Mercer County Crime & Safety

Mercer County, Kentucky

Safety Score

75/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Safe

Total Crime Rate

600.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

53.0

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

547.2

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

75/100

Higher = safer

State avg 68/100

State Safety Rank

#65

of 120 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Mercer County, Kentucky

Mercer County Maintains Strong Safety Scores

Mercer County reports a total crime rate of 600.2 per 100,000, significantly beating the national average of 2,385.5. The county earns a safety score of 99.1 out of 100. This data reflects a community that is much safer than the typical American locale.

A Safe Choice Within Kentucky

Mercer County’s safety score of 99.1 exceeds the Kentucky state average of 98.8. Its total crime rate of 600.2 also remains lower than the statewide average of 786.2 per 100,000. Five different reporting agencies provide comprehensive data, ensuring high transparency for these safety metrics.

Analyzing Safety Against Local Peers

Mercer County’s total crime rate of 600.2 is higher than Metcalfe County’s 494.5. However, Mercer boasts a very competitive violent crime rate of 53.0, which is lower than Meade County's 70.1. Residents benefit from safety levels that are consistently better than the state norm.

Violent Crime Remains Very Low

Violent crime in Mercer County is 53.0 per 100,000, far below the national average of 369.8. Property crime is the main contributor to local stats at 547.2, though this is still much lower than the national benchmark of 2,015.7. Practical risks center more on minor property issues than physical threats.

Securing Property in Mercer County

Since property crime is the most frequent issue, residents should prioritize home deterrents. Outdoor lighting and locked entry points are effective ways to discourage opportunistic thieves. These efforts help sustain the county’s reputation as a secure place to live and work.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Mercer County, KY?

Mercer County has a total crime rate of 600.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (53.0 per 100K) and property crimes (547.2 per 100K).

Is Mercer County, KY safe?

Mercer County has a safety score of 75/100, rated "Safe". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #65 out of 120 counties in Kentucky for safety (1 = safest).

How does Mercer County crime compare to the Kentucky average?

What types of crime are most common in Mercer County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Mercer County?

Crime data for Mercer 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.

Why is Mercer County safer than the Kentucky average?

Mercer County has a safety score of 75/100, which is above the Kentucky average of 68/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.