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D+

Is Matthews, North Carolina Safe?

Population 32,769 · Safer than 22% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Matthews is a smaller community of 32,769 people with a D+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 248.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,504 per 100K.

Matthews Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricMatthewsNorth Carolina AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate264.7317.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2215.92053.51,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate205.0--268.2
Theft Rate1504.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate554.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD+

248.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

265/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2216/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Matthews

Violent crime in Matthews is below the national average. The rate of 264.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2215.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,504 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Matthews Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault205
076% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery43
068% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary249
092% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,504
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft554
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Matthews Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Matthews
264.7
State
317.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Matthews
2215.9
State
2053.5
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Matthews Safety

Is Matthews safe?
Not especially. Matthews earns a D+ with a crime rate of 248.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Matthews?
248.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 264.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2215.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Matthews safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Matthews's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,504 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Matthews?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Matthews generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Matthews police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Matthews?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Matthews's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Matthews compare to other cities in North Carolina?
Below average for the state. Matthews ranks behind about 77% of North Carolina cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Matthews to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Matthews?
Bad. A D+ grade and 248.1 per-thousand rate put Matthews below 78% of US cities. Violent crime at 265 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Matthews?
264.7 per 100,000, which is 27% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (205), robbery (43), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

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View all North Carolina city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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