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.

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Baltimore Population: 602,274 1,606 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 4.40 chance of being a victim: 1 in 62 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,763

Baltimore, MD holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Maryland with 1,606 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (941), robbery (573), rape (58) and homicide (35) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 282% 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.

Elkton Population: 15,653 1,080 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.96 chance of being a victim: 1 in 93 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,312

The second most dangerous city is Elkton. With a population of 15,653 and a violent crime rate that is 157% higher than the Maryland average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Elkton are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,080 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 93 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Riverdale Park Population: 7,216 985 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.70 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,896

Home to 7,216 residents, Riverdale Park, MD ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Maryland. Unfortunately for residents of Riverdale Park, crime is widespread, with more than 985 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.70 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 134% higher than the Maryland violent crime rate.

Ocean City Population: 6,957 980 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.69 chance of being a victim: 1 in 102 Total Crimes / 100k: 9,787

With a violent crime rate that is 133% higher than the Maryland average, it's not hard to see why Ocean City made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (58), assault (749), rape (173) and homicide (0). 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 Ocean City more vulnerable to high crime.

Bladensburg Population: 9,428 970 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.66 chance of being a victim: 1 in 103 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,487

The ongoing battle with crime in Bladensburg, 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 970 and a 1 in 103 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Bladensburg has a violent crime rate that is 131% 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 Bladensburg.

Salisbury Population: 32,850 955 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.62 chance of being a victim: 1 in 105 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,960

Salisbury, MD comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 955 per 100,000 people, which is 127% higher than the Maryland average. Salisbury has a population of 32,850, which translates to 2.62 crimes per day and 1 in 105 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 Salisbury which are much safer than others.

Annapolis Population: 39,321 808 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.22 chance of being a victim: 1 in 124 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,903

A 1 in 124 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 2.22 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Annapolis makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 808 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 92% higher than the Maryland average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (541), robbery (171), rape (89) and homicide (7).

Mount Rainier Population: 8,149 782 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.14 chance of being a victim: 1 in 128 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,414

Mount Rainier, MD is another one of the most dangerous cities in Maryland and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 8,149 and a violent crime rate of 782 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 397 counts of assault, 298 counts of robbery, 50 counts of rape and 37 counts of homicide. All told, the Mount Rainier violent crime rate is 86% higher than the Maryland average.

District Heights Population: 5,996 780 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.14 chance of being a victim: 1 in 128 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,461

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, District Heights, MD comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Maryland with a violent crime rate of 780 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 2.14 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 128 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Hagerstown Population: 40,027 714 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.96 chance of being a victim: 1 in 140 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,177

Rounding out our list at #10 is Hagerstown, MD. With a population of 40,027 and a violent crime rate of 714 per 100,000 people (70% higher than the Maryland average), some parts of Hagerstown are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 409 counts of assault, 223 counts of robbery, 73 counts of rape and 9 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 140 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	1,606	5,763
2	Elkton	15,653	1,080	6,312
3	Riverdale Park	7,216	985	3,896
4	Ocean City	6,957	980	9,787
5	Bladensburg	9,428	970	4,487
6	Salisbury	32,850	955	3,960
7	Annapolis	39,321	808	2,903
8	Mount Rainier	8,149	782	3,414
9	District Heights	5,996	780	2,461
10	Hagerstown	40,027	714	3,177
11	Hyattsville	18,267	688	4,028
12	Greenbelt	23,253	649	5,026
13	Aberdeen	15,904	596	2,629
14	Cambridge	12,300	545	3,733
15	Takoma Park	17,703	540	7,613
16	Cumberland	19,495	461	4,389
17	Frederick	71,843	406	2,080
18	Easton	16,589	400	2,380
19	Laurel	25,734	394	5,255
20	Mount Airy	9,439	321	1,345
21	New Carrollton	12,925	293	1,938
22	Gaithersburg	67,878	253	1,565
23	Westminster	18,649	242	2,283
24	Bel Air	10,102	240	2,245
25	Chestertown	5,073	231	2,083
26	Cheverly	6,439	218	3,082
27	La Plata	9,516	216	1,970
28	Glenarden	6,158	209	1,091
29	Fruitland	5,281	200	2,389
30	Bowie	58,158	193	2,473
31	Hampstead	6,403	155	978
32	Rockville	68,155	150	1,673
33	Havre de Grace	13,808	139	1,404
34	Brunswick	6,364	130	624
35	Thurmont	6,783	88	659
36	Ocean Pines	12,950	33	360
37	Frostburg	8,550	14	115

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.