Safest cities in Maine

Known as the 'Pine Tree State,' Maine is celebrated for its rugged coastline, picturesque lighthouses, and lush forests. Located in the northeastern United States, Maine is the easternmost state, offering stunning ocean views and abundant natural beauty. The state's economy is supported by industries such as fishing, forestry, agriculture, and tourism. Portland, the state's largest city, is known for its vibrant arts scene, historic architecture, and thriving culinary culture. Maine is also famous for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including hiking in Acadia National Park, skiing in the Western Mountains, and exploring its numerous lakes and rivers.

Low crime rates are crucial for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Maine particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Maine's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Maine's natural beauty, cultural richness, and recreational opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Orono Population: 9,523 403 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 360 chance of being a victim: 1 in 248

Orono proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Maine. With only 403 crimes per 100,000 people, Orono has a crime rate that is 88% lower than the Maine average. This equates to an average of 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 248 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Gorham Population: 7,322 536 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 43 Property Crime / 100k: 492 chance of being a victim: 1 in 187

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Gorham comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Maine with a crime rate of 536 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 32 counts of burglary, 422 counts of theft, 38 counts of vehicle theft, 32 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 11 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Gorham, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Kennebunk Population: 5,792 559 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 25 Property Crime / 100k: 534 chance of being a victim: 1 in 179

With a population of 5,792 and a total crime rate of 559 per 100,000 residents, Kennebunk is the 3rd safest city in Maine. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 88% lower than the Maine average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Yarmouth Population: 5,752 588 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 544 chance of being a victim: 1 in 170

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Yarmouth is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 588, 91% lower than the Maine average. This amounts to 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 170 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Yarmouth a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Belfast Population: 6,710 625 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 14 Property Crime / 100k: 611 chance of being a victim: 1 in 160

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Belfast consistently ranks high in safety. In Belfast, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 625, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Caribou Population: 7,659 666 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 598 chance of being a victim: 1 in 150

Caribou has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Maine. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 666 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Maine average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 68 reports of burglary, 503 reports of theft, 27 reports of vehicle theft, 68 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Old Town Population: 7,453 855 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 27 Property Crime / 100k: 827 chance of being a victim: 1 in 117

Old Town ranks as the seventh safest city in Maine and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 117 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.17 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Old Town’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Maine.

Bath Population: 8,333 906 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 34 Property Crime / 100k: 872 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Bath is the 8th safest city in Maine. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 91% lower than the Maine average, reporting a total of 906 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Topsham Population: 6,246 1,178 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 52 Property Crime / 100k: 1,126 chance of being a victim: 1 in 85

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Topsham is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Maine, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 1,178 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.

Westbrook Population: 18,935 1,229 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 178 Property Crime / 100k: 1,051 chance of being a victim: 1 in 81

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Maine, is Westbrook. With a low rate of crime that included 140 burglaries, 805 thefts, 106 vehicle thefts, 96 assaults, 39 robberies, 43 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 79% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Maine

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Orono	9,523	43	360	403
2	Gorham	7,322	43	492	536
3	Kennebunk	5,792	25	534	559
4	Yarmouth	5,752	44	544	588
5	Belfast	6,710	14	611	625
6	Caribou	7,659	68	598	666
7	Old Town	7,453	27	827	855
8	Bath	8,333	34	872	906
9	Topsham	6,246	52	1,126	1,178
10	Westbrook	18,935	178	1,051	1,229
11	Old Orchard Beach	8,952	162	1,320	1,482
12	Brunswick	15,974	73	1,526	1,599
13	Scarborough	5,268	65	1,589	1,654
14	Saco	19,716	143	1,514	1,657
15	Kittery	5,297	49	1,664	1,712
16	Portland	66,706	185	1,685	1,870
17	South Portland	25,665	157	1,793	1,949
18	Lewiston	36,158	277	1,921	2,198
19	Brewer	9,026	31	2,242	2,273
20	Rockland	7,172	85	2,245	2,330
21	Sanford	21,166	202	2,397	2,599
22	Presque Isle	9,072	183	2,435	2,618
23	Auburn	23,267	166	2,587	2,753
24	Biddeford	21,502	336	2,866	3,201
25	Skowhegan	6,341	209	3,002	3,211
26	Ellsworth	8,085	150	3,492	3,642
27	Augusta	18,662	447	3,876	4,323
28	Waterville	16,623	207	4,295	4,502
29	Bangor	32,029	162	4,832	4,994

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest 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 (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Maine cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.