CityCheck
CitiesSafetyAskPlan
C+

Is Shelbyville, Kentucky Safe?

Population 18,453 · Safer than 41% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Shelbyville is a smaller community of 18,453 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 200.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,294 per 100K.

Shelbyville Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricShelbyvilleKentucky AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate304.5307.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1696.12033.91,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate185.0--268.2
Theft Rate1294.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate329.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC+

200.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

305/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1696/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Shelbyville

Violent crime in Shelbyville is below the national average. The rate of 304.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1696.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,294 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Shelbyville Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault185
069% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery61
096% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary184
068% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,294
092% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft329
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Shelbyville Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Shelbyville
304.5
State
307.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Shelbyville
1696.1
State
2033.9
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Shelbyville Safety

Is Shelbyville safe?
It depends on where in Shelbyville you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Shelbyville?
200.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 304.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1696.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Shelbyville safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Shelbyville generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Shelbyville police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Shelbyville?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Shelbyville's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Shelbyville compare to other cities in Kentucky?
Below average for the state. Shelbyville ranks behind about 66% of Kentucky cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 0.9x the national rate.
How safe is Shelbyville to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Shelbyville?
Mixed. Violent crime is 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 41th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Shelbyville?
304.5 per 100,000, which is 16% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (185), robbery (61), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Kentucky

Similar-sized communities in Kentucky. Compare crime rates across the state.

C-
See crime rates in Murray18,964 pop · Grade C-
C
See crime rates in Mount Washington18,989 pop · Grade C
D+
See crime rates in St. Matthews17,868 pop · Grade D+
C-
See crime rates in Danville17,736 pop · Grade C-
D
See crime rates in Madisonville19,428 pop · Grade D
C-
See crime rates in Winchester19,514 pop · Grade C-
View all Kentucky city safety grades

Looking for things to do? See activities, events and places in Shelbyville

Get weekly safety updates for Shelbyville

Weekly crime trend updates and safety grade changes delivered to your inbox.

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.

Know before you go

CityCheck covers safety grades, crime data, and things to do for every US city.

Explore cities