Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Maine

Maine has a reputation for its quiet town life and landscape. However, as with any state, it has crime-prone areas. While the state is one of the safest in the US, some cities do have more cases of reported theft, assault, and property crimes. Looking at the crime data, in this article we can learn which is the most dangerous city in Maine and which are safer to live and work in for residents and visitors.

Is Maine Dangerous?

No, Maine is not dangerous. It is consistently ranked among the safest states in the entire country. While some cities experience slightly more crime than smaller, quieter towns, the overall crime trend in Maine has remained stable or dwindled over the years, solidifying its reputation as one of the safest places to live.

Based on official data tracked by the United States federal government on FBI.gov, Maine's key metrics heavily outperform the national average:

1. Violent Crime Rate

Maine’s violent crime rate is exceptionally low compared to the rest of the United States.

• Total Violent Crime: The rate of violent crime in Maine is approximately 1.1 per 1,000 inhabitants, a stark contrast to the national rate of 4.0 per 1,000, according to state-by-state tracking data on CrimeRate.org.
• Murder Rate: The murder rate stands at 4.3 per 100,000 people, significantly below the national average of 5.7.
• Assault Rate: The rate of assault in Maine is 56.2 per 100,000 people, compared to a much higher national average of 263.7.

2. Property Crime Rate

Property crime in Maine is also safely below the U.S. average baseline, keeping the state near the very top of the USNews.com Best States Rankings for public safety.

• Total Property Crime: Property crime occurs at approximately 13 per 1,000 people, which is notably less than the national average of 20.7.
• Vehicle Theft Rate: The vehicle theft rate is just 79 per 100,000 people, compared to 317.2 nationally.
• Burglary Rate: The burglary rate sits at 110.2 per 100,000 people, compared to the U.S. national average of 250.7.

Top 5 Most Dangerous Cities in Maine

Here are the top 5 cities that are known for their higher crime rates.

Biddeford

An old mill town that ranks as one of the more crime-prone neighborhoods in Maine. It experiences a higher volume of property crimes, specifically burglary and theft.

• Total Crime Rate: Approximately 17.5 per 1,000 residents, driven heavily by property offenses.
• Property Crime: Larceny-theft and burglary make up over 85% of all reported incidents in the area.
• Violent Crime: While its violent crime rate is low compared to other cities across the United States, it remains higher than the Maine state average.

Lewiston

As one of Maine's larger cities, Lewiston contains several neighborhoods with elevated safety concerns. Driven largely by drug-related issues and theft, its crime rate has seen an increase in recent years.

• Total Crime Rate: Sits at around 21.3 per 1,000 residents.
• Violent Crime Dynamics: The violent crime rate is approximately 2.4 per 1,000, which is double the Maine state average but still below the national baseline.
• Community Safety: Crime is highly localized, and certain community-run neighborhoods remain comparatively safe.

Bangor

Serving as the cultural center of northern Maine, Bangor records crime rates—particularly property crimes—that exceed the state average.

• Total Crime Rate: Reaches nearly 28.4 per 1,000 residents, making it statistically one of the busier law enforcement areas in the state.
• Property Crime Focus: The property crime rate spikes to about 25.1 per 1,000, with shoplifting and opportunistic theft near commercial centers being the primary contributors.
• Violent Crime: Incidents of assault and theft are notably higher here compared to Maine's rural areas.

Augusta

As the capital of Maine, Augusta draws a steady influx of commuters, workers, and tourists. This high daytime population contributes to crime rates that are higher than most of the state's small towns.

• Total Crime Rate: Approximately 26.8 per 1,000 residents (based on nighttime population data).
• Crime Mix: Theft and violent crime are more common in specific neighborhoods, with property crime accounting for roughly 23.5 per 1,000 incidents.

Portland

Portland is the largest city in Maine, highly celebrated for its waterfront and vibrant food scene. Due to its size and urban density, it experiences increased crime rates.

• Total Crime Rate: Averages around 24.1 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Focus: Primarily driven by property crimes such as shoplifting and car break-ins, which hover at 21.2 per 1,000.
• Violent Crime: While violent crime does occur (at a rate of roughly 2.9 per 1,000), the numbers remain remarkably low when compared to major U.S. urban centers.

Crime Trend in Maine

Violent Crime Continues to Drop

Violent crime in the Pine Tree State has experienced a consecutive year-over-year decline.

• Current Rate: The statewide violent crime rate sits at approximately 1.0 to 1.2 incidents per 1,000 residents (or roughly 100 offenses per 100,000 people). To put this in perspective, Maine's violent crime rate is over 72% lower than the national average.
• Driving Factors: The steady dip in violent crime has been driven primarily by noticeable decreases in aggravated assaults, robberies, and homicides.
• The Makeup: Aggravated assaults continue to make up the largest share of violent crimes in the state (about 55%), followed by rape (31.7%) and robbery (11%). Homicides traditionally account for less than 3% of all violent incidents in Maine.

2. Property Crime: Low, but Facing Minor Fluctuations

While property crime in Maine is exceptionally low compared to the U.S. average (roughly 35% below the national baseline), it has seen slight upward shifts in certain subcategories.

• Current Rate: Property crime sits at roughly 11.4 to 16.3 incidents per 1,000 residents, depending on the localized tracking criteria. Maine ranks 5th lowest nationwide for property crime.
• Larceny-Theft Dominated: The overwhelming majority of property crimes in the state are larceny-thefts (84.1%), which includes minor shoplifting, package theft, and thefts from vehicles.
• The Trend Split: While traditional burglaries (breaking into homes/structures) have seen double-digit drops (down over 10%), opportunistic property crimes like larceny-theft and motor vehicle theft have ticked up slightly by 1% to 2.5%.

Top 5 Safest Cities in Maine

Below are the best cities for their safety in Maine.

Kittery

Kittery is a coastal town, and it is the most secure one in the state. The reason why the crime rate is very low here is the high community bonding environment.

Orono

It has very low crime rates as compared to the state average, although it is a busy college town. Community activity and tight security are the reasons why Orono is attractive to young professionals as well as families.

Washburn

Washburn is a small town located in northern Maine, and it is very small. There is a near absence of crime, and people have solid community bonds. It has a farming history and has a quiet environment, making it one of the most secure locations where individuals desire a serene living.

Eastport

Eastport is located on the seashore and is a peaceful environment with very minimal crime. It is one of the safer neighborhoods to reside in Maine.

Yarmouth

Yarmouth has consistently low crime rates compared to the state. This is a neighborhood with good schools and is very family-friendly, as it has small neighborhoods. The Yarmouth Clam Festival is also a popular genre of festivals held in the town to add to its intimate and amiable setting.

How to Stay Safe in Dangerous Cities in Maine?

Knowing about the crime stats is not enough. Even when you are aware of the most dangerous cities in Maine, you can follow the tips below to stay safe:

Always lock your home and your car. Property crimes such as burglary and car break-ins are the most
common in Maine.

Add home security systems to provide additional security. Relink Atlas PT Ultra has PTZ vision with its 4K quality. It can provide smart notifications, as well as night vision, which is applicable in urban outdoor and indoor environments.

Be engaged in your community. Community watch programs have been established in most of the Maine towns, serving as a means of reducing crime and enhancing safety.

It is always a good idea to keep a guard dog at your home and have licensed ammunition for personal safety.

FAQs

What is the Safest City in Maine?

Kittery is ranked among the safest towns in Maine. It has an approximate crime rate of 7 crimes per 1000 people, which is considerably lower than the state average.

What Is The #1 Most Violent City in the US?

Livermore Falls is the most violent city in the U.S., and violent crime rates are higher than 300 per 100000 residents.

What City in Maine has the Highest Crime Rate?

Biddeford reports some of the highest crime rates in Maine, with around 30 crimes per 1,000 residents. Most of these are property crimes, including burglary and theft.

Why is Crime so Low in Maine?

The violent crime rate in Maine is 1.1 per 1000 people, which is much lower compared to the U.S. average of 4.0. The small population and strong communities keep crime rates low here.

Conclusion

Is Maine dangerous? No, it is one of the safest states in America. However, cities including Biddeford and Lewiston have a high crime rate. On the other hand, the safety in towns such as Kittery and Yarmouth is very high. It is considered one of the safest states in the US., but knowing about the most dangerous cities in Maine is a must. It helps you stay safe by choosing the right destinations.