Dorchester County Crime & Safety

Dorchester County, Maryland

Safety Score

63/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

Average

Total Crime Rate

850.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

125.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

724.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

63/100

Higher = safer

State avg 38/100

State Safety Rank

of 24 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dorchester County, Maryland

Exceptional Safety Levels on the Eastern Shore

Dorchester County boasts an impressive safety score of 98.7, making it one of the most secure areas in the country. Its total crime rate of 850.8 per 100,000 is roughly one-third of the national average of 2,385.5.

Leading Maryland in Public Safety

The county easily surpasses the state average safety score of 97.4. Its total crime rate is nearly 50% lower than the Maryland average of 1638.3 per 100,000 residents.

Dorchester Sets the Regional Safety Standard

Dorchester is considerably safer than neighboring Kent County, which reports a crime rate of 1067.9 per 100,000. It also outperforms Howard County, where the rate is nearly double at 1520.1.

Violent Crime Remains Remarkably Low

The county reports just 125.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the state average of 311.8. Property crime accounts for the remaining 724.9 incidents per 100,000 people.

Maintaining Peace of Mind in Dorchester

While crime rates are low, property safety remains a priority for local homeowners. Ensure your home stays protected by using motion-activated lighting and forming strong neighborhood watch habits.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dorchester County, MD?

Dorchester County has a total crime rate of 850.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (125.9 per 100K) and property crimes (724.9 per 100K).

Is Dorchester County, MD safe?

Dorchester County has a safety score of 63/100, rated "Average". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #3 out of 24 counties in Maryland for safety (1 = safest).

How does Dorchester County crime compare to the Maryland average?

The county easily surpasses the state average safety score of 97.4. Its total crime rate is nearly 50% lower than the Maryland average of 1638.3 per 100,000 residents.

What types of crime are most common in Dorchester County?

The county reports just 125.9 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, which is less than half the state average of 311.8. Property crime accounts for the remaining 724.9 incidents per 100,000 people.

How is crime data measured and reported for Dorchester County?

Crime data for Dorchester 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 Dorchester County safer than the Maryland average?

Dorchester County has a safety score of 63/100, 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.