| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | St. Matthews/100k people | Kentucky/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 903 | n/a (estimate) | 5,223 | 1,563 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 6.1 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 32.4 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 14 | n/a | 81.0 | 35.1 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 8 | n/a | 46.3 | 139.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 22 | n/a (estimate) | 127 | 213 | 359 |
| Burglary | 36 | n/a | 208.2 | 193.6 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 765 | n/a | 4,424.8 | 930.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 80 | n/a | 462.7 | 226.2 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 881 | n/a (estimate) | 5,096 | 1,350 | 1,760 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in St. Matthews is 146.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 22 violent crimes reported in St. Matthews, equivalent to 127 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 64.6%. Additionally, St. Matthews recorded 881 property crimes, amounting to 5096 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 189.5%.
In St. Matthews, the crime rate stands at 5223 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 146.46%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in St. Matthews that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
In the latest reported crime year, St. Matthews recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.
Every year, one in 20 people fall victim to a property crime in St. Matthews - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 5096 per 100,000 people, St. Matthews has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
Recently, vehicle thefts have seen an upward trend across the United States, and St. Matthews ranks among the cities with the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. Last year, there were 80 vehicle thefts, amounting to 463 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places St. Matthews within the worst 10% of all cities, indicating that 90% of cities fare better in terms of vehicle theft rates. The likelihood of your vehicle being stolen stands at 1 in 217.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in St. Matthews. Based on the results of the surveys (11 responses), 45% of people felt that there was very little crime in St. Matthews and felt safe walking alone at night. While 55% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is St. Matthews a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, St. Matthews has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 146%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 2.47 daily incidents, encompassing 0.06 violent crimes and 2.41 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of St. Matthews as a potential place to call home.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in St. Matthews. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in St. Matthews has increased by 6.6%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 35.3%, while property crime has increased by 8.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in St. Matthews.
St. Matthews has a poverty rate that stands at 8, in contrast to the national average of 15.1. Historically, a direct correlation has been observed between poverty rates and crime stats. Higher poverty rates have led to higher crime rates, while lower poverty rates have led to a reduction in St. Matthews crime rates. Income disparities and heightened poverty levels can serve as catalysts for elevated or reduced criminal activity, as individuals may or may not turn to illicit means to fulfill their basic needs. This could be one of many factors that may influence crime.
St. Matthews has a population density of 4280 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower St. Matthews crime rates.
Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In St. Matthews, the cost of living is 7.63% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | St. Matthews | Kentucky | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 39 | 5,359 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.2 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Kentucky /100K | National /100K |
| Kentucky | 9,099 | 222 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Meadow Vale, KY | 813 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Pewee Valley, KY | 1,598 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Strathmoor Village, KY | 583 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Woodlawn Park, KY | 788 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Northfield, KY | 1,296 | 0 | 203 | 203 |
| Langdon Place, KY | 1,053 | 30 | 189 | 219 |
| Barbourmeade, KY | 1,298 | 30 | 189 | 219 |
| St. Matthews, KY | 18,592 | 127 | 5,096 | 5,223 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| McAlester, OK | 18,601 | 369 | 2,371 | 2,741 |
| Nipomo, CA | 18,602 | 371 | 1,587 | 1,958 |
| Hurricane, UT | 18,604 | 205 | 1,045 | 1,250 |
| Burke Centre, VA | 18,576 | 89 | 641 | 730 |
| Safety Harbor, FL | 18,573 | 130 | 691 | 821 |
| St. Matthews, KY | 18,592 | 127 | 5,096 | 5,223 |
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