Is Maceo safe?
Owensboro, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Maceo as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Maceo
“Go. Maceo is a peaceful, unincorporated rural community northeast of Owensboro with minimal violent crime and a quiet, close-knit atmosphere. Visitors will encounter virtually no street crime, though a car is essential given the lack of pedestrian infrastructure and commercial density.”
About the area
Maceo is an unincorporated rural community situated in northeastern Daviess County along the US-60 corridor near the Ohio River. It is defined by open agricultural fields, river-adjacent bottomlands, scattered single-family homes, and light industrial facilities.
- Rural
- Agricultural
- Car-Dependent
- Quiet
- Peaceful
Walking and biking in Maceo
Walk score: 12/100 · Bike score: 24/100
There is no bike-share system or dedicated bike lane network in Maceo, with cycling restricted to the narrow paved shoulders of rural roads.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of reported violent and property crime.
- High rate of homeownership contributing to a stable, quiet residential baseline.
- Quick and direct vehicular access to downtown Owensboro via US Highway 60.
Cons
- Virtually no pedestrian infrastructure or street lighting along rural roads.
- Distance from central Owensboro results in longer response times for emergency services.
- Extremely limited local retail and commercial dining options within immediate bounds.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a factor in Maceo, as sheltering services and community resources are centered within urban Owensboro.
What Maceo is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Mornings are calm and quiet, with light commuter and agricultural traffic moving along US-60.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Afternoons remain slow-paced and safe with little local activity outside of agricultural work.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Evenings are dark and tranquil with virtually no street disturbances or safety hazards.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Late nights are pitch black due to limited street lamps, though criminal activity remains negligible.
Transit, parking and getting around
Owensboro Transit System (OTS) does not operate fixed-route bus services out to Maceo; personal vehicles or rural ride-hail services are necessary.
Parking is completely free and abundant across private lots, retail gravel pads, and residential driveways.
Things to do in Maceo
- Explore the nearby nature trails, disc golf course, and historic pioneer village at Yellow Creek Park.
- Take a scenic rural drive along the Ohio River floodplain and back roads of Daviess County.
- Visit seasonal roadside farm stands and local produce vendors in the surrounding agricultural area.
Local favorites
- Yellow Creek Park · County Park · 4.7★ (680)A popular 152-acre park featuring multi-use nature trails, a lake, disc golf, and historic log cabins.
- Iron Skillet Restaurant · Diner · 4.3★ (320)A traditional roadside country diner serving hearty breakfasts, Southern-style lunches, and comfort classics.
- Hill's Quick Mart · Convenience Store · 4.2★ (45)A neighborhood gas station and quick-stop convenience store offering fuel, snacks, and essentials.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.