United States · Safety report last updated
As of July 2026, Louisville scores 70/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Louisville is moderately safe for travelers, requiring awareness of crime and adherence to general safety precautions. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
United States · Assessed 29 July 2026
70
/ 100
Safer than ~72% of countries
What drives this score
01 · Official Guidance
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-07-29T14:31:46.2003107-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Mugging & robbery risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Pickpocketing & theft risk
City SignalCity Web Research
Visitor safety sentiment
City SignalCity Web Research
Urban scale factor
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
Robbery / mugging
ModerateWorry about mugging or robbery is at 50%, with violent crime seen as a significant local problem (60%). Recent reports mention a shooting in the Portland neighborhood.
Pickpocketing
ModerateProperty crime is perceived as a significant local problem (64%), suggesting a moderate risk of pickpocketing and bag-snatching, particularly in crowded areas.
03 · Environment
04 · Institutions
05 · Field Research
Traveller sentiment score
Cautious
59/100
Crowdsourced data indicates a low feeling of safety when walking alone at night (34/100) and moderate worry about mugging or robbery (50/100).
Louisville is moderately safe for travelers, requiring awareness of crime and adherence to general safety precautions.
While official advisories are low-risk, local crime perception and specific incidents suggest a need for vigilance. Travelers should be mindful of their surroundings, particularly regarding property crime and violent crime in certain areas, and take standard precautions.
Recent developments
Common scams
Full briefing
Louisville, United States, presents a mixed safety profile for travelers. While official government advisories from Canada and the UK indicate a low level of risk, suggesting normal security precautions are sufficient, local perceptions and recent incidents warrant a more cautious approach. The composite safety index is relatively high, but this is tempered by lower scores in areas like crime perception and feeling safe at night.
On the ground, travelers should be aware that crime, particularly violent and property crime, is perceived as a significant local issue. Crowdsourced data indicates that worry about mugging or robbery is at 50%, and the feeling of safety when walking alone at night is low at 34 out of 100. Recent news reports highlight ongoing efforts to combat violent crime, with mentions of ATF investigations and arrests following shootings, such as one in the Portland neighborhood in May 2026. Property crime is also seen as a considerable problem, suggesting a moderate risk of pickpocketing and bag-snatching.
Despite these concerns, Louisville is not considered a high-risk destination for typical tourist activities. The overall homicide rate is in line with the US average, and there are no active disaster alerts or significant natural hazard warnings. Travelers are advised to maintain situational awareness, especially after dark, and to secure their belongings. It is also prudent to stay informed about local events, as protests have occurred in the city, and to follow general CDC health recommendations for global travel.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Our field research rated 6 Louisville districts for visitors: 3 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Louisville safety map.
PortlandavoidRecent reports of shootings; avoid unless necessary and exercise extreme caution.
DowntowncautionHigher risk of petty crime and protests; exercise vigilance, especially at night.
Old LouisvillecautionHistoric area, but can have higher crime rates; be aware of surroundings, particularly after dark.
NuLu (East Market District)saferGenerally safe with vibrant nightlife and dining; standard precautions apply.
HighlandssaferPopular and generally safe area with many shops and restaurants; exercise normal precautions.
St. MatthewssaferSuburban area, generally safe; standard precautions recommended.
07 · After Dark
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Worry about mugging or robbery is at 50%, with violent crime seen as a significant local problem (60%). Recent reports mention a shooting in the Portland neighborhood.
After dark, be most careful around Portland, Downtown, Old Louisville. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Trip Profiles
Who's travelling changes which risks matter. These re-weight Louisville's category data for common trip types — same data, different emphasis. Run your own profile from the interactive checker.
09 · Questions
Louisville is moderately safe for travelers, requiring awareness of crime and adherence to general safety precautions. While official advisories are low-risk, local crime perception and specific incidents suggest a need for vigilance. Travelers should be mindful of their surroundings, particularly regarding property crime and violent crime in certain areas, and take standard precautions. (Assessed 29 July 2026.)
Field research flags Portland as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
Louisville ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 70/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
The score blends 11+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry 82% of the weight; the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries 18%. Full methodology.
Browse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: louisville.json (CC BY 4.0).
