The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Maine

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Maine For 2025

Augusta is one of the least populous state capitals in the United States, with a population of 19,164. It is home to the University of Maine at Augusta, the Blaine House, Fort Western, and the Viles Arboretum. Since the early 2000s, the downtown district has undergone revitalization to bring back business.

Behind the rich history, culture, and art scene, there is a darker side. Augusta residents experience higher levels of robbery, assault, violent crime, burglary, and car thefts at a rate that is significantly higher than Maine’s average. These crimes, however, occur less frequently than the national average. The number of larceny and property crimes in Augusta surpass the US average. As dangerous as this capital city is, it isn’t surprising that the city’s population has been slowly shrinking since 2009.

Portland, Maine is vastly different from its west coast name doppelganger, Portland, Oregon. Portland is the most populous city in Maine with its metropolitan area being home to roughly a third of Maine’s total population.

The city is a popular tourist destination. Popular attractions include the Old Port District and the Portland Head Light. The heavily populated city offers residents and tourists all the economic, cultural, entertainment, arts, and foodie amenities of a big city.

Like a big city, it is rife with crime. Portland has an overall crime rate of 2,745/100k and a property rate of 2,478/100k which is higher than the national average. If you’re in Portland, keep an eye on your belongings as the property crime rates here are higher than the state and national averages.

The coastal community of Biddeford is home to the University of New England and it hosts the annual La Kermesse Franco-Americaine Festival. It was settled by Europeans in 1616, making it one of the oldest European settlements in the United States. It now boasts a population of 22,310 and is the county’s commercial center.

An increase in population tends to increase the crime rate. This correlation is no exception in Biddeford where its crimes propel it slightly above the national crime rate, and significantly higher than Maine’s average crime rate.

Though its violent crime rate is below the national average, its 70 violent crimes is above the average rate for Maine. Similar to Houghton, the majority of Biddeford’s property crimes come in the form of larceny.

Bangor has a lot going for it. You have a casino. You have museums. You have a 30-foot statue of Paul Bunyan. What more could you need?

A lock on your door, that’s for sure.

In many states, Bangor would count as a small town, given that it only has 31,598 residents. However, in Maine, that makes it the number 3.0 biggest city in the state. As such, the 27 car thefts and 16 robberies in a year become a massive crime wave.

Auburn used to be big in the shoe business. About a hundred years ago, a single factory in town manufactured three-quarters of the all the white canvas shoes sold in the world.

These days, this town in southern Maine has a reputation based on something besides making footwear that’s hard to keep clean. In fact, the last century has seen a major shift in the community’s claim to fame. These days, Auburn has to contend with its ranking as the number 5 most dangerous spot in Maine. In an area with just 25,038 people, the city suffers 54 violent crimes in a year.

Ellsworth, the sixth most dangerous place to live in Maine, has a concerning crime rate. With a population of 8,812, this city in Hancock County experienced 18 violent crimes, including 8 rapes and 0 robberies. The property crime rate is also high, with 207 incidents reported.

While Ellsworth’s location near Acadia National Park and its historical significance make it appealing, addressing the crime issue is crucial for residents’ well-being.

This city in northern Maine features all the things a family will love: jobs, arts, culture, a rich food scene, colleges. This small city offers the perfect balance of amenities you’d find in a big city including three colleges, The Aroostook Centre Mall, and the Northern Maine Regional Airport, and the quaint, intimacy of a small town complete with a fairground. While Presque Isle, the largest city in the county has a low unemployment rate and low rent, it has a poverty rate that is quite a bit above average.

Presque Isle has a violent crime rate that is higher than the Maine average, but less than the national average. Residents of Presque Isle have a higher risk of being a victim of car theft, larceny, burglary, and property crime thanks to higher averages of those crimes relative to the US and Maine averages.

Promising excellent schools, open recreational spaces, and excellent job opportunities, Sanford ‘s crime rate has put a damper on its potential as a great place to live. While Sanford, Maine is one of the state’s newest cities, it isn’t off to a good start as it is again ranked as one of the most dangerous cities in Maine in its brief existence.

With 622 crimes, Sanford has the dubious distinction of ranking among the top in the state for burglary, property crime, and total crime. The most common crime in Sanford is property crime which has occurred 587 times.

The city of Skowhegan is just over an hour drive west of Bangor Maine. This smaller community is a haven for budding and experienced artists who attend internationally-renowned Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture. Residents are also treated to the annual Skowhegan State Fair, the oldest state fair in the United States.

Skowhegan, however, has a problem with crime, with an above average number of crimes committed per 100,000 people. Of its crimes, property crime is the most prevalent with 323 cases in last reporting year.

If you’re thinking of getting a place for your art studio, be sure you keep your artwork stored safely inside.

Once again, the city of Waterville is one of the most dangerous cities in Maine, though its population has been gradually increasing since 2011. A significant amount of its residents make less than $10,000 per year, but a larger percentage holds a doctorate degree than the average US city.

Waterville has one of the highest property crime rates in the state of Maine with 3,023/100k. Waterville’s car theft, larceny, burglary, aggravated assault, violent crime and robbery rates all surpass the state’s average.

Also, another interesting fact about Waterford is that there are women than men with a 53/46% split. This imbalance is greater than the state and national averages. If you’re looking for a girl, but don’t mind putting yourself in harm’s way, Waterville may be the place for you.

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