10 Most Dangerous Cities in Maine

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Maine is a state in northern New England and is considered the state with the most eastern location.

Maine, in terms of total area, is the largest state in New England, although it is quite rural and, therefore, the ninth least populous.

Maine is known for its beautiful jagged, rocky coast that is home to some of the world’s best lobsters.

Its most populous city is Portland – a harbor city on the coast within driving distance of the New Hampshire coast and even downtown Boston.

The 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Maine 

Maine has a total of 721 towns, cities, boroughs, and such.

Of these, 148 were incorporated cities.

The violent crime rate for Maine overall is more than twice the national standard at 8.23 per 1,000 residents.

The potential for property crime is more in line with national statistics.

Biddeford (Yorktown County)

• Population –22,569 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 4.03 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 22.91 per 1,000 residents.

Biddeford is a small city along the Maine coast where the earliest European settlers first arrived in 1616.

The less safe spots in Biddeford are in City Center and Biddeford West.

Biddeford has some of the highest violent crime rates in Maine, with a crime rate that is nearly four times the state average.

Those living and visiting Biddeford have twice the chance of becoming a property crime victim than anywhere else in the state.

Augusta (Kennebec County)

• Population –18,968 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 3.11 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 29.95 per 1,000 residents.

Augusta is the state capital of Maine, located near the central part of the Maine coastline and the Kennebec River.

Augusta’s violent crime rate is below the national level but nearly three times the Maine state average.

Property crime rates in Augusta are similarly above state averages, with a 1 in 33 chance of becoming a property crime victim in Augusta. 

Lewiston (Androscoggin County)

• Population –36,617 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.59 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 16.17 per 1,000 residents.

Lewiston is a city in the southern part of the state and the 2nd largest city in Maine, with crime statistics that align with any city in Maine.

Violent crime happens more than twice the state average in Lewiston.

Property crime in Lewiston is 50% above the state average but below the national median level.

In terms of crime per square mile, Lewiston’s crime stat in this regard is nearly ten times the state average or Maine.

Auburn (Androscoggin County)

• Population –24,033 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.12 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 27.13 per 1,000 residents.

Auburn is known locally as the sister city of Lewiston.

The city was first settled in 1786.

The inner parts of this urban area – City Center, Auburn Southeast, and New Auburn, are considered the more dangerous areas of Auburn.

Property crime tends to be a bit larger of an issue in Auburn, as the average property crime level is about three times the state level (a 1 in 37 chance), and the violent crime rate is twice Maine’s average.

Waterville (Kennebec County)

• Population –15,959 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.19 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 41.17 per 1,000 residents.

Waterville is a small college town in central/south Maine.

It is home to Thomas College and Colby College.

The areas alongside the Kennebec River are the least safe area within Waterville town.

Property crime rates are nearly four times the Maine state average, with a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim in Waterville.

Even violent crime rates in Waterville are nearly twice the state level.

The crime per square mile in Waterville is 49, which is nearly 25 times the Maine state average.

Bangor (Penobscot County)

• Population –31,921 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 2.00 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 45.42 per 1,000 residents.

Bangor is the third largest city in Maine.

Its nickname is the Queen City of the East, founded as the Kendeskeag Plantation.

Bangor’s property crime statistics are among the state’s largest – with a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a property crime victim in Bangor.

Violent crimes in Bangor occur at about twice the state level.

Violent crime levels in Bangor are about half the national average but approximately twice the state of Maine’s average.

The Bangor Broadway Historic District is among the more dangerous parts of Bangor.

Presque Isle (Aroostook County)

• Population –8,777 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 1.94 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 15.84 per 1,000 residents.

Presque Isle is a small city in northern Maine and the largest city in the county.

It is home to several colleges and the headquarters of the Band of Micmac – a federally recognized native-American tribe.

The property crime rate for those in Presque Isle is 50% higher than Maine’s average, while the violent crime statistics are about 60% above the state crime levels in terms of violent crime.

The Campbell and the Maysville areas of Presque Isle tend to be the least safe in Presque Isle.

Sanford (York County)

• Population –22,135 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 1.81 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 23.09 per 1,000 residents.

Sanford is a city in southern Maine on the Mousam River.

Sanford’s crime statistics tend to fall just above state averages.

For example, the violent crime rate for Sanford visitors and residents is abo 60% above the state average, whereas property crime is a more serious issue, with more than twice the chance of becoming a property crime victim in Sanford than anywhere else in Maine, where theft is more prevalent that burglary.

Houlton (Aroostook County)

• Population – 6,088 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 1.64 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 32.69 per 1,000 residents.

Houlton is a town in northern Maine on the Canadian Border.

Houlton’s claim to fame is that it is the end point of the Interstate 95 system.

Despite its proximity to the border, the violent crime rate in Houlton rises 50% above the state average.

Property crime rates fare worse as they are nearly triple the state average and twice the national median level.

The least safe neighborhood in Houlton in and around Town Center.

Skowhegan (Somerset County)

• Population  8,598 (2021).
• Violent Crime Rate – 1.51 per 1,000 residents.
• Property Crime Rate – 25.70 per 1,000 residents.

Skowhegan is a town in central Maine and home to the nation’s oldest continuously held state fairs.

Violent crime hovers just state levels, although property crime is more prevalent – nearly 2.5 times more often than in other Maine locations.

To be safe, avoid Skowhegan East when traveling alone or at night.

5 Safety Tips for Traveling to Maine 

1. Avoid flashing jewelry or cash needlessly.  

Why tempt fate when in unfamiliar territory – or at all?

Anyone who approaches and demands valuables or money – don’t argue – hand it over and contact the authorities immediately.  

2. Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight in your car.

It is smarter to lock them in a trunk out of sight – but do so before you get to your final destination – where would-be thieves can see your strategy.

If you have an alarm, make sure to engage it.

3. When traveling late at night and needing gas, try to choose a well-lit station.

Many criminals are opportunistic – patiently waiting for the right moment when their target least expects.

4. Maine is subject to some brutal winter weather.

Snowfall averages in Maine differ – depending on if the location is near the coast.

Inland areas receive 60-110 inches of snow on average, whereas coastal areas may see 50-70 inches each year.

5. Take the time to enjoy its favorite iconic food – the lobster roll.

Lobster is caught fresh off the Maine coast.

So, you will see Lobster rolls and other delectable Maine treats being served out of food trucks, pop-up roadside stands, and at most local restaurants.

Traditional lobster rolls are served on a buttered hot dog bun.

Maine Safety Overview

READ THE FULL REPORT: Maine Safety Review

Safety Index:

86

• OVERALL RISK: LOW
• TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
• PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
• NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
• MUGGING RISK: LOW
• TERRORISM RISK: LOW
• SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
• WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW