F
48%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
145%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
30%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleShelby/100k peopleNorth Carolina/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime757n/a (estimate)3,4432,4692,324
Murder2n/a9.18.16.3
Rape13n/a59.130.540.0
Robbery24n/a109.154.966.1
Assault160n/a727.6311.6268.2
Violent crime199n/a (estimate)905405370
Burglary113n/a513.9370.8269.8
Theft395n/a1,796.31,494.01,401.9
Vehicle theft50n/a227.4199.3282.7
Property crime558n/a (estimate)2,5382,0641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Shelby, NC

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Shelby crime rate is higher than the national average by 48.1%. Specifically, there were 199 violent crimes in Shelby, equivalent to 905 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 144.7%. Furthermore, Shelby recorded 558 property crimes, amounting to 2538 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 29.8%.

Shelby ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 905 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Shelby stand at 1 in every 111 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Shelby?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Shelby residents. Out of the respondents (38 in total), 24% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Shelby were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 76% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Shelby a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Shelby a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Shelby crime rate is 48% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 2.07 crimes per day - 0.55 violent crimes and 1.53 property crimes.

Potential Causes for Crime in Shelby

In Shelby, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 4.17 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Shelby is $132,900, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Shelby, the average monthly rent stands at $684, while the national average is $949 per month.

Shelby crime map



The Shelby crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Shelby as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Shelby crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Shelby crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Shelby, NC Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Shelby crime rates are 48% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Shelby are 145% higher than the national average
      • In Shelby you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Shelby is safer than 6% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Shelby has not changed

      Shelby, NC Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Shelby

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        Daily Crime In Shelby (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Shelby for every 100,000 residents. The Shelby total amount of daily crime is 1.39 times more than the North Carolina average and 1.48 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Shelby, is 2.23 times more than the North Carolina average, and it is 2.45 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Shelby has a daily crime average that is 1.23 times more than the North Carolina average and 1.30 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Shelby (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in North Carolina and all other cities across the US, is Shelby safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Shelby is safer than 15% of other cities in the state of North Carolina. In addition, Shelby is safer than 6% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all North Carolina and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Shelby. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Shelby is above average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Shelby

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Shelby is 1 in 111
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Shelby is 1 in 40
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Shelby is 1 in 30
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Shelby? In Shelby, NC you have a 1 in 111 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 40 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 30 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Shelby.

        Year Over Year Crime In Shelby (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Shelby is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Shelby has increased by 65%, while the property crime rate in Shelby has decreased by 13% year over year. The number of total crimes in Shelby has not changed year over year.

        Shelby police department

        Item Shelby North Carolina National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)8514,511558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents4.24.83.3
        There are a total of 85 Shelby police officers. This results in 4.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 12.8% less than the North Carolina average and 28.1% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in North Carolina

        State Total offenders North Carolina /100K National /100K
        North Carolina26,293320266
        There are a total of 26,293 sex offenders in North Carolina. This yields a total of 320 sex offenders in North Carolina per 100,000 residents which is 20% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Ellenboro, NC7942161,1011,317
        Bessemer City, NC5,5363051,3651,670
        Boiling Springs, NC4,5803031,5451,849
        Cherryville, NC6,0181941,8242,018
        East Gaffney, SC3,0433551,6702,025
        Kings Mountain, NC10,8854822,2542,736
        Blacksburg, SC2,1013712,4392,810
        Shelby, NC20,0469052,5383,443

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Punta Gorda, FL20,044106639745
        Amherst Center, MA20,037194331525
        West Chester, PA20,0331678831,050
        Glassboro, NJ20,0692321,5061,738
        Port Angeles, WA20,0716703,7854,455
        Shelby, NC20,0469052,5383,443
        Source: The Shelby, NC crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.