Top 10 most dangerous cities in Maine

Get Location-Based Crime Data for any Address in Maine
*based on availability

Maine, known for its rugged coastline and picturesque landscapes, offers a tranquil and scenic living experience. From the charming coastal towns like Bar Harbor to the vast wilderness of Acadia National Park, Maine provides a diverse array of attractions. The state's rich cultural heritage is evident in its seafood cuisine, lighthouses, and historic sites. Despite its many positives, Maine faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Maine are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where vigilance is necessary. The contrast between Maine's natural serenity and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this diverse state.

Efforts to improve safety in Maine 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 Maine. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and revitalization efforts. Maine's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

500 km

300 mi

+−

Biddeford Population: 21,502 326 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.89 chance of being a victim: 1 in 307 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,397

Biddeford, ME holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Maine with 326 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (228), robbery (45), rape (49) and homicide (4) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 218% higher than the Maine 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.

Lewiston Population: 36,158 321 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.88 chance of being a victim: 1 in 311 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,007

The second most dangerous city is Lewiston. With a population of 36,158 and a violent crime rate that is 214% higher than the Maine average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Lewiston are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 321 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 311 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Augusta Population: 18,662 287 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.79 chance of being a victim: 1 in 348 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,513

Home to 18,662 residents, Augusta, ME ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Maine. Unfortunately for residents of Augusta, crime is widespread, with more than 287 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 0.79 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 180% higher than the Maine violent crime rate.

Portland Population: 66,706 228 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.62 chance of being a victim: 1 in 438 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,939

With a violent crime rate that is 123% higher than the Maine average, it's not hard to see why Portland made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (37), assault (143), rape (45) and homicide (3). 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 Portland more vulnerable to high crime.

Ellsworth Population: 8,085 225 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.62 chance of being a victim: 1 in 445 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,619

The ongoing battle with crime in Ellsworth, ME, 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 225 and a 1 in 445 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Ellsworth has a violent crime rate that is 119% higher than the Maine 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 Ellsworth.

Presque Isle Population: 9,072 209 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.57 chance of being a victim: 1 in 479 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,187

Presque Isle, ME comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 209 per 100,000 people, which is 104% higher than the Maine average. Presque Isle has a population of 9,072, which translates to 0.57 crimes per day and 1 in 479 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 Presque Isle which are much safer than others.

Waterville Population: 16,623 209 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.57 chance of being a victim: 1 in 480 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,646

A 1 in 480 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 0.57 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Waterville makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 209 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 103% higher than the Maine average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (51), robbery (38), rape (114) and homicide (6).

Old Orchard Beach Population: 8,952 201 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.55 chance of being a victim: 1 in 498 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,447

Old Orchard Beach, ME is another one of the most dangerous cities in Maine and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 8,952 and a violent crime rate of 201 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 137 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 63 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. All told, the Old Orchard Beach violent crime rate is 96% higher than the Maine average.

Westbrook Population: 18,935 188 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.51 chance of being a victim: 1 in 532 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,306

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, Westbrook, ME comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Maine with a violent crime rate of 188 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.51 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 532 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Sanford Population: 21,166 183 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.50 chance of being a victim: 1 in 547 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,730

Rounding out our list at #10 is Sanford, ME. With a population of 21,166 and a violent crime rate of 183 per 100,000 people (78% higher than the Maine average), some parts of Sanford are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 85 counts of assault, 27 counts of robbery, 71 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 547 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Maine

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Biddeford	21,502	326	3,397
2	Lewiston	36,158	321	2,007
3	Augusta	18,662	287	4,513
4	Portland	66,706	228	1,939
5	Ellsworth	8,085	225	2,619
6	Presque Isle	9,072	209	3,187
7	Waterville	16,623	209	3,646
8	Old Orchard Beach	8,952	201	1,447
9	Westbrook	18,935	188	1,306
10	Sanford	21,166	183	2,730
11	Bangor	32,029	171	4,184
12	Skowhegan	6,341	150	3,316
13	Auburn	23,267	144	2,231
14	Brunswick	15,974	119	1,427
15	Saco	19,716	118	1,545
16	South Portland	25,665	106	1,258
17	Rockland	7,172	100	1,308
18	Gardiner	5,670	81	907
19	Belfast	6,710	71	649
20	Caribou	7,659	67	777
21	Yarmouth	5,752	66	394
22	Kennebunk	5,792	59	464
23	Scarborough	5,268	55	1,349
24	Topsham	6,246	31	1,333
25	Old Town	7,453	27	1,327
26	Gorham	7,322	23	434
27	Bath	8,333	23	884
28	Brewer	9,026	21	2,204
29	Orono	9,523	18	248
30	Kittery	5,297	10	1,202

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Maine 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 Maine 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

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

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.