Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Portland, ME has a Safety Score of 23/100 — higher crime than 77% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents, ranking #2,274 of 2,971 US cities and #17 of 21 in Maine.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Portland, Maine Safe?
Portland, Maine, a coastal city with a deep maritime history, is the most populous city in the state. Its working waterfront and vibrant arts scene reflect its heritage and modern demographic mix.
Portland has a safety score of 23/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Portland ranks #17 out of 21 cities in Maine and #2274 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 23rd percentile for safety — with higher crime than 77% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Portland is larceny-theft, at 2,177.2 per 100K — 1.3x the national average. Conversely, motor vehicle theft is relatively low at just 0.4x the national rate.
Year over year, Portland's total crime rate increased by 41.6%, with violent crime rising 17%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Portland Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 185 | 266.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 5 | 7.2 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 29 | 41.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 35 | 50.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 116 | 167.4 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 1,718 | 2,478.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 101 | 145.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 1,509 | 2,177.2 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 108 | 155.8 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Portland vs Maine Average
How does Portland's crime rate compare to the Maine state average?
| Metric | Portland | Maine Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 266.9 | 153.9 | +73.4% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,478.7 | 1,833.6 | +35.2% |
| Murder Rate | 7.2 | 4.0 | +79.8% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,745.6 | 1,987.5 | +38.1% |
Portland Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Portland, Maine.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 69,310 | 2,745.6 | 266.9 | 2,478.7 |
| 2023 | 68,390 | 1,938.9 | 228.1 | 1,710.8 |
| 2022 | 68,199 | 1,891.5 | 196.5 | 1,695.0 |
| 2021 | 66,875 | 2,041.1 | 233.3 | 1,807.9 |
| 2020 | 66,229 | 1,920.6 | 194.8 | 1,725.8 |
| 2019 | 66,458 | 2,822.8 | 242.3 | 2,580.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Portland, Maine safe?
Portland has a safety score of 23/100, meaning it has less crime than about 23% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Portland is among the highest-crime US cities.
What is the crime rate in Portland, Maine?
According to FBI data for 2024, Portland has a violent crime rate of 266.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,478.7 per 100,000 residents.
How does Portland compare to the national average?
Portland's total crime rate of 2,745.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 69,310 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Portland?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Portland include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Portland safe to visit?
Like any city, Portland has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 23/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.