Signals
Bardstown
Shelbyville
Opportunity
32 · Bottom 8%
vs39 · Bottom 17%
Climate
75 · Top 29%
vs74 · Top 31%
Physical resilience
74 · Top 32%
vs79 · Top 26%
Housing affordability
78 · Bottom 46%
vs95 · Top 18%
Schools
35 · Bottom 28%
vs24 · Bottom 16%
Access
85 · Bottom 29%
vs83 · Bottom 27%
Economic stability
56 · Bottom 42%
vs57 · Bottom 43%
Measured values
| Metric | Bardstown | Shelbyville | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 13,804 | 17,668 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $51,381 | $75,610 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $31,358 | $33,587 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,140/sq mi | 1,770/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $203,500 | $257,100 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $977 | $1,033 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 61.1% | 56.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 5.5% | 4.8% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -1.8% | -2.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 26.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.7% | 14.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 87°F | 88°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 26°F | 25°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 51.6" | 47.3" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 29 mi | 28 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 22.4 min | 28.1 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 38.1 | 34.8 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 12 | 12 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 17.05 | 16.92 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 23.7% | 24.6% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 45.6% | 37.1% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 51.7% | 45.8% | 2024-25 school year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Bardstown
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Shelbyville
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Your best match
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Bardstown
62
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Area Score
Shelbyville
65
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Bardstown, KY · Shelbyville, KY · How this is calculated: methodology