Violent
Property
Total
Sanford, ME Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 22,345
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Sanford, Maine Safe?
Sanford has a safety score of 49/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,783.6 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Sanford ranks #18 out of 21 cities in Maine and #2292 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 Sanford is rape, at 80.6 per 100K — 1.9x the national average. Conversely, murder is relatively low at just 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, Sanford's total crime rate increased by 2%, with violent crime declining 14.4%.
Sanford Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 35 | 156.6 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 18 | 80.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 1 | 4.5 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 16 | 71.6 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 587 | 2,627.0 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 34 | 152.2 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 525 | 2,349.5 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 28 | 125.3 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Sanford vs Maine Average
How does Sanford's crime rate compare to the Maine state average?
| Metric | Sanford | Maine Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 156.6 | 153.9 | +1.8% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,627.0 | 1,833.6 | +43.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,783.6 | 1,987.5 | +40.1% |
Sanford Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Sanford, Maine.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22,345 | 2,783.6 | 156.6 | 2,627.0 |
| 2023 | 22,416 | 2,730.2 | 182.9 | 2,547.3 |
| 2022 | 22,315 | 2,599.2 | 201.7 | 2,397.5 |
| 2021 | 21,300 | 2,586.9 | 187.8 | 2,399.1 |
| 2020 | 21,272 | 2,820.6 | 164.5 | 2,656.1 |
| 2019 | 21,233 | 2,915.3 | 193.1 | 2,722.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sanford, Maine safe?
Sanford has a safety score of 49/100. With a total crime rate of 2,783.6 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Sanford is about average compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Sanford, Maine?
According to FBI data for 2024, Sanford has a violent crime rate of 156.6 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,627.0 per 100,000 residents.
How does Sanford compare to the national average?
Sanford's total crime rate of 2,783.6 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 22,345.
What types of crime are most common in Sanford?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Sanford include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Sanford safe to visit?
Like any city, Sanford has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 49/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.