Is Lexington or Shelbyville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI data, Shelbyville is safer than Lexington (Safety Score 69/100 vs 28/100), with a total crime rate of 1,141 per 100,000 versus 2,536 for Lexington — 55% lower. Lexington has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Shelbyville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lexington is 18.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Quiz: which of these is SAFER than Lexington, KY?
Lexington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Shelbyville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lexington, KY
Shelbyville, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lexington | Shelbyville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,536.4 | 1,141.5 | +1,394.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 262.0 | 133.6 | +128.4 |
| Murder Rate | 5.0 | 0.0 | +5.0 |
| Rape Rate | 51.7 | 33.4 | +18.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 79.5 | 5.6 | +73.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 125.9 | 94.7 | +31.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,274.4 | 1,007.9 | +1,266.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 264.8 | 128.1 | +136.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,728.4 | 746.1 | +982.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 281.2 | 133.6 | +147.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lexington or Shelbyville safer?
Shelbyville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,141 per 100K vs 2,536 for Lexington — a 55% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lexington has a violent crime rate of 262.0 per 100K while Shelbyville has 133.6. Shelbyville has lower violent crime.
About Lexington, KY
About Shelbyville, KY
Shelbyville, seat of Shelby County, is a Kentucky Bourbon Trail stop nestled in the heart of the Bluegrass region. This town, known as the "Saddlebred Capital of the World," boasts a population of around 17,000 residents. With a safety score of 69/100 and a population coverage of 17,959, Shelbyville has a total crime rate of 1,141.5 per 100,000 residents.