Cecil County Crime & Safety

Cecil County, Maryland

Safety Score

18/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

2168.0

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

326.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1841.6

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

18/100

Higher = safer

State avg 38/100

State Safety Rank

#20

of 24 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Cecil County, Maryland

Cecil County Remains Safer Than National Average

Cecil County holds a safety score of 96.6, which reflects a secure environment overall. Its total crime rate of 2,168.0 per 100,000 residents stays below the national average of 2,385.5. Violent crime is also lower than the national benchmark, recorded at 326.4 versus 369.8.

Navigating Safety in Northeastern Maryland

Cecil County's safety score of 96.6 is slightly below the Maryland state average of 97.4. The county's total crime rate of 2,168.0 is higher than the state average of 1,638.3. Six agencies contribute to these numbers, providing a clear picture of the safety trends in the state's northeastern corner.

Comparing Cecil to Regional Neighbors

Cecil County experiences more crime than its Eastern Shore neighbor Caroline County, but stays safer than the national average. Its total crime rate is roughly 60% higher than Caroline's, reflecting its position as a transit corridor between major cities. Despite this, it remains a relatively safe region compared to urban centers.

Property Crime as the Primary Local Concern

Property crime in Cecil County is reported at 1,841.6 per 100,000, significantly outpacing the violent crime rate of 326.4. Residents are much more likely to deal with theft or property damage than violent encounters. This distribution is typical for counties with major highway access and regional commerce.

Smart Security for Cecil County Homes

Given that property crime is the most frequent issue, installing security cameras at entry points is a wise investment. Keep valuables out of sight in vehicles to discourage opportunistic theft in residential areas. A well-maintained security system provides an important extra layer of protection for your household.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Cecil County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Cecil County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Cecil County, MD?

Cecil County has a total crime rate of 2168.0 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (326.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1841.6 per 100K).

Is Cecil County, MD safe?

Cecil County has a safety score of 18/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #20 out of 24 counties in Maryland for safety (1 = safest).

How does Cecil County crime compare to the Maryland average?

What types of crime are most common in Cecil County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Cecil County?

Crime data for Cecil 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 Cecil County?

Cecil County has a safety score of 18/100, which is below the Maryland average of 38/100. 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.