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: 9,523 248 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 18 Property Crime / 100k: 230 chance of being a victim: 1 in 403

Orono proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Maine. With only 248 crimes per 100,000 people, Orono has a crime rate that is 89% lower than the Maine average. This equates to an average of 0.08 crimes per day and a 1 in 403 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.

Yarmouth Population: 5,752 394 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 66 Property Crime / 100k: 328 chance of being a victim: 1 in 254

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Yarmouth comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Maine with a crime rate of 394 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 33 counts of burglary, 263 counts of theft, 33 counts of vehicle theft, 44 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 22 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Yarmouth, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Gorham Population: 7,322 434 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 23 Property Crime / 100k: 411 chance of being a victim: 1 in 230

With a population of 7,322 and a total crime rate of 434 per 100,000 residents, Gorham is the 3rd safest city in Maine. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 82% 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.

Kennebunk Population: 5,792 464 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 59 Property Crime / 100k: 405 chance of being a victim: 1 in 216

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Kennebunk 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 464, 88% lower than the Maine average. This amounts to 0.15 crimes per day and a 1 in 216 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 Kennebunk a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Belfast Population: 6,710 649 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 71 Property Crime / 100k: 578 chance of being a victim: 1 in 154

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 649, which is 93% lower than the state average.

Caribou Population: 7,659 777 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 67 Property Crime / 100k: 710 chance of being a victim: 1 in 129

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 777 crimes per 100,000 people, 93% lower than the Maine average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 67 reports of burglary, 617 reports of theft, 27 reports of vehicle theft, 40 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 13 reports of rape and 13 reports of homicide.

Bath Population: 8,333 884 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 23 Property Crime / 100k: 861 chance of being a victim: 1 in 113

Bath ranks as the seventh safest city in Maine and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 113 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.21 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. Bath’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Maine.

Gardiner Population: 5,670 907 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 81 Property Crime / 100k: 826 chance of being a victim: 1 in 110

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Gardiner is the 8th safest city in Maine. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 94% lower than the Maine average, reporting a total of 907 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.

Kittery Population: 5,297 1,202 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 10 Property Crime / 100k: 1,193 chance of being a victim: 1 in 83

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Kittery 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 1,202 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.

South Portland Population: 25,665 1,258 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 106 Property Crime / 100k: 1,152 chance of being a victim: 1 in 79

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Maine, is South Portland. With a low rate of crime that included 66 burglaries, 1,002 thefts, 84 vehicle thefts, 59 assaults, 11 robberies, 37 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 73% 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	18	230	248
2	Yarmouth	5,752	66	328	394
3	Gorham	7,322	23	411	434
4	Kennebunk	5,792	59	405	464
5	Belfast	6,710	71	578	649
6	Caribou	7,659	67	710	777
7	Bath	8,333	23	861	884
8	Gardiner	5,670	81	826	907
9	Kittery	5,297	10	1,193	1,202
10	South Portland	25,665	106	1,152	1,258
11	Westbrook	18,935	188	1,118	1,306
12	Rockland	7,172	100	1,209	1,308
13	Old Town	7,453	27	1,300	1,327
14	Topsham	6,246	31	1,302	1,333
15	Scarborough	5,268	55	1,294	1,349
16	Brunswick	15,974	119	1,308	1,427
17	Old Orchard Beach	8,952	201	1,247	1,447
18	Saco	19,716	118	1,426	1,545
19	Portland	66,706	228	1,711	1,939
20	Lewiston	36,158	321	1,686	2,007
21	Brewer	9,026	21	2,183	2,204
22	Auburn	23,267	144	2,086	2,231
23	Ellsworth	8,085	225	2,394	2,619
24	Sanford	21,166	183	2,547	2,730
25	Presque Isle	9,072	209	2,978	3,187
26	Skowhegan	6,341	150	3,166	3,316
27	Biddeford	21,502	326	3,071	3,397
28	Waterville	16,623	209	3,437	3,646
29	Bangor	32,029	171	4,013	4,184
30	Augusta	18,662	287	4,226	4,513

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.