Violent
Property
Total
Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Matthews, NC has a Safety Score of 22/100 — higher crime than 78% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,838.8 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,311 of 2,971 US cities and #36 of 76 in North Carolina.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Matthews, North Carolina Safe?
Matthews, a Charlotte suburb, was once a thriving cotton community. Located in southeastern Mecklenburg County, it's home to a diverse population of over 30,000 residents.
Matthews has a safety score of 22/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,838.8 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Matthews ranks #36 out of 76 cities in North Carolina and #2311 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 22nd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 78% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Matthews is larceny-theft, at 2,119.5 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Matthews's total crime rate decreased by 12%, with violent crime declining 23%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Matthews Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 58 | 184.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 6 | 19.1 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 20 | 63.7 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 32 | 101.8 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 834 | 2,654.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 110 | 350.1 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 666 | 2,119.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 58 | 184.6 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Matthews vs North Carolina Average
How does Matthews's crime rate compare to the North Carolina state average?
| Metric | Matthews | North Carolina Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 184.6 | 556.7 | -66.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,654.2 | 2,951.3 | -10.1% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 9.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,838.8 | 3,508.0 | -19.1% |
Matthews Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Matthews, North Carolina.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31,422 | 2,838.8 | 184.6 | 2,654.2 |
| 2023 | 30,433 | 3,226.8 | 239.9 | 2,986.9 |
| 2022 | 29,739 | 3,147.4 | 164.8 | 2,982.6 |
| 2021 | 34,438 | 3,223.2 | 223.6 | 2,999.6 |
| 2020 | 33,860 | 3,366.8 | 174.3 | 3,192.6 |
| 2019 | 33,372 | 3,508.9 | 176.8 | 3,332.1 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Matthews, North Carolina safe?
Matthews has a safety score of 22/100, meaning it has less crime than about 22% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,838.8 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Matthews is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Matthews, North Carolina?
According to FBI data for 2024, Matthews has a violent crime rate of 184.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,654.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does Matthews compare to the national average?
Matthews's total crime rate of 2,838.8 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 31,422 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Matthews?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Matthews include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Matthews safe to visit?
Like any city, Matthews has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 22/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.