I've taken bikes inside a grocery store when I forgot a lock. Nobody said boo.

I live in a similar town, I just use cable locks with combos so I don't have to take (and lose) a key. If I were leaving a bike for a significant amount of time in a less safe place, I would take a heavier lock, or an "undesirable" bike. My favorite around town bike is an old Ross Europa. With a front basket, it is very unattractive to a thief. $25 delivered to my door, so i just use a "don't walk off with my bike" lock ($8 at the hardware store).

My wife leaves her CX *** commuter at our hospital all day locked with a thick cable/combo. Even overnight sometimes.

In the end, if a thief really wants your bike, they are going to get it. Watch bike theft videos on YouTube sometime.