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C-

Is Ashland, Kentucky Safe?

Population 20,996 · Safer than 29% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 20,996, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Ashland earns a C- with violent crime close to the national average. The trend has been positive. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,667 per 100K.

Ashland Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricAshlandKentucky AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate415.3307.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1882.22033.91,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate326.0--268.2
Theft Rate1667.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate377.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC-

229.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

415/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1882/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Ashland

Violent crime in Ashland is close to the national average. The rate of 415.3 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1882.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,667 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 326 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Ashland Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault326
01.2x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery83
01.3x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary288
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,667
01.2x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft377
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Ashland Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ashland
415.3
State
307.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Ashland
1882.2
State
2033.9
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ashland Safety

Is Ashland safe?
Not especially. Ashland earns a C- with a crime rate of 229.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Ashland?
229.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 415.3 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1882.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Ashland safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Ashland's C- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,667 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Ashland?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Ashland generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Ashland police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Ashland?
No. Crime in Ashland has been trending down, which is good news for the C--rated city.
How does Ashland compare to other cities in Kentucky?
Below average for the state. Ashland ranks behind about 78% of Kentucky cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Ashland to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Ashland?
Bad. A C- grade and 229.7 per-thousand rate put Ashland below 71% of US cities. Violent crime at 415 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Ashland?
415.3 per 100,000, which is 14% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (326), robbery (83), and murder (6.0) per 100,000.

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View all Kentucky city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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