Violent
Property
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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, South Portland, ME has a Safety Score of 59/100 — safer than 59% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,433.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,230 of 2,971 US cities and #13 of 21 in Maine.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is South Portland, Maine Safe?
South Portland, Maine, a coastal city across the harbor from Portland, is home to Bug Light Park, a popular spot for its picturesque lighthouse. Its population of over 26,000 residents reflects a mix of residential areas and commercial districts.
South Portland has a safety score of 59/100 (Near National Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,433.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
South Portland ranks #13 out of 21 cities in Maine and #1230 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 59th percentile for safety — safer than 59% of US cities.
All major crime categories in South Portland are below the national average, with murder particularly low at 0.0x the national rate.
Year over year, South Portland's total crime rate increased by 13.9%, with violent crime declining 40.7%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
South Portland Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 17 | 63.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 2 | 7.4 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 18.6 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 10 | 37.1 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 369 | 1,370.2 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 22 | 81.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 316 | 1,173.4 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 31 | 115.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
South Portland vs Maine Average
How does South Portland's crime rate compare to the Maine state average?
| Metric | South Portland | Maine Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 63.1 | 153.9 | -59.0% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,370.2 | 1,833.6 | -25.3% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 4.0 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,433.3 | 1,987.5 | -27.9% |
South Portland Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for South Portland, Maine.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 26,931 | 1,433.3 | 63.1 | 1,370.2 |
| 2023 | 27,256 | 1,258.4 | 106.4 | 1,152.0 |
| 2022 | 27,445 | 1,971.2 | 156.7 | 1,814.5 |
| 2021 | 26,048 | 1,589.4 | 211.2 | 1,378.2 |
| 2020 | 25,593 | 1,691.9 | 128.9 | 1,562.9 |
| 2019 | 25,686 | 2,378.7 | 186.9 | 2,191.9 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is South Portland, Maine safe?
South Portland has a safety score of 59/100, meaning it has less crime than about 59% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,433.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, South Portland is about average for a US city.
What is the crime rate in South Portland, Maine?
According to FBI data for 2024, South Portland has a violent crime rate of 63.1 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,370.2 per 100,000 residents.
How does South Portland compare to the national average?
South Portland's total crime rate of 1,433.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 26,931 residents.
What types of crime are most common in South Portland?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in South Portland include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is South Portland safe to visit?
Like any city, South Portland has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 59/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.