Caroline County Crime & Safety

Caroline County, Maryland

Safety Score

41/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

1347.6

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

183.1

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1164.5

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

41/100

Higher = safer

State avg 38/100

State Safety Rank

#11

of 24 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Caroline County, Maryland

Caroline County Enjoys High Safety Ratings

Caroline County features a strong safety score of 97.9, outperforming national safety benchmarks. The total crime rate of 1,347.6 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This rural county offers a secure environment that is notably safer than many other regions in the U.S.

Surpassing Maryland’s Average Safety Score

Caroline County's safety score of 97.9 sits comfortably above the Maryland state average of 97.4. Its total crime rate of 1,347.6 is also lower than the state average of 1,638.3 per 100,000 residents. Five reporting agencies contribute to this data, reflecting a transparent and well-monitored local environment.

A Secure Choice on the Eastern Shore

Compared to more industrial neighbors like Cecil County, Caroline maintains a much lower total crime rate. At 1,347.6 crimes per 100,000, it provides a quieter alternative to Maryland’s western and northern counties. The county’s violent crime rate of 183.1 is also significantly lower than the state average of 311.8.

Property Offenses Comprise Most Local Crime

Violent crime is quite low in Caroline County at 183.1 per 100,000 residents, while property crime is 1,164.5. This indicates that while crime is infrequent, theft and burglary are the most likely issues residents might face. Practical safety efforts should focus on securing assets and outbuildings.

Rural Security for Caroline Residents

In a rural setting, perimeter lighting and secure gate locks are excellent ways to protect your property. Since property crime is the most common offense, tracking deliveries and securing tools can prevent opportunistic theft. Keeping your community connected through neighborhood apps further enhances local safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Caroline County, MD?

Caroline County has a total crime rate of 1347.6 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (183.1 per 100K) and property crimes (1164.5 per 100K).

Is Caroline County, MD safe?

Caroline County has a safety score of 41/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #11 out of 24 counties in Maryland for safety (1 = safest).

How does Caroline County crime compare to the Maryland average?

What types of crime are most common in Caroline County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Caroline County?

Crime data for Caroline 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.

Why is Caroline County safer than the Maryland average?

Caroline County has a safety score of 41/100, which is above the Maryland average of 38/100. Factors such as local law enforcement effectiveness, community programs, socioeconomic conditions, and population density all contribute to lower crime rates in certain counties.