Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Maine
Maine's picturesque landscapes and charming towns make it a popular destination. However, it's crucial to consider safety when choosing a place to live or visit. In this updated list of the 10 most dangerous places in Maine, we examine crime statistics to provide insights into safety conditions. Please note that crime rates may have changed since our last update in September 2021.
1. Augusta
Augusta, ME
With a population of just under 19,000 residents, Augusta reported the most property crimes per person in 2013, totaling 1,206. Additionally, the city had 68 violent crimes, including one murder, 25 rapes, 16 robberies, and 26 assaults. This gave Augusta the highest number of crimes per person in the state, with residents having just a 1 in 15 chance of being the victim of a crime.
2. Biddeford
Biddeford, ME
Biddeford had the most violent crimes per person in the state in 2013, with a total of 119 violent crimes for its population of 21,324 residents. The city also reported 1,139 property crimes, ranking fourth per person in this category. This resulted in a total of 1,258 crimes for the year and residents having a 1 in 17 chance of being the victim of a crime.
3. Bangor
Bangor, ME
Bangor, while not ranking as badly for violent crimes overall, had the fifth most murders per person in the state in 2013, with three reported murders. Additionally, the city reported 1,844 property crimes, ranking third per person in this category. These statistics placed Bangor fourth for crimes per person in Maine.
4. Waterville
Waterville, ME
Waterville ranked high for its overall number of crimes, reporting a total of 847 in 2013. With just under 16,000 residents, this gave the city the fifth most crimes per person. These included 804 property crimes, ranking fifth per person, and 43 violent crimes, ranking fourth per person. Notably, Waterville did not report any murders.
5. Skowhegan
Skowhegan, ME
Despite its small population of just under 9,000 residents, Skowhegan had the second-highest number of crimes per capita overall in 2013. The city reported a total of 516 crimes, including 498 property crimes and 18 violent crimes. This small-town ranking highlights the importance of calculating crimes per person.
6. Portland
Portland, ME
As the largest city in Maine with over 66,000 residents, Portland's crime numbers were influenced by its size. It reported just one murder in 2013, fewer than some smaller places. However, the city had the fifth most violent crimes per person and the eighth most property crimes, resulting in the seventh most crimes per person overall.
7. Sanford
Sanford, ME
Sanford ranked high for its number of violent crimes in 2013, with 70 violent crimes for its population of 20,913 residents. This gave Sanford the third-highest number of violent crimes per person. The city also reported 803 property crimes, contributing to its overall crime ranking.
8. Auburn
Auburn, ME
Auburn ranked among the top 10 for its high number of total crimes per person, with the sixth most crimes overall. This was primarily due to a high number of property crimes, totaling 1,072 for its population of 22,948. Additionally, Auburn reported 32 violent crimes, although none included murders.
9. South Portland
South Portland, ME
South Portland, despite its name, was not part of Portland but still made our top 10 list. While it had the seventh most violent crimes and the 14th most property crimes per person in 2013, it reported no murders.
10. Lewiston
Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, often considered alongside Auburn as L-A, reported its crime data separately. In 2013, it had 89 violent crimes, ranking sixth for violent crimes per person, but fortunately, no murders. With 1,217 property crimes, Lewiston had the 13th most crimes per person in our study.