Is Bellewood safe?
St. Matthews, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Bellewood as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Bellewood
“Go. Bellewood is an exceptionally safe, affluent, and tranquil residential city within the St. Matthews area of Louisville. Visitors face virtually no violent crime risks and can comfortably explore the peaceful, tree-lined residential streets or nearby dining corridors day and night.”
About the area
Bellewood is a small, quiet, and well-manicured independent municipality tucked into the vibrant St. Matthews district of eastern Louisville. It features classic mid-20th-century single-family homes surrounded by mature shade trees, offering suburban tranquility just steps away from lively shopping and dining corridors.
- Family-Friendly
- Historic / Tree-Lined
- Affluent Enclave
- Suburban / Peaceful
Walking and biking in Bellewood
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 52/100
There is no municipal bike-share station in Bellewood, but the neighborhood streets are low-speed and bike-friendly, connecting easily to Seneca Park and Beargrass Creek trails.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero with extremely low overall property crime
- High household incomes and homeownership rates above 90% reflect deep community investment
- Well-maintained streets and public infrastructure managed by dedicated local city administration
- Immediate access to prominent eastern Louisville shopping and dining options along Frankfort Avenue
Cons
- Occasional opportunistic theft from unlocked vehicles along neighborhood borders
- Heavier traffic congestion along bordering Shelbyville Road and Frankfort Avenue
- Minimal commercial activity within Bellewood proper, requiring a short walk or drive for amenities
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence within Bellewood's residential enclave, with only occasional individuals passing along the main commercial thoroughfare of Shelbyville Road.
What Bellewood is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and quiet as residents jog, walk dogs, and commute, feeling entirely secure.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and relaxed with occasional delivery vans and local pedestrian foot traffic.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential ambiance settles in, remaining very safe for an evening stroll.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely peaceful and dark with minimal vehicular traffic; walking remains safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), with Route 19 and Route 31 running along Shelbyville Road and Frankfort Avenue just outside Bellewood's borders; there is no passenger rail system in Louisville.
Parking is straightforward, with abundant private driveways and free, unrestricted street parking available on most residential roads.
Things to do in Bellewood
- Stroll or jog through the peaceful, canopy-covered residential streets of Bellewood
- Explore the boutique shops, bakeries, and eateries along nearby Frankfort Avenue and Shelbyville Road
- Visit neighboring Seneca Park for expansive green spaces, tennis courts, and walking loops
Local favorites
- Plehn's Bakery · Bakery · 4.7★ (1250)Historic, century-old local staple known for classic donuts, custom cakes, butter cookies, and deli sandwiches.
- Simply Thai · Thai Restaurant · 4.5★ (1100)Popular St. Matthews eatery offering authentic curries, noodle dishes, and traditional sushi rolls.
- Havana Rumba · Cuban Restaurant · 4.7★ (2900)Vibrant nearby dining spot serving authentic Cuban cuisine, mojitos, and tapas in a lively atmosphere.
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.