Is Georgetown Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

If you like horses and bourbon, you’ll love Georgetown, Kentucky.

This city is just north of Lexington and one of those charming southern towns that holds onto its history but embraces modern amenities.

Georgetown is one of several cities that claim to be the Birthplace of Bourbon.

There’s even a historical marker explaining its claim to fame.

The Kentucky Horse Park sits between Lexington and Georgetown, with several museums, an equestrian-themed amusement park, and live events throughout the year.

The largest Toyota plant anywhere in the world is located here, with regular tours available to see a vehicle from conception to rolling off the assembly line.

This plant employs more than 10,000 people and makes more than half a million cars a year.

History lessons go far beyond the downtown Main Street with its Southern charm.

You can walk through an area that signifies the friendship of Japan and Kentucky, while in just 30 minutes, you could be sitting in Noah’s ark.

Well, not THE Noah’s Ark, but a replica of it at the Ark Adventure.

Hotels are plentiful in the heart of Georgetown, but this city also has an abundance of rental homes, bed & breakfasts, and unique cabins to consider for your overnight stays.

Warnings & Dangers in Georgetown

OVERALL RISK: LOW

Violent crime rates here are low across the board. Property crimes are slightly higher than the national and state averages. There is a lot to do here and in nearby Lexington, so it's a great place to find someone for everyone. You can enjoy a low risk in Georgetown.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

GTran is the local bus system, with two routes that circle the city six times a day, every day except Sunday. You can also use taxis and rideshares to get around. There's low risk with any option.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

The theft rate here is higher than the national average, but it's not because of pickpocketers. Over the past five years, there have been a few purse snatching reported. There's a low risk of being pickpocketed, but that doesn't mean you should let your guard down.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

Georgetown has a medium risk because all of Kentucky has a medium risk. The state can get ice storms and blizzards in the winter. Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can happen in the spring. Flooding and extreme temperatures are secondary concerns.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

The robbery rate is 40% less than the national average, and just 15% of the robberies in 2020 happened in public places. This is a low risk for a tourist.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in this city of 37,000 people. There's too small of a population and no big targets that would lure a terror group. The Kentucky Intelligence Fusion Center is always watching for potential terrorist activity, and if you see anything suspicious, you can call the new hotline at 1-866-EYE-ON-KY (1-866-393-6659).

SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM

There's a medium risk here, mostly focused on rental scams. The Georgetown Police warned in mid-2022 about fake landlords pressuring people to rent rooms or homes. They use aggressive tactics to get people to pay in advance, even though there isn't actually a place for rent. Always ensure your landlord has a renter's license from the city and never wire money to reserve a spot.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

Women will love the amenities in Georgetown, and they can do so at low risk. Even looking at the crime data by sex, women were victims just 37% of the time.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The 2021 Water Quality Report shows no violations, and all required tests meet all standards. That's a low risk for drinking and bathing using tap water.

Safest Places to Visit in Georgetown

Georgetown’s Victorian-style downtown is a great place to start.

Among the shops and restaurants, you’ll find art galleries and antique shops.

The tourism website, georgetownky.com, has a great interactive map and virtual tour to get the lay of the land before you arrive.

Pick up or print out a map of the Historic Downtown Walking Tour.

It’s self-guided, so you can go at your own pace.

While the homes mentioned in the tour aren’t open for visitors, there are some great places to stop along the way for a drink or a break.

You might need a break because there are 36 stops and side stops along the way.

Nearby Georgetown College has three art galleries of its own.

This small liberal arts college is set on a beautiful campus that stands out in any season but especially looks impressive as the leaves change in the fall.

Elkhorn Creek runs through Georgetown and has some of the best smallmouth bass you can find in the state.

Kayaks and canoes are popular activities on these lazy waters.

Reserve your spot to take a tour of the Toyota plant.

It’s free and full of fun and educational moments.

You must submit information in advance, so check the requirements when you book online.

You can also watch a virtual tour online to decide if it’s something that looks interesting.

Kentucky Horse Park is a more than 1200-acre spot that celebrates championship and show horses from the past, present, and the future as a training ground.

You will have plenty of opportunities to meet the horses and can even pay extra for a pony or horse ride.

You’ll learn fascinating facts, such as why only a horse’s head gets buried when they pass.

(I’m not spilling the beans now!)

Yuko-en is a beautiful garden symbolic of the friendship between Japan and Kentucky.

This friendship garden is five acres large with bluegrass scenic views, a pond, and beautiful flowers displayed all year long.

This garden is free and is open anytime there’s daylight.

The Ark Encounter is a one-of-a-kind experience that makes the 30-minute drive worth it.

This three-story ark is modeled after the very ark Noah made in the bible.

There’s a virtual reality exhibit that is made to immerse you in biblical times as the flood is approaching and animals are being loaded.

They didn’t forget the animals here either.

The Ararat Ridge Zoo is a place to see unique animals worldwide.

Places to Avoid in Georgetown

While there isn’t a part of Georgetown too dangerous to visit, north of Main Street is a higher crime area.

It’s also a more touristy area, so that makes sense.

Since this is horse country, most attractions, like the horse park, are still going to be open in the rain.

It’s going to take severe weather to shut down the outdoor attractions.

Bring a raincoat and rainboots with you.

You don’t want to get stuck in a sudden downpour and then sit in wet clothes while the humidity rises.

One warning about the Ark Encounter.

It touts heavily the “sister attraction” of Creation World, which is a bible-themed amusement park complete with its own Garden of Eden.

It also includes the popular bible activity of zip lining.

(That last sentence was sarcasm, but there is a zip line.)

While they are sister attractions, Creation World is another hour north of the Ark Encounter, so you’ll be a good 90 minutes away from Georgetown at the end of that day.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Georgetown

So... How Safe Is Georgetown Really?

Georgetown is slightly below average with much of its crime, so there’s no overwhelming risk of danger or underwhelming sense of security.

All the basic personal safety steps will go a long way there.

Here’s how the risks break down for the top crimes of concern to tourists:

• Violent Crime: 1 in 363 risk
• Robbery: 1 in 1,942 risk
• Theft: 1 in 54 risk

10% of violent crimes were against strangers, which is a comforting statistic since the crime that does happen isn’t necessarily targeting tourists.

32% of violent crimes also happened in homes.

With so many things to do, you’ll be able to keep busy here and avoid finding trouble.

You should review our other safety reviews of nearby cities. Just because one city is rated at low risk doesn’t mean the city next door is just as safe.

Nearby Lexington was rated as one of the safest metro areas in 2018, but a lot has changed since then, and now it doesn’t even make the top 20 safest cities list.

It’s still a wonderful place to visit and a nice complement for a trip to Georgetown, Kentucky.

How Does Georgetown Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

You'll need a U.S. Travel or Work Visa to get into the country, but once you do, you can travel freely through the states without needing to present your visa. Put it in a safe place during your trip because you'll need it at the airport when you leave.

Currency

You can only use the U.S. Dollar (USD) here. You should exchange currency in Lexington or at the airport. In the event, your wallet goes missing or gets stolen, copy down the credit card number and the contact phone number you'd need to use if you had to report the missing item.

Weather

The weather can change here faster than a thoroughbred can run. Bring layers of clothing for much of the year to add on or remove items as the temperatures change. You should bring rain gear for spring through fall and outwear for winter, although there will be times you won't need it.

Airports

The Blue Grass Airport in Lexington is just 30 miles away. It's the closest and best option. You can also get to the airports in Cincinnati or Louisville in an hour's drive time.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance is smart to protect your ticket price, belongings, and safety along the way through the Bluegrass State.

Georgetown Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Kentucky - Safety by City