Kentucky has many attractions like; natural stunning sceneries, rich history, bourbon production, and many a colorful culture. Well. We will dive deeper into some of the crime statistics, natural disasters, health and wellness factors, and other important factors to understand whether Kentucky is a safe state.
Crime Rates
Based on the FBI statistics, Kentucky has a relatively low violent and property crime index compared to the national rate. Violent crimes in 2020 comprised 219 per 100,000 people while property crimes were 1,965 per 100,000 people in Kentucky, whereas the comparable numbers for the United States were 398 and 2,489, respectively.
Generally, crime in Kentucky is low with the population densities of the commonwealth’s largest cities experiencing slightly more crime than rural regions, but still safe. For instance, Louisville, which is the largest city in Kentucky, has a violent crime rate of 834 per 100000 people; such rates are considerably higher in other large cities like Philadelphia or Memphis.
However, issues with illegality in Kentucky include illicit drug use and distribution of methamphetamine and prescription opioids are prominent. This inflates other related crimes such as burglary, shoplifting, and theft among other offenses. Kentucky also faces an issue of high rates of domestic violence which are seen to be higher than the national average.
Natural Disasters
Kentucky is not a coastal state, and therefore it is not as often threatened by hurricanes and tropical storms that affect other states on the coast. Nevertheless, the central location of Kentucky is disadvantageous for it as tornadoes are rather common in the area. It is estimated that on average 12 tornadoes occur in the state per year with storms in the spring season. The Ohio River valley towns such as Louisville and Paducah and other towns in this region are the most vulnerable to this natural calamity. Even though severe storm events are not very frequent, intense ones can produce violent EF4 or EF5 twisters that lead to significant destruction.
There are also certain risks associated with flooding in Kentucky’s rivers and lakes. Flash floods may occur where water chokes narrow valleys passing through mountains or where dams and levees that protect cities burst due to the intensity of the rainfall. The Western part of Kentucky experiences small earthquakes at rare times but with little impact. Taking into account all these factors, it is possible to state that tornado and flood hazards in Kentucky are rather relevant to prepare for, yet, natural disasters are not particularly dangerous.
Health and Safety
Kentucky has one of the worst health and wellness profiles in the United States and has lower standards in this area than most other states. Thus, certain indicators such as air quality, smoking prevalence, and hospital standards influence disease pressures and shorter life spans. On the other hand, there are fewer incidences of violent crime and traffic accidents than the national average, thus minimizing safety risks.
On the same note, it is also cheap to get treated in hospitals and to acquire shelter regardless of the metropolitan cities of Kentucky such as Lexington and Louisville. This enhances the livability and economic aspects of the whole process. Also, ample parks and community green spaces, recreational waterways, and historical neighborhoods with walkable features in river towns provide health benefits to those who can engage in such features in Kentucky.
The Bottom Line
Kentucky, like any state, does have its problems such as drug addiction and tornadoes but, relatively, the state is safe, has a moderate climate and beautiful countryside for living a happy and comfortable life or raising a family or retiring. Be cautious when it comes to drug use and tornadoes but there is a perception of safety in Kentucky's small towns and lifestyle. While the cost of living increases in most parts of the United States, Kentucky continues to welcome newcomers from other states who are fleeing from both escalating crime rates as well as high living costs which have become the norm in many states. Given the potential health risks, Kentucky offers hope of healthy living in serene environments away from hazardous streets and unpredictable disasters.
