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C+

Is Berea, Kentucky Safe?

Population 16,662 · Safer than 42% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Berea is a smaller community of 16,662 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 197.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,321 per 100K.

Berea Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBereaKentucky AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate215.6307.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1755.72033.91,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate152.0--268.2
Theft Rate1321.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate331.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

197.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

216/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1756/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Berea

Violent crime in Berea is well below the national average. The rate of 215.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1755.7 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,321 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Berea Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault152
057% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary204
076% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,321
094% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft331
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Berea Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Berea
215.6
State
307.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Berea
1755.7
State
2033.9
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Berea Safety

Is Berea safe?
It depends on where in Berea you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime well below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Berea?
197.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 215.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1755.7 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Berea safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Berea has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Berea?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Berea generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Berea police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Berea?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Berea's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Berea compare to other cities in Kentucky?
Middle of the pack for Kentucky. Berea isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 42th percentile among Kentucky cities.
How safe is Berea to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Berea?
Mixed. Violent crime is well below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 42th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Berea?
215.6 per 100,000, which is 41% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (152), robbery (44), and murder (4.0) 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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