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C

Is Shelby, North Carolina Safe?

Population 23,309 · Safer than 32% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 23,309, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Shelby earns a C with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,176 per 100K.

Shelby Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricShelbyNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate260.8317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1949.12053.51,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate202.0--268.2
Theft Rate1176.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate181.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

221 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

261/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC-

1949/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Shelby

Violent crime in Shelby is below the national average. The rate of 260.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1949.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,176 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Shelby Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault202
075% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery42
066% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary296
01.1x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,176
084% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft181
057% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Shelby Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Shelby
260.8
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Shelby
1949.1
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Shelby Safety

Is Shelby safe?
Not especially. Shelby earns a C with a crime rate of 221 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Shelby?
221 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 260.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1949.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Shelby safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Shelby's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,176 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Shelby?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Shelby generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Shelby police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Shelby?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Shelby's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Shelby compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Shelby ranks behind about 75% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.1x the national rate.
How safe is Shelby 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 Shelby?
Bad. A C grade and 221 per-thousand rate put Shelby below 68% of US cities. Violent crime at 261 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Shelby?
260.8 per 100,000, which is 28% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (202), robbery (42), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

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View all North Carolina 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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