Is Ballardsville safe?
Louisville, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ballardsville as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ballardsville
“Go. Ballardsville is an exceptionally safe, affluent exurban community in Oldham County within the greater Louisville metro. While it offers limited walkable attractions and requires a vehicle for everything, personal safety concerns are practically nonexistent.”
About the area
Located northeast of Louisville along KY-22, Ballardsville is characterized by rolling hills, horse farms, spacious single-family subdivisions, and quiet country lanes. It serves primarily as a peaceful residential haven for commuters and families seeking top-rated schools and low crime rates.
- Rural / Exurban
- Family-Friendly
- Peaceful
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ballardsville
Walk score: 8/100 · Bike score: 18/100
No dedicated bike lanes or multi-use greenways exist within Ballardsville; road cycling along KY-22 occurs but requires extreme caution due to narrow shoulders and fast vehicles.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime and property crime rates are among the lowest in the Louisville metropolitan area.
- High median household incomes and robust homeownership rates exceeding 85% foster stable, well-maintained properties.
- Very low traffic congestion off the main state routes with peaceful rural scenery.
Cons
- Exclusively car-dependent with almost no pedestrian infrastructure or sidewalks.
- Limited retail, dining, and nightlife within the immediate neighborhood borders.
- Narrow, winding rural roads can pose driving hazards at night or in bad weather.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is virtually non-existent in this part of Oldham County, with no encampments or panhandling present.
What Ballardsville is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and quiet, with light commuter traffic moving toward I-71 and Louisville along KY-22.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very calm with residents returning from work and school; safe and uneventful.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential setting with minimal commercial noise and virtually no street hazards.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Pitch-black on rural stretches with zero foot traffic, though completely safe from street crime.
Transit, parking and getting around
There is no direct public transit service in Ballardsville; the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) does not operate regular routes here, making personal vehicles essential.
Parking is completely hassle-free, with free private lots at all local businesses and extensive private driveways in residential areas.
Things to do in Ballardsville
- Take a scenic drive through the historic horse farms and rolling pastures along KY-22.
- Explore the nearby nature trails and athletic fields at Wendell Moore Park in neighboring Buckner.
- Visit local equestrian boarding facilities and seasonal farm stands scattered along Ballardsville Road.
Local favorites
- Gustavo's Mexican Grill (Crestwood) · Mexican Restaurant · 4.6★ (1250)Popular nearby spot known for generous portions, classic Mexican entrees, and family-friendly atmosphere.
- Third Turn Brewing Kentucky Keg Room · Brewery · 4.8★ (420)A restored historic bank turned craft brewery greenhouse located just minutes away in Crestwood.
- Openrange Gun Range & Paintball · Recreation Center · 4.7★ (680)Modern indoor shooting range and tactical paintball arena situated along the Oldham County corridor.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.