Portland, ME Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Portland, ME

The Portland crime rates are 19.6% lower than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 126 violent crimes in Portland (185 per 100,000 people), which is 50% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1149 property crimes (1685 per 100,000 residents) which is 13.8% lower than average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Portland?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Portland. Based on the results of the surveys (47 responses), 60% of people felt that there was very little crime in Portland and felt safe walking alone at night. While 40% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Portland a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Portland is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Portland has a total crime rate that is 20% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 3.49 daily crimes (0.35 violent daily crimes and 3.15 daily property crimes) in Portland.

Has Crime in Portland Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Portland crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Portland has decreased by 5.7% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 17.1% and property crime has decreased by 4.3%.

Portland Neighborhood Crime Rates

There are more than 17 different neighborhoods in the Portland area. Depending on their location and other socioeconomic factors, the rate of crime in each neighborhood is vastly different. Areas that are located near the center or downtown core, tend to be more densely populated and typically see higher crime rates. While neighborhoods in the outskirts of the city tend to be less densely populated and have lower unemployment and poverty rates. Some of the safer neighborhoods in Portland include Rosemont, Deering Center and North Deering. While Downtown, West Bayside and Valley Street have a reported crime rate that is higher than average. This reinforces the need to do a quality check on multiple neighborhoods as their crime rates can be quite different.

Potential Causes for Crime in Portland

The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower Portland crime rates. In Portland, the poverty rate stands at 13.9%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.

In Portland, 88.7% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

The effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing initiatives can influence crime rates. A strong and collaborative relationship between the police and the community can deter criminal activity and improve safety. In Portland, there are 3.28 police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to the national average of 3.25. The effectiveness of law enforcement often depends on community policing strategies that emphasize building trust and cooperation between the police and the community. It's not just about the number of officers but also how they engage with the community.

Portland crime map