The data is in and, according to the 2016 FBI crime report, Maine is still one of the safest places to live in the United States.
Wells, a cozy coastal town with a population of 10,000, tops our list this year with a violent crime rate 95% lower than the national average. With only 0.2 violent crimes per 1,000 people and just over 12 property crimes per 1,000 people, Wells is an outstanding community when it comes to safety.
Second on our list is the picturesque town of Scarborough. Known for its outdoor activity offerings, Scarborough could also be known for its safety record. With a violent crime rate that is 87% lower than the national average, it too is a great place to raise a family in a safe environment.
The other three cities on our list, York, South Portland, and Lewiston, all boast similar numbers. York comes in with 0.62 violent crimes per 1,000 people, which is 86% lower than the national average. South Portland has 1.71 violent crimes per 1,000 people, and Lewiston has 1.77 violent crimes, both of which are about 65% lower than the national average.
In fact, the Pine Tree State as a whole has an average violent crime rate nearly 65% lower than the national average and a property crime rate nearly 18% lower than the national average. This is great news and maintains the Northeast’s long-standing ranking as the region of the United States with the lowest murder rate. Numbers like that are what lead U.S. News & World Report to list Maine as the safest state in America.
For even more information and resources on staying safe in Maine, see our Maine Safety Directory, where you’ll find tips on emergency preparedness, crime prevention, and more.
The 5 Safest Cities in Maine
1. Wells
Population: 10,174
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.20
Property crimes per 1,000: 12.29
Total crime: 1.60% violent, 98.40% property
2. Scarborough
Population: 19,851
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.60
Property crimes per 1,000: 19.95
Total crime: 3.03% violent, 96.97% property
3. York
Population: 12,927
Violent crimes per 1,000: 0.62
Property crimes per 1,000: 11.91
Total crime: 5.19% violent, 94.81% property
4. South Portland
Population: 25,674
Violent crimes per 1,000: 1.71
Property crimes per 1,000: 23.21
Total crime: 7.38% violent, 92.62% property
5. Lewiston
Population: 36,126
Violent crimes per 1,000: 1.77
Property crimes per 1,000: 19.87
Total crime: 8.91% violent, 91.09% property
How We Chose the Safest Cities in Maine
To identify the five safest cities in Maine, we reviewed the 2016 FBI crime report statistics and population data. Cities that fell below identified population thresholds or that failed to submit a complete crime report to the FBI were excluded from the ranking system.
Our evaluation is based on the number of reported violent crimes (aggravated assault, murder, rape,
and robbery) in each city. If there was a tie, we also factored in the number of property crimes (burglary, arson, larceny-theft, and motor vehicle theft). To level the playing field, we calculated the rate of crimes per 1,000 people in each city. This makes it easier to directly compare the likelihood of these crimes occurring in cities with vastly different populations.
Learn more about how we rank our Safest Cities Reports
How to Make a Safe Home Anywhere
Wherever you live, feeling safe in your home can bring greater peace of mind and happiness. Whether your city made our list or not, we recommend adding extra security to your home with monitored security services provided by the nation’s leading home security providers.
To learn more about the home security options available to you, check out SafeWise’s picks for Best Home Security Systems of 2018.
If you would like to contact a SafeWise Safest Cities Analyst, please email info@safewise.com.
Written by Laura E. Hilton
Laura is a writer, teacher, and mother based out of Utah. She is passionate about making and maintaining strong, safe, healthy communities. To learn more, visit her website at lauraehilton.com. Learn more
