Signals
Shelbyville
Bardstown
Opportunity
39 · Bottom 17%
vs32 · Bottom 8%
Climate
74 · Top 31%
vs75 · Top 29%
Physical resilience
79 · Top 26%
vs74 · Top 32%
Housing affordability
95 · Top 18%
vs78 · Bottom 46%
Schools
24 · Bottom 16%
vs35 · Bottom 28%
Access
83 · Bottom 27%
vs85 · Bottom 29%
Economic stability
57 · Bottom 43%
vs56 · Bottom 42%
Measured values
| Metric | Shelbyville | Bardstown | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,668 | 13,804 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $75,610 | $51,381 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $33,587 | $31,358 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 1,770/sq mi | 1,140/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $257,100 | $203,500 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,033 | $977 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 56.1% | 61.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Unemployment rate | 4.8% | 5.5% | June 2026 |
| Employment change (year over year) | -2.8% | -1.8% | June 2026 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26.7% | 26.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 14.5% | 14.7% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Average July high | 88°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 25°F | 26°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 47.3" | 51.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 28 mi | 29 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 28.1 min | 22.4 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 34.8 | 38.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Public schools | 12 | 12 | 2024-25 school year |
| Students per teacher | 16.92 | 17.05 | 2024-25 school year |
| Math proficiency | 24.6% | 23.7% | 2019-20 school year |
| Reading proficiency | 37.1% | 45.6% | 2019-20 school year |
| Free or reduced-price lunch eligibility | 45.8% | 51.7% | 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
Shelbyville
No hazard reaches elevated exposure.
Bardstown
Elevated or high exposure: earthquake.
Your best match
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Shelbyville
65
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Area Score
Bardstown
62
Your Score
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Shelbyville, KY · Bardstown, KY · How this is calculated: methodology