Montgomery County Crime & Safety

Montgomery County, Maryland

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1653.8

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

180.9

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1472.9

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

30/100

Higher = safer

State avg 38/100

State Safety Rank

#16

of 24 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Montgomery County, Maryland

Montgomery County's National Safety Position

Montgomery County holds a safety score of 97.4, indicating it is safer than the national average. Its total crime rate of 1653.8 per 100,000 residents is roughly 30% lower than the national rate of 2,385.5.

Matching the Maryland State Average

The county's safety score of 97.4 exactly matches the Maryland state average. Its total crime rate of 1653.8 is just slightly above the statewide average of 1638.3 per 100,000.

Comparative Safety in the DMV Region

Montgomery County reports more crime than neighboring Howard County, which sits at 1520.1 per 100,000. It also has a higher rate than Frederick County, which reports 1197.9.

Property Crime Dominates the Numbers

Property crime is the most common issue, occurring at a rate of 1472.9 per 100,000 residents. However, the violent crime rate of 180.9 is nearly 42% lower than the state average of 311.8.

Active Home Protection in Montgomery County

Given the higher property crime rate, residents should invest in robust home security. Motion-sensor lights and alarm systems are effective tools for deterring local theft.

SimpliSafe Home Security

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

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Montgomery County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Montgomery County, MD?

Montgomery County has a total crime rate of 1653.8 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (180.9 per 100K) and property crimes (1472.9 per 100K).

Is Montgomery County, MD safe?

Montgomery County has a safety score of 30/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #16 out of 24 counties in Maryland for safety (1 = safest).

How does Montgomery County crime compare to the Maryland average?

The county's safety score of 97.4 exactly matches the Maryland state average. Its total crime rate of 1653.8 is just slightly above the statewide average of 1638.3 per 100,000.

What types of crime are most common in Montgomery County?

Property crime is the most common issue, occurring at a rate of 1472.9 per 100,000 residents. However, the violent crime rate of 180.9 is nearly 42% lower than the state average of 311.8.

How is crime data measured and reported for Montgomery County?

Crime data for Montgomery 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 Montgomery County?

Montgomery County has a safety score of 30/100, 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.