Maine's 25 Most Dangerous Cities - Updated 2023

Unmasking Maine's Challenges: Exploring the 25 Least Safe Cities in total crime

Author: CrimeData.io Research Team

In a world filled with both promise and peril, understanding the areas where safety concerns loom large becomes crucial. Join us on an eye-opening expedition as we uncover the 25 most dangerous cities across Maine. From bustling urban hubs to underprivileged neighborhoods, these communities grapple with security challenges that demand attention.

Where does the crime data come from?

This comprehensive list of the safest and most dangerous cities in Maine is backed by credible data sourced directly from the FBI's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NBIRS). By relying on this authoritative database, we ensure that the information presented here is not only accurate but also up-to-date. The FBI's NBIRS system is a trusted source for crime statistics, providing valuable insights into the security landscapes of cities and communities across the nation.

How do we rank the cities?

Our ranking system is based on the total number of crimes reported in each city. We then calculated the crime rate per 100,000 population for each city. The cities with the lowest crime rates were ranked as the safest cities in Maine. Conversely, the cities with the highest crime rates were ranked as the most dangerous cities in Maine.

To ensure the relevance and accuracy of our rankings, this list includes only cities and communities in Maine with a population of more than 5,000 residents. This population threshold allows us to focus on areas where a significant number of people live and work, providing a meaningful perspective on safety for the majority of our readers.

The data presented in this report spans a period from 2012 to 2021. By aggregating information over this decade, we gain valuable insights into the trends and changes in safety and crime rates within Maine. This long-term perspective allows us to identify both short-term fluctuations and broader patterns, providing a comprehensive view of the security landscape in the state.

#20 Bangor

County: Penobscot

181

Crime per 100,000 population

-89.33%

vs. Maine average

-93.77%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Bangor from 2012 to 2022

Bangor is an area in Penobscot, Maine with population of 31,920. The total crime rate in Bangor is based on the nearest law agency agency, Bangor Police Department (ME0100100). Bangor total crime rate is 181 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Bangor

#19 Auburn

County: Androscoggin

231

Crime per 100,000 population

-86.37%

vs. Maine average

-92.05%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Auburn from 2012 to 2022

Auburn is an area in Androscoggin, Maine with population of 23,790. The total crime rate in Auburn is based on the nearest law agency agency, Androscoggin County Sheriff's Office (ME0010000). Auburn total crime rate is 231 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Auburn

#18 Ellsworth

County: Hancock

310

Crime per 100,000 population

-81.73%

vs. Maine average

-89.34%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Ellsworth from 2012 to 2022

Ellsworth is an area in Hancock, Maine with population of 8,340. The total crime rate in Ellsworth is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hancock County Sheriff's Office (ME0050000). Ellsworth total crime rate is 310 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Ellsworth

#17 Belfast

County: Waldo

442

Crime per 100,000 population

-73.94%

vs. Maine average

-84.79%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Belfast from 2012 to 2022

Belfast is an area in Waldo, Maine with population of 6,890. The total crime rate in Belfast is based on the nearest law agency agency, Waldo County Sheriff's Office (ME0140000). Belfast total crime rate is 442 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Belfast

#16 Bath

County: Sagadahoc

507

Crime per 100,000 population

-70.16%

vs. Maine average

-82.59%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Bath from 2012 to 2022

Bath is an area in Sagadahoc, Maine with population of 8,718. The total crime rate in Bath is based on the nearest law agency agency, Topsham Police Department (ME0120200). Bath total crime rate is 507 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Bath

#15 Rockland

County: Knox

519

Crime per 100,000 population

-69.43%

vs. Maine average

-82.16%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Rockland from 2012 to 2022

Rockland is an area in Knox, Maine with population of 6,977. The total crime rate in Rockland is based on the nearest law agency agency, Knox County Sheriff's Office (ME0070000). Rockland total crime rate is 519 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Rockland

#14 South Portland

County: Cumberland

796

Crime per 100,000 population

-53.16%

vs. Maine average

-72.67%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in South Portland from 2012 to 2022

South Portland is an area in Cumberland, Maine with population of 26,428. The total crime rate in South Portland is based on the nearest law agency agency, Cumberland County Sheriff's Office (ME0030000). South Portland total crime rate is 796 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in South Portland

#13 North Windham

County: Cumberland

891

Crime per 100,000 population

-47.55%

vs. Maine average

-69.39%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in North Windham from 2012 to 2022

North Windham is an area in Cumberland, Maine with population of 5,395. The total crime rate in North Windham is based on the nearest law agency agency, Windham Police Department (ME0031500). North Windham total crime rate is 891 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in North Windham

#12 Brewer

County: Penobscot

907

Crime per 100,000 population

-46.62%

vs. Maine average

-68.85%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Brewer from 2012 to 2022

Brewer is an area in Penobscot, Maine with population of 9,606. The total crime rate in Brewer is based on the nearest law agency agency, Brewer Police Department (ME0100200). Brewer total crime rate is 907 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Brewer

#11 Lewiston

County: Androscoggin

1,000

Crime per 100,000 population

-41.11%

vs. Maine average

-65.64%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Lewiston from 2012 to 2022

Lewiston is an area in Androscoggin, Maine with population of 36,615. The total crime rate in Lewiston is based on the nearest law agency agency, Lewiston Police Department (ME0010200). Lewiston total crime rate is 1,000 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Lewiston

#10 Gardiner

County: Kennebec

1,076

Crime per 100,000 population

-36.67%

vs. Maine average

-63.05%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Gardiner from 2012 to 2022

Gardiner is an area in Kennebec, Maine with population of 5,944. The total crime rate in Gardiner is based on the nearest law agency agency, Gardiner Police Department (ME0060200). Gardiner total crime rate is 1,076 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Gardiner

#9 Augusta

County: Kennebec

1,352

Crime per 100,000 population

-20.43%

vs. Maine average

-53.57%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Augusta from 2012 to 2022

Augusta is an area in Kennebec, Maine with population of 18,895. The total crime rate in Augusta is based on the nearest law agency agency, Hallowell Police Department (ME0060300). Augusta total crime rate is 1,352 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Augusta

#8 Portland

County: Cumberland

1,530

Crime per 100,000 population

-9.96%

vs. Maine average

-47.46%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Portland from 2012 to 2022

Portland is an area in Cumberland, Maine with population of 220,807. The total crime rate in Portland is based on the nearest law agency agency, Portland Police Department (ME0030500). Portland total crime rate is 1,530 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Portland

#7 Saco

County: York

1,599

Crime per 100,000 population

-5.88%

vs. Maine average

-45.08%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Saco from 2012 to 2022

Saco is an area in York, Maine with population of 20,203. The total crime rate in Saco is based on the nearest law agency agency, Saco Police Department (ME0160400). Saco total crime rate is 1,599 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Saco

#6 Biddeford

County: York

1,599

Crime per 100,000 population

-5.88%

vs. Maine average

-45.08%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Biddeford from 2012 to 2022

Biddeford is an area in York, Maine with population of 22,331. The total crime rate in Biddeford is based on the nearest law agency agency, Saco Police Department (ME0160400). Biddeford total crime rate is 1,599 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Biddeford

#5 Presque Isle

County: Aroostook

1,674

Crime per 100,000 population

-1.47%

vs. Maine average

-42.51%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Presque Isle from 2012 to 2022

Presque Isle is an area in Aroostook, Maine with population of 8,859. The total crime rate in Presque Isle is based on the nearest law agency agency, Presque Isle Police Department (ME0020600). Presque Isle total crime rate is 1,674 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Presque Isle

#4 Caribou

County: Aroostook

1,674

Crime per 100,000 population

-1.47%

vs. Maine average

-42.51%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Caribou from 2012 to 2022

Caribou is an area in Aroostook, Maine with population of 7,448. The total crime rate in Caribou is based on the nearest law agency agency, Presque Isle Police Department (ME0020600). Caribou total crime rate is 1,674 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Caribou

#3 Westbrook

County: Cumberland

1,732

Crime per 100,000 population

+1.93%

vs. Maine average

-40.53%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Westbrook from 2012 to 2022

Westbrook is an area in Cumberland, Maine with population of 20,074. The total crime rate in Westbrook is based on the nearest law agency agency, Westbrook Police Department (ME0030800). Westbrook total crime rate is 1,732 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Westbrook

#2 Sanford

County: York

2,802

Crime per 100,000 population

+64.92%

vs. Maine average

-3.77%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Sanford from 2012 to 2022

Sanford is an area in York, Maine with population of 21,812. The total crime rate in Sanford is based on the nearest law agency agency, Sanford Police Department (ME0160500). Sanford total crime rate is 2,802 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Sanford

#1 Waterville

County: Kennebec

3,919

Crime per 100,000 population

+130.67%

vs. Maine average

+34.59%

vs. US average 🇺🇸

Chart of total crime rate in Waterville from 2012 to 2022

Waterville is an area in Kennebec, Maine with population of 15,872. The total crime rate in Waterville is based on the nearest law agency agency, Waterville Police Department (ME0060400). Waterville total crime rate is 3,919 per 100,000 population, compared to Maine average of 1,699.38 per 100,000 population and United States average of 2,912.43 per 100,000 population.

» Learn more about crime in Waterville

Factors Influencing Crime Rates in Maine

Safety Tips for Total Crime in Maine

Explore More on Crime Rates in Maine

Interested in learning more about crime rates in Maine? Check out our comprehensive guide to crime rates in Maine for a detailed analysis of crime trends and statistics across the state. From the safest cities to the most dangerous communities, this guide provides a comprehensive overview of crime rates in Maine.

Explore More on Crime Rates in United States

Curious about crime rates in the United States? Explore our comprehensive guide to crime statistics and trends across the country. From the safest cities to the most concerning communities, this guide offers an in-depth analysis of crime rates throughout the United States.

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