Martin Luther King Neighborhood, Lexington

Crime Rate & Statistics

C+

Moderate safety — crime is near or slightly above average

Safer than 4% of neighborhoods in Lexington

Safety at a Glance

Overall Crime High

Low 166 / 300 High

Violent Crime 114

14% above national avg

Property Crime 142

42% above national avg

City Ranking

safer than other

Lexington neighborhoods

Check a specific address

in Lexington

Is Martin Luther King Safe?

Somewhat — crime here is near the national average. Martin Luther King in Lexington, KY has a safety grade of C+. The overall crime index is 166, which is 66% above the national average of 100. Martin Luther King is safer than 4% of neighborhoods in Lexington.

Compared to the Lexington average (crime index 88), Martin Luther King is 78% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.

Looking at specific crime types, assault is the most elevated concern (index: 170, 70% above average), while robbery is the lowest risk (index: 66). Property crime is more prevalent than violent crime here, consistent with broader national patterns.

Highest Risk

Assault · Index 170 (70% above avg)

Lowest Risk

Robbery · Index 66 (34% below avg)

Martin Luther King Crime Breakdown

Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Lexington city average. Higher values mean more crime.

Crime Type	Index	vs National	vs Lexington	Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder	117	+17%	+26%	Moderate
Assault	170	+70%	+75%	High
Robbery	66	-34%	-26%	Low
Rape	102	+2%	N/A	Moderate
Property Crime
Burglary	157	+57%	+65%	High
Larceny / Theft	139	+39%	+44%	Moderate
Vehicle Theft	131	+31%	+44%	Moderate

How Martin Luther King Compares

Crime index by category: Martin Luther King vs Lexington average vs national average.

Crime by Category

Overall Crime Comparison

Martin Luther King Crime Map

Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.

Full Screen Map

Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Martin Luther King Demographics & Context

Population

1,577

Median Income

$29,867

Home Value

$237,044

Median Age

Pop. Density

7,608/mi²

Education

Bachelor's Degree 23.9%

Graduate Degree 7.7%

Housing

28%

72%

Owner-occupied Renter-occupied

Racial Demographics

White 33.4%

Black 58.4%

Hispanic 7.8%

Asian 0.6%

Nearby Neighborhoods

Gratz Park Index: 196

C-

North Upper Street Index: 118

A-

William Wells Brown Index: 179

D+

Fayette Park Index: 180

B-

Northside Index: 189

C-

Brucetown Index: 176

C-

Bell Court Index: 131

Historic South Hill Index: 181

Martin Luther King Crime Map

Interactive crime heatmap for this neighborhood

Lexington Crime Statistics

View all Lexington neighborhoods & city-wide data

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Martin Luther King, Lexington?

Martin Luther King in Lexington, KY has a crime safety grade of C+ as of 2026. The overall crime index is 166, which is 66% above the national average. Compared to the Lexington average, crime in Martin Luther King is 78% higher. Martin Luther King is safer than 4% of neighborhoods in Lexington.

Is Martin Luther King a safe neighborhood in Lexington?

Martin Luther King has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C+. Residents should take standard precautions. The highest concern is Assault (index: 170), while Robbery is the lowest risk (index: 66).

How does Martin Luther King compare to the rest of Lexington?

Martin Luther King's overall crime index is 166, compared to the Lexington average of 88. This means crime in Martin Luther King is 78% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 114, and for property crime it is 142. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.

What type of crime is most common in Martin Luther King?

The most prevalent crime type in Martin Luther King is Assault, with a crime index of 170 (70% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.

What are safer neighborhoods near Martin Luther King?

Nearby neighborhoods with good safety ratings include North Upper Street, Fayette Park, Bell Court and Historic South Hill. These areas are close to Martin Luther King and offer lower crime rates, making them worth considering for residents who prioritize safety.

What are the demographics of Martin Luther King?

Martin Luther King has a population of approximately 1,577. The median household income is $29,867. The median home value is $237,044. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.

How does Martin Luther King crime compare to the national average?

Martin Luther King's overall crime rate is 66% above the national average (index 166 vs 100). Within Lexington, it is safer than 4% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.

Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.