Maine’s Safest Cities of 2024

See crime rates for the safest cities.

Maine has some of the lowest per capita crime rates in the nation—coming in second-lowest for violent crime and fourth-lowest for property crime. So it's no surprise that Maine residents remain less concerned about crime and safety in general, compared to the rest of the country, but high concern about specific crimes increased year over year. 

Maine’s violent crime rate is the second lowest in the nation, with 1.1 incidents per 1,000 people (US 4.0). The state’s property crime rate is 12.4, much lower than the national rate of 20.7—giving Maine the fourth lowest per capita property crime rate in the US.

Property crime in Maine rose for the second consecutive year, increasing from 11.7 property crimes per 1,000 people to 12.4. It seems that Maine residents are in tune with this change, as State of Safety Survey respondents in Maine expressed 13% higher levels of concern about property crime than in last year's report.

• Maine has the fourth lowest property crime rate in the US.
• Package theft specifically and property crime, in general, are the top concerns in Maine.
• Experiences with property crime increased year over year, with 28% of Maine respondents reporting a run-in during the 12 months prior to the survey (US 27%)
• 31% told us they experienced a package theft in the 12 months prior to the survey—four points lower than the national average. 
• 34% of Maine respondents told us they increased their security measures in the 12 months prior to the survey, and 7 in 10 said they feel safe in the state.
• Security cameras have overcome firearms as most popular form of property protection, used by 41% and 29% of those we surveyed, respectively. 

Maine has the second-lowest violent crime rate in the US—1.1 incidents per 1,000 people. Overall, per capita violent crime has stayed the same for the third consecutive year, with violent crime making up only 8% of all crime in the state, half of the prevalence nationwide.

• Respondents' level of concern over violent crime rose 24% year over year, with 36% saying they're highly concerned on a daily basis.
• Reported experience with violent crime rose from 9% in last year's report to 12%.
• Only 59% of Mainers think crime is on the rise overall—the second lowest in the nation.
• The number of Mainers surveyed who reported using some form of personal protection was 33% (down from 37% the year before), with the US average coming to 36%.
• Pepper spray is the most-used type of personal protection (58%) followed by pocket knives (52%).

Our survey, which was fielded prior to the tragic shooting in Lewiston last October, indicated that most Mainers surveyed aren't highly concerned about gun violence (39% versus 51% nationwide). That said, both concern and reported experience with gun violence rose year over year.

• Mainers surveyed reported the lowest personal experience (5%) with gun violence in the country. Nationwide, 12% of people surveyed had a gun violence experience in the 12 months prior to the survey.
• There were 2 mass shooting incidents in Maine in 2023—the state saw zero in 2022 and 2021.
• Nearly 3 in 10 (29%) Maine respondents use a firearm to help protect their home (US 28%).
• 33% of Mainers who use any kind of personal protection, said they carry a firearm for self-protection. (US 41%)

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

• Cumberland climbed its way from fifth place to first place this year.
• Cape Elizabeth held on to second place, reporting a total of 28 crimes.
• Gorham jumped 8 spots to round out the top 10 safest cities in Maine.
• No murders were reported in Maine's safest cities.
• Maine’s safest cities collectively reported 27 total violent crimes in the most recent FBI report. 19 of those (70%) were aggravated assault.
• Cumberland is the only to city to report zero burglaries and zero car thefts.
• Eliot, Belfast, Orono, and Bar Harbor each reported only 2 burglaries.
• Every safest city reported fewer than 100 property crimes, and 8 reported fewer than 50. 

• Best Home Security Systems
• Best Home Security Cameras
• Best Video Doorbell Cameras
• Burglary Stats & Facts
• Over 50% Of All Burglaries Are Residential—How To Protect Your Family
• The Best Personal Safety Devices for Every Situation

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 18, 2024.

• 2022 and 2021 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
  • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
• 2022 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 18, 2024.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 18, 2023.