Top 10 most dangerous cities in Maryland

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Maryland, known for its rich history and diverse landscapes, offers a unique living experience. From the bustling city life of Baltimore to the scenic beauty of the Chesapeake Bay, Maryland provides a diverse array of attractions. The state's rich cultural heritage is evident in its seafood cuisine, historic sites, and vibrant festivals. However, despite its many positives, Maryland faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Maryland are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where extra caution is necessary. The contrast between Maryland's cultural richness and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this diverse state.

Efforts to improve safety in Maryland involve a combination of enhanced law enforcement measures and community engagement programs aimed at preventing violence and crime. These initiatives are crucial in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the most dangerous cities in Maryland. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and positive change. Maryland's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of cultural heritage, economic opportunities, and natural beauty continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

Baltimore Population: 602,274 1,572 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.31 chance of being a victim: 1 in 64 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,850

Baltimore, MD holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Maryland with 1,572 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (908), robbery (578), rape (45) and homicide (41) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 269% higher than the Maryland average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Salisbury Population: 32,850 1,102 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.02 chance of being a victim: 1 in 91 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,047

The second most dangerous city is Salisbury. With a population of 32,850 and a violent crime rate that is 158% higher than the Maryland average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Salisbury are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,102 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 91 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Hyattsville Population: 18,267 973 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.67 chance of being a victim: 1 in 103 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,448

Home to 18,267 residents, Hyattsville, MD ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Maryland. Unfortunately for residents of Hyattsville, crime is widespread, with more than 973 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.67 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 128% higher than the Maryland violent crime rate.

Elkton Population: 15,653 865 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.37 chance of being a victim: 1 in 116 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,627

With a violent crime rate that is 103% higher than the Maryland average, it's not hard to see why Elkton made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (150), assault (633), rape (69) and homicide (13). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Elkton more vulnerable to high crime.

Aberdeen Population: 15,904 833 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.28 chance of being a victim: 1 in 120 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,122

The ongoing battle with crime in Aberdeen, MD, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 833 and a 1 in 120 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Aberdeen has a violent crime rate that is 95% higher than the Maryland average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Aberdeen.

Cambridge Population: 12,300 776 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.13 chance of being a victim: 1 in 129 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,745

Cambridge, MD comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 776 per 100,000 people, which is 82% higher than the Maryland average. Cambridge has a population of 12,300, which translates to 2.13 crimes per day and 1 in 129 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Cambridge which are much safer than others.

Greenbelt Population: 23,253 693 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.90 chance of being a victim: 1 in 144 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,259

A 1 in 144 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 1.90 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Greenbelt makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 693 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 63% higher than the Maryland average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (353), robbery (307), rape (33) and homicide (0).

Bladensburg Population: 9,428 685 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.88 chance of being a victim: 1 in 146 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,771

Bladensburg, MD is another one of the most dangerous cities in Maryland and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 9,428 and a violent crime rate of 685 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 471 counts of assault, 193 counts of robbery, 11 counts of rape and 11 counts of homicide. All told, the Bladensburg violent crime rate is 61% higher than the Maryland average.

Mount Rainier Population: 8,149 685 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.88 chance of being a victim: 1 in 146 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,281

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Mount Rainier, MD comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Maryland with a violent crime rate of 685 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 1.88 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 146 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Hagerstown Population: 40,027 678 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.86 chance of being a victim: 1 in 147 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,804

Rounding out our list at #10 is Hagerstown, MD. With a population of 40,027 and a violent crime rate of 678 per 100,000 people (59% higher than the Maryland average), some parts of Hagerstown are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 427 counts of assault, 180 counts of robbery, 62 counts of rape and 9 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 147 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Maryland

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Baltimore	602,274	1,572	5,850
2	Salisbury	32,850	1,102	4,047
3	Hyattsville	18,267	973	5,448
4	Elkton	15,653	865	5,627
5	Aberdeen	15,904	833	3,122
6	Cambridge	12,300	776	4,745
7	Greenbelt	23,253	693	6,259
8	Bladensburg	9,428	685	4,771
9	Mount Rainier	8,149	685	4,281
10	Hagerstown	40,027	678	2,804
11	Annapolis	39,321	673	3,027
12	Laurel	25,734	668	5,109
13	Riverdale Park	7,216	634	3,567
14	Cumberland	19,495	628	4,924
15	District Heights	5,996	539	2,971
16	Takoma Park	17,703	526	6,264
17	Chestertown	5,073	411	2,218
18	Cheverly	6,439	403	2,788
19	Easton	16,589	389	2,335
20	Frederick	71,843	383	2,216
21	New Carrollton	12,925	354	2,706
22	Hampstead	6,403	297	970
23	Westminster	18,649	258	2,003
24	Gaithersburg	67,878	232	1,714
25	Glenarden	6,158	226	612
26	Brunswick	6,364	214	783
27	La Plata	9,516	201	2,124
28	Bel Air	10,102	190	2,428
29	Bowie	58,158	155	1,584
30	Rockville	68,155	141	1,433
31	Fruitland	5,281	117	1,298
32	Frostburg	8,550	115	231
33	Thurmont	6,783	44	502
34	Ocean Pines	12,950	17	231

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Maryland is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Maryland cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.