Lexington, KY Crime Rate & Safety

Lexington, KY has a crime safety grade of B- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 25% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 360 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 62 chance for property crime. Lexington has lower crime than 55% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Lexington is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B-. Approximately 96% of the city's 218 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Dogwood Trace is one of the safest areas, while William Wells Brown has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lexington is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Lexington are Dogwood Trace, Glens at Greendale, Cumberland Hill, Copper Run, and Chilesburg. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.

The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Lexington include William Wells Brown, Georgetown Street, Northside, Winburn, and Martin Luther King. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.

The estimated violent crime rate in Lexington is 277.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 27% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 360 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.9 per 100K (22% below average); aggravated assault at 197.1 per 100K (26% below average); robbery at 54.9 per 100K (26% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Lexington is 1,622.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 11% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 62 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 204.9 per 100K (24% below average); larceny/theft at 1,177.7 per 100K (16% below average); vehicle theft at 239.5 per 100K (25% below average).

Lexington's overall crime rate is 25% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (16% below average), while rape is 35% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lexington has lower crime than 55% of them.

Lexington is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 11% 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. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Dogwood Trace, Glens at Greendale, Cumberland Hill.

Kentucky as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Lexington's crime rate is 25% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kentucky city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lexington, with an estimated rate of 1,177.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 16% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,622 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (278 per 100K) in Lexington, which is consistent with national trends.