastic way to make you the target of a robbery.
This is especially true in large crowds on event weekends like the Kentucky Derby, where scammers are searching for high-value items.
Tip #3: Be Money Smart
All travel safety information lists tell you not to carry large sums of cash.
Instead, use one of the many ATMs around Kentucky to withdraw what you need, when you need it.
If you must have large sums of cash with you, then lock it safely in your hotel room and just carry what is required for the day.
.Also, always go to bank ATMs in Kentucky to avoid scams or large withdrawal fees.
Furthermore, separate your credit cards and cash into several places, so if one stash is misplaced or stolen, you have a backup plan.
Tip #4: Know Emergency Phone Numbers
While 911 is the main emergency number in Kentucky and across the U.S., it is important to look up other emergency services numbers before entering the state.
Simply save them on your phone for quick access if an emergency should arise.
Tip #5: Use the Right Bag
Cross-body bags are considered the safest option compared to hand or should bags, as they can prevent thieves from snatching your bag as they drive or run by.
There are countless bags meant for traveling with locking zippers, RFID blockers, and slash-proof straps.
Sources
- https://www.iexplore.com/articles/travel-guides/north-america/united-states/kentucky/weather
- https://weatherspark.com/y/15227/Average-Weather-in-Louisville-Kentucky-United-States-Year-Round
- https://www.worldpackers.com/articles/simple-travel-safety-tips
Kentucky Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Kentucky Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the seasonal weather like in Kentucky?
Kentucky’s location places it on the border of the warm south and cool north, which results in mild climate conditions throughout the year.
Residents enjoy four seasons with an average high of 87 F in the summer and an average low of 23 F in the winter.
Precipitation falls throughout the year, with an average of 46 inches, most of which is rain and some snow at higher elevations.
The summers are not oppressively hot, and winters are not oppressively cold.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring is an excellent time to visit the state because the warm March temperatures allow the bluegrass to grow, thus giving Kentucky a velvety green appearance.
From April until the end of May, you can expect an ideal temperature with a few showers that support the flowers and plants.
Fall is also a wonderful time to visit.
By the end of September, the temperatures are cold, and the foliage begins to appear at a higher elevation.
October is the ideal month for a fall visit and to watch the leaves change, especially in the Appalachian foothills.
Daytime temperatures are perfect in the mid-60s to low 70s.
When is the worst time to visit?
The muggier weather, which appears in the summer from early June into September, is undoubtedly the worst time to visit the state.
The comfort level is often described as miserable and oppressive at least 17% of the time.
The month with the muggiest days in July, with an average of 20/30 days muggy or worse.
Therefore, you do not want to visit in July if you cannot stand high humidity levels.
I’m curious about how the safety rankings of these cities have changed over the years. Are these cities consistently safe, or have there been significant improvements?
This list is fantastic! I’ve lived in Kentucky all my life, and it’s great to see some of my favorite cities being recognized for their safety. It makes me even prouder to call this state my home.