Safety

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Maine’s crime rate fell 8% in 2023.

Favorable movement since the last available data

Benchmark: Maine’s crime rate will remain 33% or more below the U.S. rate through 2030.

Overview Fig. A

Overview

Maine’s crime rate fell to 12.2 per 1,000 residents in 2023. This was 47% below the national average and third lowest of the 50 states. Violent crimes fell 2.2% despite the mass homicide in Lewiston in October 2023. This is because there were declines in two other categories of crime in that measure—aggravated assault and rape. Property crimes fell 7.6%. Maine’s low crime rates are likely due in part to the age of its population since criminal offenses decline with age.

Crime rates measure physical safety, an important aspect of quality of life. Crime is costly to individuals and impacts communities by depressing property values, discouraging investment, and increasing insurance premiums. The crime rate includes data on larceny, burglary, aggravated assault, motor vehicle theft, rape, robbery, arson, and murder.

Fig. A

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Reported Crimes per 1,000 People

Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation