Owensboro, KY Crime Rate & Safety

Owensboro, KY has a crime safety grade of B as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 37% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 423 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 68 chance for property crime. Owensboro has lower crime than 71% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Owensboro is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B. Approximately 100% of the city's 12 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Hillcrest Area is one of the safest areas, while Northwest Side has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Owensboro is strongly recommended.

Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Owensboro are Hillcrest Area, Shifley-York, Wesleyan-Shawnee, Apollo Area, and Dogwood Azalea. 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 Owensboro include Northwest Side, Dugan Best, Old Owensboro, Seven Hills, and Midtown East. 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 Owensboro is 236.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 38% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 423 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (33% below average); aggravated assault at 168.4 per 100K (37% below average); robbery at 44.0 per 100K (41% below average).

The estimated property crime rate in Owensboro is 1,476.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 19% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 68 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 166.4 per 100K (38% below average); larceny/theft at 1,073.1 per 100K (23% below average); vehicle theft at 237.0 per 100K (26% below average).

Owensboro's overall crime rate is 37% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (23% below average), while robbery is 41% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Owensboro has lower crime than 71% of them.

Owensboro is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 19% 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 Hillcrest Area, Shifley-York, Wesleyan-Shawnee.

Kentucky as a whole has crime that is 18% above the national average. Owensboro's crime rate is 37% below the national average, making it safer the typical Kentucky city.

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Owensboro, with an estimated rate of 1,073.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 23% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,477 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (236 per 100K) in Owensboro, which is consistent with national trends.