Bowling Green, KY Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Bowling Green Safe?
Mostly yes — Bowling Green is fairly safe
Crime is slightly below the national average, though some areas may vary.
Bowling Green has a crime rate that is 23% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 325.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 325
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
19% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 56
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
2% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Bowling Green Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
80 | -20% | Average | |
|
Assault
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
81 | -19% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
80 | -20% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
82 | -18% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
93 | -7% | Average | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
89 | -11% | Average | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bowling Green Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Bowling Green Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Bowling Green zip codes.
Bowling Green Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bowling Green, KY?
Bowling Green, KY has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 23% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 325 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 56 chance for property crime. Bowling Green has lower crime than 53% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bowling Green, KY safe to live in?
Bowling Green is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bowling Green is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bowling Green?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bowling Green is 308.0 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 325 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 4.0 per 100K (20% below average); aggravated assault at 217.4 per 100K (19% below average); robbery at 59.9 per 100K (19% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Bowling Green?
The estimated property crime rate in Bowling Green is 1,800.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 2% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 56 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 220.7 per 100K (18% below average); larceny/theft at 1,297.1 per 100K (7% below average); vehicle theft at 282.8 per 100K (11% below average).
How does Bowling Green crime compare to the national average?
Bowling Green's overall crime rate is 23% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (7% below average), while murder is 20% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bowling Green has lower crime than 53% of them.
Is Bowling Green safe to visit?
Bowling Green is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 2% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Bowling Green crime compare to the rest of Kentucky?
Kentucky as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Bowling Green's crime rate is 23% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kentucky city.
What type of crime is most common in Bowling Green?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bowling Green, with an estimated rate of 1,297.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 7% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,801 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (308 per 100K) in Bowling Green, which is consistent with national trends.