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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Bel Air, MD has a Safety Score of 34/100 — higher crime than 66% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 2,245.3 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,961 of 2,971 US cities and #8 of 22 in Maryland.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Bel Air, Maryland Safe?
Bel Air, Maryland, the county seat of Harford County, is a suburban community with a rich history, once serving as a stop on the Underground Railroad. Located north of Baltimore, its population is primarily composed of families and professionals.
Bel Air has a safety score of 34/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 2,245.3 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Bel Air ranks #8 out of 22 cities in Maryland and #1961 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 34th percentile for safety — with higher crime than 66% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Bel Air is murder, at 9.6 per 100K — 1.5x the national average. Conversely, rape is relatively low at just 0.2x the national rate.
Year over year, Bel Air's total crime rate decreased by 7.5%, with violent crime rising 26.5%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Bel Air Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 25 | 239.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 1 | 9.6 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 1 | 9.6 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 3 | 28.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 20 | 191.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 209 | 2,005.4 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 10 | 96.0 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 190 | 1,823.1 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 9 | 86.4 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Bel Air vs Maryland Average
How does Bel Air's crime rate compare to the Maryland state average?
| Metric | Bel Air | Maryland Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 239.9 | 985.4 | -75.7% |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,005.4 | 3,177.6 | -36.9% |
| Murder Rate | 9.6 | 18.2 | -47.1% |
| Total Crime Rate | 2,245.3 | 4,163.0 | -46.1% |
Bel Air Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Bel Air, Maryland.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 10,422 | 2,245.3 | 239.9 | 2,005.4 |
| 2023 | 10,545 | 2,427.7 | 189.7 | 2,238.0 |
| 2022 | 10,675 | 2,688.5 | 178.0 | 2,510.5 |
| 2020 | 10,116 | 1,571.8 | 187.8 | 1,384.0 |
| 2019 | 10,031 | 1,953.9 | 209.4 | 1,744.6 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bel Air, Maryland safe?
Bel Air has a safety score of 34/100, meaning it has less crime than about 34% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 2,245.3 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Bel Air is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in Bel Air, Maryland?
According to FBI data for 2024, Bel Air has a violent crime rate of 239.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 2,005.4 per 100,000 residents.
How does Bel Air compare to the national average?
Bel Air's total crime rate of 2,245.3 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 10,422 residents.
What types of crime are most common in Bel Air?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Bel Air include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Bel Air safe to visit?
Like any city, Bel Air has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 34/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.