Is Lewiston or Orono Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Orono is safer than Lewiston (Safety Score 100/100 vs 47/100), with a total crime rate of 150 per 100,000 versus 1,773 for Lewiston — 92% lower. Lewiston has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Orono has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Lewiston is 3.1x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lewiston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Orono — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lewiston, ME
Orono, ME
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lewiston | Orono | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,773.5 | 150.3 | +1,623.2 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 244.5 | 47.5 | +197.1 |
| Murder Rate | 2.6 | 0.0 | +2.6 |
| Rape Rate | 66.9 | 15.8 | +51.1 |
| Robbery Rate | 59.2 | 0.0 | +59.2 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 115.8 | 31.6 | +84.2 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,529.0 | 102.8 | +1,426.1 |
| Burglary Rate | 164.7 | 15.8 | +148.9 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,245.8 | 87.0 | +1,158.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 118.4 | 0.0 | +118.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lewiston or Orono safer?
Orono is safer with a total crime rate of 150 per 100K vs 1,773 for Lewiston — a 92% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lewiston has a violent crime rate of 244.5 per 100K while Orono has 47.5. Orono has lower violent crime.
About Lewiston, ME
Lewiston, Maine, a former mill town on the Androscoggin River, is known for its Franco-American heritage and the Bates College campus. It's Maine's second-largest city by population. With a safety score of 47/100 and a population coverage of 38,850, Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1,773.5 per 100,000 residents.
About Orono, ME
Orono, a small town in Penobscot County, is home to the University of Maine, its largest employer and a significant cultural hub. Situated on the Penobscot River, its tree-lined streets and historic buildings reflect a quiet, academic atmosphere with a population around 11,000. With a safety score of 100/100 and a population coverage of 12,641, Orono has a total crime rate of 150.3 per 100,000 residents.