Is Windy Hills safe?
St. Matthews, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Windy Hills as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Windy Hills
“Go. Windy Hills is one of the safest and most tranquil residential enclaves in the Louisville metropolitan area. Visitors and residents face minimal violent crime risk, making it an exceptionally secure suburban setting.”
About the area
Windy Hills is an affluent, heavily wooded home-rule city situated adjacent to St. Matthews in eastern Jefferson County. Known for its well-kept mid-century ranches, serene cul-de-sacs, and mature tree canopy, it provides a quiet suburban retreat within minutes of major East End shopping and dining corridors.
- Affluent Suburban
- Quiet Residential
- Tree-Lined / Leafy
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Windy Hills
Walk score: 32/100 · Bike score: 38/100
There are no public bike-share stations in Windy Hills; internal streets are pleasant for casual neighborhood cycling, but nearby main roads lack dedicated bike lanes.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Violent crime rates are near zero and significantly lower than state and national medians.
- Strong economic foundation with median household incomes well exceeding $100,000 and poverty rates below 3%.
- High rate of homeownership and well-maintained properties create a clean, watchful neighborhood atmosphere.
Cons
- Car-dependent infrastructure with few dedicated sidewalks along secondary residential streets.
- Occasional opportunistic theft from unlocked parked cars parked in driveways overnight.
- Limited commercial or entertainment amenities within the municipal boundaries proper.
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Windy Hills, with no encampments or panhandling observed in the neighborhood.
What Windy Hills is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Crisp and serene, with neighborhood residents frequently walking dogs and jogging down low-traffic streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Very peaceful with light local traffic and optimal safety conditions throughout all residential streets.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Calm and quiet as commuters return home, though pedestrians should watch for low ambient lighting on streets without sidewalks.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Exceptionally quiet with near-zero pedestrian activity, though drivers should remain alert for deer crossing from wooded groves.
Transit, parking and getting around
Transit Authority of River City (TARC) serves surrounding arterials such as Westport Road via Route 25, but service is infrequent and the interior of the neighborhood has no direct public transit stops.
Parking is completely free and unmetered, with ample driveway space and effortless curbside parking along neighborhood residential streets.
Things to do in Windy Hills
- Explore the shaded residential lanes and historic estate trees along Rudy Lane.
- Walk or picnic around the Windy Hills Green nature preserve area.
- Visit adjacent Westport Village for upscale boutique shopping and dining.
Local favorites
- Napa River Grill · New American Restaurant · 4.4★ (1150)Upscale California-inspired eatery featuring seasonal fare, steaks, and an extensive wine list just outside the neighborhood perimeter.
- Osteria Italian Seafood · Italian Restaurant · 4.5★ (520)Refined rustic Italian dining focused on fresh seafood, house-made pastas, and patio seating in Westport Village.
- The Comfy Cow · Ice Cream Shop · 4.6★ (1280)Beloved local scoop shop serving handcrafted, inventive ice cream flavors made with local ingredients.
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.