We happen to think The Bluegrass State is the very best state. Not only is Kentucky incredibly beautiful, but it’s also full of the friendliest folks and most winsome towns. Kentucky is a great place to raise a family or retire — and everything in between! Recently, the online research group Safewise released their “safest cities” rankings for 2022, using FBI crime statistics and demographic data. As per the research, here are the safest cities in Kentucky:

1. Taylor Mill
Taylor Mill, KY, USA
City of Taylor Mill/Facebook
Taylor Mill is an adorable little locale in Northern Kentucky with great shops, restaurants, and city amenities. It's a place that celebrates small-town life, and residents here enjoy a high quality of living with little in the way of crime.
2. Wilmore
Wilmore, KY 40390, USA
Nyttend/Wikipedia
Wilmore is a charming town in Kentucky that's best-known for a particularly superlative feat of architecture: High Bridge. When built in 1877, the High Bridge was the highest railroad trestle in the world. Today, this 275-foot-tall bridge is still among the tallest titans. In terms of safety, Wilmore made the list because it has virtual no violent crime, and its property crime rates plummeted in the last year.
3. Prospect
Prospect, KY 40059, USA
EX22218 - ON/OFF/Flickr
With a population of just under 5,000, Prospect is a charming small town in one of the most beautiful regions of the state. In fact, this town was selected as the locale for the 2021 Southern Living House, a huge honor for the Bluegrass State!
4. Edgewood
Edgewood, KY, USA
City of Edgewood/Facebook
Low property and violent crime rates have catapulted Edgewood to the Safewise list of safest cities in recent years. The city of Edgewood in northern Kentucky is always on the list of best places to live in the area, and a lot of that has to do with its classic feel. The two main parks are Freedom Park and Presidents Park, there are concerts on the lawns, parades and festivals, and a welcoming neighborhood feel throughout its streets. This place is peak "Americana" vibes, and we simply adore it!
5. Fort Thomas
Edgewood, KY, USA
City of Fort Thomas/Facebook
Over the past few years, people have been flocking to Fort Thomas en masse, as word's gotten out about this wonderful Kentucky town. Not only does Fort Thomas boast low unemployment rates and a low cost of living, but crime rates here are also some of the lowest in the state compared to cities of similar size.

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6. Flatwoods
Flatwoods, KY, USA
City of Flatwoods KY - Local Government/Facebook
A suburb of Ashland, Flatwoods boasts a population of 7,500, low cost of living, and great community programs. With little in the way of crime (the town has a violent crime rate of 0.1% per 1,000 residents), Flatwoods is an all-around great place to live.
7. Villa Hills
Villa Hills, KY 41017, USA
City of Villa Hills/Facebook
With crime rates plummeting in recent years, Villa Hills has emerged as one of the safest cities in Kentucky. With a population of just under 7,500, Villa Hills is one of the best small towns in Kentucky.
8. Lakeside Park-Crestview Hills
Lakeside Park-Crestview Hills Police Department, 40 Town Center Blvd, Crestview Hills, KY 41017, USA
Lakeside Park-Crestview Hills Police Department/Facebook
Another charming small town in Kentucky, Lakeside Park-Crestview Hills climbed 19 spots between 2021 and 2022 due to falling violent crime rates.
9. Independence
Independence, KY, USA
The City of Independence, Kentucky/Facebook
One of the larger cities that's hailed among the safest in Kentucky, Independence is a suburb of Cincinnati with a population of 27,683. Located in beautiful Kenton County, Independence is one of the best places to live in Kentucky, with crime rates well below national average.
10. Lawrenceburg
Lawrenceburg, KY 40342, USA
CityEditor2/Wikipedia
Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, is a charming town of 12,000 with numerous beloved restaurants and locally owned restaurants that make visiting it a delight!

Keep in mind: the good news for Kentucky residents is that The Bluegrass state shows lower property and violent crime rates than the rest of the region *and* country. On average, Kentucky saw half the crime as neighboring states, and 1.5 fewer incidents than the rest of the country, making it a very safe place to call home.

Do you agree with Safewise’s findings about the safest cities in Kentucky? Do you live in any of these cities? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

If you’re looking for more safe places to live in The Bluegrass State, these 13 small towns in Kentucky are all absolutely wonderful!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

More to Explore

Safest Cities in Kentucky

Sarah M. | December 24, 2022

What are the best small towns in Kentucky?

Kentucky’s small towns are the best small towns, and we have big, BIG love for these little locales. While our big cities are certainly a quintessential part of the Bluegrass, our small towns are what makes Kentucky, Kentucky. In terms of the most charming small towns in Kentucky, the folllowing are some of our favorites:

  • Bardstown. Beautiful Bardstown receives lots of attention as the best, most beautiful, and most historic small town in Kentucky, and guess what? It deserves each and every word of praise. With local shops, vibrant businesses, and amazing restaurants at every turn, you’ll enjoy each and every step you take in this winsome *and* walkable Bluegrass town.
  • Berea. Nested in the Cumberland Plateau of Central Kentucky, Berea is an impossibly charming mountain town that's home to a wonderful liberal arts college, thriving arts scene, and lively downtown district. Berea's location is one of its most distinguishing features. Berea College manages the eponymous Berea College Forest, a 9,000-acre expanse that's home to a network of top-tier hiking trails. After a hike, head back to town and enjoy a bite at Apollo Pizza or Hitz BBQ, and then take in some local art. Berea is hailed as the Folk Arts and Crafts Capital of Kentucky; and indeed, Berea is a place that wholly supports the arts, with sculptures and murals painting the town in technicolor!
  • Maysville. Charming Maysville is peak small-town vibes, with a picture-perfect downtown district offering visitors not only amazing shops and eateries, but also a crash course in Bluegrass history. Truly -- if you are curious about history, you'll find it around every corner in Maysville, with numerous Underground Railroad sites, the National Underground Railroad Museum, the Colonel Charles Young Birthplace Cabin, the Mays Lick Rosenwald School, and, just outside town, the oldest covered bridge in Kentucky.

What's it like living in Kentucky?

We love living in Kentucky and think it's the best. Kentucky people are the best people. We’re warm and welcoming, with a culture that celebrates history, music, and cuisine. But there are some who think Kentuckians are a bit weird, whether it’s because everything shuts down for Derby Day — or a sparkling of snow on the ground. There are parts of Kentucky culture that we’re immensely proud of, even if they might seem a bit silly to outsiders. These things are hills every Kentuckian is willing to die on, and we bet you’ll find yourself shaking your head in agreement as you read along!

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