Maine Crime & Safety
Crime rates and safety scores for all 16 counties.
Avg Violent Crime Rate
82.0
per 100K
Avg Property Crime Rate
1002.0
per 100K
Avg Safety Score
53/100
State Overview
Crime & Safety in Maine
National Context
Maine Ranks Among the Nation's Safest States
Maine maintains a total crime rate of 1,084.3 per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the national average of 2,385.5. This significant gap places the Pine Tree State at the top of the safety spectrum compared to its peers across the country.
Violent vs. Property Crime
Property Incidents Outpace Minimal Violent Crime
Property crime accounts for nearly all local incidents, recording a rate of 1,001.8 per 100,000 people. Meanwhile, the violent crime rate sits at a remarkably low 82.4, which is roughly one-fourth of the 369.8 national benchmark.
Safest Counties
Waldo County Leads Maine's Quietest Regions
Waldo County is the state's safest area, reporting a total crime rate of only 301.7 per 100,000. Washington and Lincoln counties also stand out for their high safety levels, with both reporting rates well below 612 per 100,000 residents.
Crime Hotspots
Understanding Crime Patterns in Central Maine
Kennebec and Penobscot counties report the state's highest activity with rates near 1,760 per 100,000 residents. Even in these busier hubs, total crime remains approximately 26% lower than the national average, maintaining a relatively secure environment.
The Takeaway
A Consistently Secure Choice for Residents
Maine offers an exceptionally high standard of public safety where even the highest-crime areas outperform the national median. Prospective movers and residents find a state where crime rates are consistently among the lowest in the United States.
Safest Counties
All Maine Counties
| County | Safety Score |
|---|---|
| Waldo County | 87/100 |
| Washington County | 78/100 |
| Lincoln County | 74/100 |
| Sagadahoc County | 71/100 |
| Aroostook County | 60/100 |
| Franklin County | 59/100 |
| Piscataquis County | 59/100 |
| Hancock County | 58/100 |
| Knox County | 57/100 |
| Oxford County | 46/100 |
| Cumberland County | 44/100 |
| York County | 43/100 |
| Somerset County | 34/100 |
| Androscoggin County | 30/100 |
| Penobscot County | 28/100 |
| Kennebec County | 27/100 |
Crime rates per 100K population. — = data pending.
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Data Sources
Crime data sourced from the FBI Crime Data Explorer (UCR) and County Health Rankings. Safety scores are derived composite metrics.
Data is informational only. Not legal or security advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.