Penobscot County Crime & Safety

Penobscot County, Maine

Safety Score

28/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1756.5

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

57.7

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1698.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

28/100

Higher = safer

State avg 53/100

State Safety Rank

#15

of 16 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Penobscot County, Maine

Penobscot maintains strong safety score

With a safety score of 97.2, Penobscot County offers a secure environment for its residents. The total crime rate of 1,756.5 per 100,000 remains well below the national benchmark of 2,385.5.

Higher crime compared to Maine average

Penobscot's total crime rate of 1,756.5 per 100,000 is significantly higher than the Maine average of 1,084.3. This puts the county's safety score of 97.2 slightly behind the state average of 98.3.

Penobscot versus its regional neighbors

Penobscot County reports more crime than neighboring Somerset County, which has a rate of 1,531.9 per 100,000. It also sees nearly double the crime rate of Piscataquis County at 956.5 per 100,000.

Violent crime remains exceptionally low

Despite higher property crime rates of 1,698.8 per 100,000, Penobscot maintains a low violent crime rate of 57.7. This violent crime rate is significantly lower than the Maine state average of 82.4.

Stay vigilant against property crime

With property crimes representing the bulk of local reports, investing in a home security system is a wise step. Visible cameras and smart locks serve as effective deterrents against opportunistic theft.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Penobscot County, ME?

Penobscot County has a total crime rate of 1756.5 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (57.7 per 100K) and property crimes (1698.8 per 100K).

Is Penobscot County, ME safe?

Penobscot County has a safety score of 28/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #15 out of 16 counties in Maine for safety (1 = safest).

How does Penobscot County crime compare to the Maine average?

Penobscot's total crime rate of 1,756.5 per 100,000 is significantly higher than the Maine average of 1,084.3. This puts the county's safety score of 97.2 slightly behind the state average of 98.3.

What types of crime are most common in Penobscot County?

Despite higher property crime rates of 1,698.8 per 100,000, Penobscot maintains a low violent crime rate of 57.7. This violent crime rate is significantly lower than the Maine state average of 82.4.

How is crime data measured and reported for Penobscot County?

Crime data for Penobscot County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Penobscot County?

Penobscot County has a safety score of 28/100, which is below the Maine average of 53/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.