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Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, La Plata, MD has a Safety Score of 41/100 — higher crime than 59% of US cities — with a total crime rate of 1,970.5 per 100,000 residents, ranking #1,747 of 2,971 US cities and #6 of 22 in Maryland.
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is La Plata, Maryland Safe?
La Plata, the county seat of Charles County, is a small town in Southern Maryland. It's home to the College of Southern Maryland and boasts a historic downtown district.
La Plata has a safety score of 41/100 (Higher Crime Than Average). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 1,970.5 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
La Plata ranks #6 out of 22 cities in Maryland and #1747 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 41st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 59% of US cities.
Year over year, La Plata's total crime rate decreased by 7.2%, with violent crime rising 7.2%.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
La Plata Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 24 | 215.9 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 0 | 0.0 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 0 | 0.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 2 | 18.0 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 22 | 198.0 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 195 | 1,754.5 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 26 | 233.9 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 149 | 1,340.7 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 20 | 180.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
La Plata vs Maryland Average
How does La Plata's crime rate compare to the Maryland state average?
| Metric | La Plata | Maryland Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 215.9 | 985.4 | -78.1% |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,754.5 | 3,177.6 | -44.8% |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 18.2 | -100.0% |
| Total Crime Rate | 1,970.5 | 4,163.0 | -52.7% |
La Plata Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for La Plata, Maryland.
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 11,114 | 1,970.5 | 215.9 | 1,754.5 |
| 2023 | 10,924 | 2,123.8 | 201.4 | 1,922.4 |
| 2022 | 10,672 | 1,742.9 | 243.6 | 1,499.3 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is La Plata, Maryland safe?
La Plata has a safety score of 41/100, meaning it has less crime than about 41% of US cities in our FBI dataset. With a total crime rate of 1,970.5 per 100,000 residents in 2024, La Plata is higher-crime than most US cities.
What is the crime rate in La Plata, Maryland?
According to FBI data for 2024, La Plata has a violent crime rate of 215.9 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 1,754.5 per 100,000 residents.
How does La Plata compare to the national average?
La Plata's total crime rate of 1,970.5 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The data covers 11,114 residents.
What types of crime are most common in La Plata?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in La Plata include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is La Plata safe to visit?
Like any city, La Plata has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 41/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.