A+
48%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
72%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
43%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleWiscasset/100k peopleMaine/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime47n/a (estimate)1,2111,3172,324
Murder0n/a0.02.26.3
Rape2n/a51.532.040.0
Robbery0n/a0.010.066.1
Assault2n/a51.559.0268.2
Violent crime4n/a (estimate)103103370
Burglary7n/a180.4115.9269.8
Theft35n/a902.11,026.81,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a25.870.9282.7
Property crime43n/a (estimate)1,1081,2141,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Wiscasset, ME

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Wiscasset is 47.9% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 4 violent crimes reported in Wiscasset, equivalent to 103 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 72.1%. Additionally, Wiscasset recorded 43 property crimes, amounting to 1108 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 43.3%.

Wiscasset has one of the lowest violent crime rates of all cities in the United States. With a rate of 103 violent crimes per 100,000 people, Wiscasset ranks among the safest cities in the United States making it an attractive choice for those seeking a new place to call home.

Wiscasset showcased a dedication to violent crime safety in its latest reported crime year by achieving a murder rate of 0. This accomplishment could indicate that it is a safe place for residents, but also provides a shining example to other urban areas endeavoring to create safer communities.

Is Wiscasset a Safe Place to Live?

Is Wiscasset a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Wiscasset has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 48%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.13 daily incidents, encompassing 0.01 violent crimes and 0.12 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wiscasset as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Wiscasset 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 Wiscasset 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 Wiscasset has increased by 80.8% year over year. Violent crime has didn't change by 0% and property crime has increased by 95.5%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Wiscasset

Wiscasset has a poverty rate of 22.3, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Wiscasset, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 2.7%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.

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 Wiscasset, there are 0.81 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.

Wiscasset crime map



The Wiscasset crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Wiscasset as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Wiscasset crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Wiscasset crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Wiscasset, ME Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Wiscasset crime rates are 48% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Wiscasset are 72% lower than the national average
      • In Wiscasset you have a 1 in 83 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Wiscasset is safer than 70% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Wiscasset has increased by 75%

      Wiscasset, ME Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Wiscasset (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Wiscasset (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Wiscasset

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Wiscasset is 1 in 970
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Wiscasset is 1 in 91
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Wiscasset is 1 in 83

        Year Over Year Crime In Wiscasset (per 100,000 people)

        Wiscasset police department

        Item Wiscasset Maine National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)31,653558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents0.82.13.3
        There are a total of 3 Wiscasset police officers. This results in 0.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 60.8% less than the Maine average and 75.1% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Maine

        State Total offenders Maine /100K National /100K
        Maine2,822220266
        There are a total of 2,822 sex offenders in Maine. This yields a total of 220 sex offenders in Maine per 100,000 residents which is 17% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Richmond, ME1,7400167167
        Boothbay Harbor, ME1,0870526526
        Newcastle, ME64357675732
        Damariscotta, ME1,35243729772
        Bath, ME8,33334872906
        Bowdoinham, ME74871835906
        Topsham, ME6,246521,1261,178
        Wiscasset, ME1,2931031,1081,211

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Sea Bright, NJ1,293275275551
        Tower Lakes, IL1,29340236276
        Brookdale, CA1,293140656796
        Van Vleck, TX1,2932281,2131,441
        Eatons Neck, NY1,29360242302
        Wiscasset, ME1,2931031,1081,211
        Source: The Wiscasset, ME crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.