Safest cities in Maine

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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.

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Orono Population: 9,523 150 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 103 chance of being a victim: 1 in 665

Orono proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Maine. With only 150 crimes per 100,000 people, Orono has a crime rate that is 87% lower than the Maine average. This equates to an average of 0.05 crimes per day and a 1 in 665 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: 7,322 420 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 22 Property Crime / 100k: 398 chance of being a victim: 1 in 238

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 420 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 71 counts of burglary, 251 counts of theft, 76 counts of vehicle theft, 11 counts of assault, 5 counts of robbery, 5 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.

Yarmouth Population: 5,752 509 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 89 Property Crime / 100k: 421 chance of being a victim: 1 in 196

With a population of 5,752 and a total crime rate of 509 per 100,000 residents, Yarmouth is the 3rd safest city in Maine. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 91% 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.

Belfast Population: 6,710 633 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 633 chance of being a victim: 1 in 158

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Belfast 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 633, 93% lower than the Maine average. This amounts to 0.12 crimes per day and a 1 in 158 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 Belfast a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Kennebunk Population: 5,792 698 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 631 chance of being a victim: 1 in 143

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Kennebunk consistently ranks high in safety. In Kennebunk, 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 698, which is 88% lower than the state average.

Bath Population: 8,333 789 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 721 chance of being a victim: 1 in 127

Bath 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 789 crimes per 100,000 people, 91% lower than the Maine average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 68 reports of burglary, 643 reports of theft, 11 reports of vehicle theft, 45 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 23 reports of homicide.

Topsham Population: 6,246 999 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 41 Property Crime / 100k: 958 chance of being a victim: 1 in 100

Topsham ranks as the seventh safest city in Maine and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 100 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.27 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. Topsham’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Maine.

Old Town Population: 7,453 1,036 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 40 Property Crime / 100k: 996 chance of being a victim: 1 in 97

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Old Town is the 8th safest city in Maine. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Maine average, reporting a total of 1,036 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.

Scarborough Population: 5,268 1,118 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 62 Property Crime / 100k: 1,056 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Scarborough 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 1,118 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 76% lower than the state average.

Gardiner Population: 5,670 1,125 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 113 Property Crime / 100k: 1,013 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Maine, is Gardiner. With a low rate of crime that included 48 burglaries, 836 thefts, 129 vehicle thefts, 32 assaults, 0 robberies, 64 rapes and 16 homicides, the overall crime rate was 94% 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	47	103	150
2	Gorham	7,322	22	398	420
3	Yarmouth	5,752	89	421	509
4	Belfast	6,710	0	633	633
5	Kennebunk	5,792	66	631	698
6	Bath	8,333	68	721	789
7	Topsham	6,246	41	958	999
8	Old Town	7,453	40	996	1,036
9	Scarborough	5,268	62	1,056	1,118
10	Gardiner	5,670	113	1,013	1,125
11	Old Orchard Beach	8,952	105	1,042	1,147
12	Saco	19,716	80	1,078	1,159
13	Kittery	5,297	54	1,179	1,233
14	Brunswick	15,974	71	1,191	1,262
15	Westbrook	18,935	175	1,155	1,330
16	South Portland	25,665	63	1,370	1,433
17	Lewiston	36,158	245	1,529	1,773
18	Brewer	9,026	41	1,795	1,836
19	Rockland	7,172	85	1,870	1,955
20	Presque Isle	9,072	220	2,175	2,395
21	Ellsworth	8,085	204	2,349	2,553
22	Auburn	23,267	216	2,428	2,644
23	Biddeford	21,502	314	2,349	2,662
24	Portland	66,706	267	2,479	2,746
25	Sanford	21,166	157	2,627	2,784
26	Waterville	16,623	142	3,024	3,166
27	Skowhegan	6,341	138	3,713	3,851
28	Augusta	18,662	250	4,091	4,341
29	Bangor	32,029	161	4,238	4,399

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.