Is St. Matthews safe?
Louisville, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates St. Matthews as “Go”.
Gogo's take on St. Matthews
“Go. St. Matthews is one of the safest and most established suburban commercial and residential hubs in the Louisville metro. Visitors can comfortably dine, shop, and stroll residential streets day or night with minimal safety concerns beyond basic awareness of busy road traffic.”
Local police regularly conduct retail theft prevention initiatives across the Shelbyville Road commercial corridor, where property crime remains the primary concern.
About the area
Located just east of central Louisville, St. Matthews is a bustling municipality known for major shopping centers, independent eateries, and tranquil post-war residential streets. It maintains a distinct identity with its own dedicated city services and municipal police force.
- Family-Friendly
- Suburban Retail Hub
- Tree-Lined Residential
- Safe & Active
Walking and biking in St. Matthews
Walk score: 58/100 · Bike score: 52/100
The area lacks protected bike lanes on major thoroughfares and has no direct LouVelo bike-share stations, though residential side streets connect comfortably to local parks.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are significantly lower than the broader Louisville metro average
- High median household incomes, low vacancy, and high rates of homeownership maintain neighborhood stability
- Dedicated 24/7 St. Matthews Police Department provides swift emergency response times
- Abundant commercial infrastructure, grocery stores, and medical facilities within close proximity
Cons
- Frequent vehicle break-ins and petty retail theft in large commercial parking lots
- Heavy vehicular congestion along Shelbyville Road poses safety challenges for pedestrians
- Late-night bar clusters along Frankfort Avenue can occasionally bring alcohol-fueled disturbances
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is low across St. Matthews; panhandling occasionally occurs at major highway off-ramps near the I-264 and Shelbyville Road junction, but encampments are not prevalent.
What St. Matthews is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Peaceful and safe, with locals jogging through residential subdivisions and early commuters heading along Shelbyville Road.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very active and secure with heavy retail and dining traffic; pedestrian safety requires alertness when crossing wide commercial thoroughfares.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Family-oriented and bustling around restaurants and shopping plazas with virtually no safety issues.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Generally very safe and quiet in residential areas, though modest caution is sensible around late-night bars along the commercial strip.
Transit, parking and getting around
Public transit is provided by the Transit Authority of River City (TARC), primarily via Route 19 and Route 31 along Shelbyville Road; Louisville does not operate a passenger rail or BRT system.
Parking is exceptionally easy and free across vast shopping center surface lots, with hassle-free and unrestricted street parking throughout residential areas.
Things to do in St. Matthews
- Walk the wooded trails and spot wildlife along the creek at Brown Park
- Sample famous German pastries, cakes, and sandwiches at the historic Plehn's Bakery
- Shop national retailers and local boutiques throughout Mall St. Matthews and surrounding plazas
Local favorites
- Havana Rumba · Cuban Restaurant · 4.7★ (2650)Vibrant, highly popular spot serving authentic Cuban cuisine, tapas, and tropical cocktails.
- Plehn's Bakery · Bakery · 4.7★ (1420)Beloved century-old bakery famous for custom cakes, streusel, donuts, and deli sandwiches.
- Drake's St. Matthews · American Restaurant & Pub · 4.4★ (2180)Lively neighborhood eatery offering burgers, craft beers, sushi, and extensive patio seating.
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.