Is Owensboro or Shelbyville Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Shelbyville is safer than Owensboro (Safety Score 69/100 vs 15/100), with a total crime rate of 1,141 per 100,000 versus 3,266 for Owensboro — 65% lower. Owensboro has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Shelbyville has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 3.3x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Owensboro — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Shelbyville — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro, KY
Shelbyville, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owensboro | Shelbyville | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,266.4 | 1,141.5 | +2,125.0 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.4 | 133.6 | +215.8 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 0.0 | +1.7 |
| Rape Rate | 78.2 | 33.4 | +44.8 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.9 | 5.6 | +39.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.6 | 94.7 | +130.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,917.0 | 1,007.9 | +1,909.2 |
| Burglary Rate | 337.8 | 128.1 | +209.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,258.1 | 746.1 | +1,511.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.2 | 133.6 | +187.5 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owensboro or Shelbyville safer?
Shelbyville is safer with a total crime rate of 1,141 per 100K vs 3,266 for Owensboro — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owensboro has a violent crime rate of 349.4 per 100K while Shelbyville has 133.6. Shelbyville has lower violent crime.
About Owensboro, KY
Owensboro, Kentucky, known for its International Bluegrass Music Museum, sits on the Ohio River. This Daviess County seat is the fourth-largest city by population in the state. With a safety score of 15/100 and a population coverage of 60,096, Owensboro has a total crime rate of 3,266.4 per 100,000 residents.
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.