Is Owensboro or Shively Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Owensboro is safer than Shively (Safety Score 15/100 vs 12/100), with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100,000 versus 3,592 for Shively — 9% lower. Owensboro has lower rates in 5 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Owensboro has a 87% lower rate.
Note: Owensboro is 3.9x 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
Shively — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Owensboro, KY
Shively, KY
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Owensboro | Shively | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,266.4 | 3,592.3 | -325.9 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 349.4 | 311.8 | +37.6 |
| Murder Rate | 1.7 | 13.0 | -11.3 |
| Rape Rate | 78.2 | 45.5 | +32.7 |
| Robbery Rate | 44.9 | 129.9 | -85.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 224.6 | 116.9 | +107.7 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,917.0 | 3,280.5 | -363.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 337.8 | 545.7 | -207.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,258.1 | 1,942.3 | +315.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 321.2 | 792.5 | -471.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Owensboro or Shively safer?
Owensboro is safer with a total crime rate of 3,266 per 100K vs 3,592 for Shively — a 9% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Owensboro has a violent crime rate of 349.4 per 100K while Shively has 311.8. Shively 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 Shively, KY
Shively, once home to numerous distilleries, is a suburban city in Jefferson County, Kentucky, bordering Louisville. Its diverse population reflects a mix of working-class families and long-time residents. With a safety score of 12/100 and a population coverage of 15,394, Shively has a total crime rate of 3,592.3 per 100,000 residents.