Fayette County Crime & Safety

Fayette County, Kentucky

Safety Score

6/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3221.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

291.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2930.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

6/100

Higher = safer

State avg 68/100

State Safety Rank

#119

of 120 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Fayette County, Kentucky

Urban Challenges in Fayette County

Fayette County faces a total crime rate of 3,221.2 per 100,000, which sits above the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these urban challenges, the county maintains a respectable safety score of 94.9.

Safety Trends in Kentucky's Major Hub

The county's safety score of 94.9 trails the Kentucky state average of 98.8, reflecting its status as a major metropolitan center. As a high-activity area, it sees more reporting across its seven active law enforcement agencies.

Comparing Lexington to the Commonwealth

Fayette's crime rate is higher than the state average of 786.2, though this is typical for Kentucky's largest population centers. It serves as a regional contrast to the surrounding rural counties with much lower activity levels.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime dominates the data with a rate of 2,930.2, significantly higher than the violent crime rate of 291.0. These numbers indicate that most incidents involve theft or burglary rather than physical confrontations.

Prioritizing Security in the City

High property crime rates make home security a priority for Lexington area residents. Investing in alarm systems and smart doorbells can provide peace of mind in this busy urban environment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Fayette County, KY?

Fayette County has a total crime rate of 3221.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (291.0 per 100K) and property crimes (2930.2 per 100K).

Is Fayette County, KY safe?

Fayette County has a safety score of 6/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #119 out of 120 counties in Kentucky for safety (1 = safest).

How does Fayette County crime compare to the Kentucky average?

What types of crime are most common in Fayette County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Fayette County?

Crime data for Fayette County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Fayette County?

Fayette County has a safety score of 6/100, which is below the Kentucky average of 68/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.