Knox County Crime & Safety

Knox County, Kentucky

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1052.7

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

158.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

893.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

54/100

Higher = safer

State avg 68/100

State Safety Rank

#92

of 120 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Knox County, Kentucky

Knox County Safety and National Trends

Knox County maintains a safety score of 98.3, which is significantly better than the national average. Its total crime rate of 1052.7 per 100K is less than half the U.S. average of 2,385.5. Three reporting agencies manage the safety of the county's residents.

Assessing Knox County Within Kentucky

Knox County's safety score of 98.3 is just below the state average of 98.8. The total crime rate of 1052.7 is also higher than the state's average of 786.2. While safe by national standards, it experiences more frequent crime than the typical Kentucky county.

Local Comparisons: Knox vs Laurel

Knox County’s crime rate of 1052.7 per 100K is slightly lower than that of nearby Laurel County (1129.1). Both counties share similar safety profiles that are safer than the U.S. average but busier than the Kentucky average. This suggests a consistent regional trend in crime activity.

Property and Violent Crime Breakdown

The violent crime rate in Knox County is 158.9 per 100K, which is double the state average of 78.1. Property crime is more prevalent at 893.8 per 100K, though this remains well below the national 2,015.7. Local safety efforts focus on curbing these property-related incidents.

Proactive Home Security in Knox

Enhancing your home's security with deadbolts and alarm systems is a practical way to address the local property crime rate. Active community watch programs can also play a major role in deterring local theft. Taking these steps helps maintain the security of your neighborhood.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Knox County, KY?

Knox County has a total crime rate of 1052.7 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (158.9 per 100K) and property crimes (893.8 per 100K).

Is Knox County, KY safe?

Knox County has a safety score of 54/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #92 out of 120 counties in Kentucky for safety (1 = safest).

How does Knox County crime compare to the Kentucky average?

What types of crime are most common in Knox County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Knox County?

Crime data for Knox 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 Knox County?

Knox County has a safety score of 54/100, 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.