Shively, KY Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Shively, KY

What is Shively's overall crime grade and what does it mean?

Shively, KY receives an overall crime grade of D for 2026. This grade places the city in the lower tier of safety rankings when compared to national benchmarks. With a population of approximately 15,723 residents and a population density of 1,327 people per square mile, crime is distributed across a relatively compact suburban footprint. The D grade reflects elevated rates of both property and violent crime relative to similarly sized U.S. cities, and signals that residents should take active precautions rather than assuming average risk levels.

How does Shively's crime rate compare to other Kentucky cities?

Shively's D overall crime grade puts it among the higher-risk suburbs in the Louisville metro area. Several socioeconomic indicators help explain the elevated crime level: the city's poverty rate stands at 19.1% — nearly one in five residents — and the unemployment rate is 7.3%, both of which are correlated with higher crime in peer cities across Kentucky. The median household income of $41,455 is notably below the Kentucky state median, which further contributes to economic stress that researchers consistently link to property crime in particular. Compared to lower-crime Kentucky suburbs with poverty rates under 10% and unemployment near 4–5%, Shively faces measurably steeper challenges.

What types of crime are most common in Shively?

Property crime is the dominant concern in Shively, consistent with national patterns for cities with higher poverty and unemployment rates. Theft-related offenses — including motor vehicle theft, shoplifting, and residential burglary — tend to make up the largest share of reported incidents. Violent crime, including assault, is also reported at rates above the national average for cities of Shively's size (under 20,000 residents). The city's relatively high population density of 1,327 people per square mile means incidents are geographically concentrated, and crime mapping tools can help residents identify specific corridors or blocks with elevated activity. Vandalism and public nuisance calls round out the most frequently reported categories.

Is Shively safe to live in?

Safety in Shively is mixed and depends heavily on specific location within the city. The overall D crime grade suggests that risk is meaningfully higher than average, particularly for property crime. However, Shively's median home value of $109,362 and median rent of $756 make it one of the more affordable communities in the Louisville metro, and many residents weigh that affordability against the elevated crime environment. Families and individuals who invest in home security measures, stay engaged with neighborhood watch programs, and regularly consult the Shively crime map tend to report feeling safer in day-to-day life. The key is being informed: a D grade does not mean every block is dangerous, but it does mean vigilance is warranted across most parts of the city.

What are the safest areas in Shively, KY?

While granular neighborhood-level grades are not always published separately, crime mapping data for Shively generally shows that residential areas further from high-traffic commercial corridors tend to report fewer incidents. Quieter, well-maintained blocks with active community associations and higher rates of owner-occupied housing — where neighbors know each other — consistently show lower incident densities on the crime map. Given Shively's compact size (roughly 11–12 square miles), even the relatively safer pockets are close to higher-activity zones, so no area should be considered entirely insulated. Prospective residents are encouraged to filter the crime map by incident type and time period to assess specific streets before making housing decisions.

How does Shively's poverty rate affect its crime statistics?

Shively's 19.1% poverty rate is a significant driver of its D crime grade. Research consistently shows that cities where more than 15–20% of residents live below the poverty line experience property crime rates roughly 30–50% higher than cities with poverty rates below 10%. With nearly one in five Shively residents facing economic hardship, and an unemployment rate of 7.3% adding to financial pressure, the conditions that correlate with opportunistic property crime — theft, burglary, vehicle break-ins — are present at elevated levels. This does not mean crime is inevitable, but it does underscore why Shively's crime grade lags behind wealthier neighboring communities in the Louisville area.

What can Shively residents do to improve neighborhood safety?

Given the city's D crime grade and the underlying economic factors at play, community-level action is especially impactful in Shively. Residents can: join or form a neighborhood watch group; report suspicious activity promptly to the Shively Police Department; install exterior lighting and door reinforcements (median home values of $109,362 mean most properties are affordable to secure with basic upgrades); and use the crime map regularly to spot emerging hotspots before they escalate. Community investment in youth programs and local employment initiatives also addresses the root causes behind the city's 19.1% poverty rate and 7.3% unemployment rate, which are the structural factors most closely tied to Shively's elevated crime statistics.