Safety
Maine’s reported crime rate is among the lowest in the country
No significant movement since the last available data
Benchmark: Maine’s crime rate will remain 33% or more below the U.S. rate through 2030.
Overview
Crime rates are our measure of physical safety, an important aspect of quality of life. Crime is costly to communities because it depresses property values, discourages investment, and increases insurance premiums. The crime rate includes data on larceny, burglary, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, rape, robbery, arson, and murder.
Maine’s crime rate in 2020, 12.6 per 1,000 residents, was 46% below the national rate of 23.6 and the second lowest of the 50 states. This is likely due in part to the age of Maine’s population, since criminal offenses decline with age. Property crime in Maine has dropped 53% since 2010, compared to a 34% decline nationwide, while violent crime dropped 11% in Maine and 1% in the U.S.
Fig. A
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Reported Crimes per 1,000 People
Federal Bureau of Investigation