City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Shelbyville, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Shelbyville - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

17,436
Residents
$73,733
Median income
$238,600
Median home
$1,143
Median rent (state)

Shelbyville - the verdict

Nationally, Shelbyville sits in the 55th percentile for household income and the 58th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

55th
percentile, household income
53rd
percentile, home value
32nd
percentile, median rent
58th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Shelbyville, KY

17,436 people live in Shelbyville, Kentucky - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $73,733 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.7%. Shelbyville's housing stock carries a median value of $238,600, and the median resident age is 36.8 years. 25.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 66.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Shelbyville reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 1141.5 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 53.5°F with 49.8 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kentucky scores 90.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,143 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 61.9 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

17,436 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$73,733 /yr

Poverty 8.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Shelbyville compare to other US cities?

Where Shelbyville sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 55% higher than other cities
Home value 53% pricier than other cities
Median rent 32% pricier than other cities
Safety 58% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kentucky, Shelbyville ranks #123 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Shelbyville against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Shelbyville toward the top of Kentucky's cities

Among the 484 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Shelbyville ranks #106 - the 78th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Shelbyville only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#147 of 485
70th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#195 of 520
62nd percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#106 of 484
78th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#307 of 519
40th percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#184 of 520
64th percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

55thIncome percentile
58thSafety percentile

55th percentile nationally for median household income · 58th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Shelbyville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Shelbyville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 57 Avg. percentile National median
Shelbyville's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Shelbyville's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$238,600 47th percentile more affordable than 47% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Shelbyville $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Shelbyville, KY Shelbyville, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Shelbyville, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Shelbyville, KY median $73,733/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Shelbyville, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Shelbyville, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 66.7%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
17,436
Median Income
$73,733
Median Home Value
$238,600
Median Age
36.8
Poverty Rate
8.7%
Labor force participation
66.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1141.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
133.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1007.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
53.5°F
Annual Precipitation
49.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
17,000 residents17,500 residents18,000 residents18,500 residents19,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 17,355 residents 18,453 residents ▲ +6.3%
Shelbyville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
78.0%
Carpool
12.0%
Public Transit
0.2%
Walk
0.2%
Work from Home
8.9%
Other
0.7%

Based on 8,790 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Shelbyville sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,143/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
61.9 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

St. Matthews
17,491 people
Fort Thomas
17,242 people
Danville
17,235 people
Murray
17,888 people
Burlington
18,090 people
Mount Washington
18,228 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Shelbyville's 17,436 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Kingstowne, VA
17,436 people
Auburndale, FL
17,438 people
Heber, UT
17,438 people
Selma, AL
17,442 people
Pinewood, FL
17,427 people
Burke Centre, VA
17,447 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Shelbyville's $73,733 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Toftrees, PA
$73,724 median income
Racine, WV
$73,724 median income
Homer, AK
$73,723 median income
Denton, TX
$73,719 median income
Ranburne, AL
$73,750 median income
Stewartville, AL
$73,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Shelbyville, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Shelbyville, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 70.4% 8.7% 7.2% 12.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 20.1% White 70.4% Black or African American 8.7% Asian 0.6% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.2% Two or more races 12.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Shelbyville compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Shelbyville (this city) 17,436 $73,733
St. Matthews 17,491 $80,716
Fort Thomas 17,242 $100,819
Danville 17,235 $53,370
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Shelbyville, KY?

What is the population of Shelbyville, KY? +

Shelbyville, KY has a population of 17,436 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Shelbyville, KY? +

The median household income in Shelbyville is $73,733 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Shelbyville? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Shelbyville; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Shelbyville, KY safe? +

Shelbyville has a total crime rate of 1141.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Shelbyville, KY? +

Shelbyville's median home value sits at $238,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Shelbyville? +

Shelbyville has an average annual temperature of 53.5°F, 49.8 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.