Located in the northern New England region of the United States, Maine is home to 1.3 million residents. The state is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and shares a border with Canada to the north. The state is known for its jagged coastline, forested interior, and picturesque mountains, with its major industries being fishing, agriculture, and tourism. Maine’s largest city is Portland on the coast and its capital is Augusta. If you’d like to settle in The Pine Tree State, here are the 10 safest cities in Maine.
Related: Check out our Maine Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 128 for violent crime and 1,986 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
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#1 York
Located in York County, the town of York is home to 12,500 residents. The community lies along the southern tip of the state on the Atlantic coast, is a popular summer resort destination, and has some of the highest real estate values in the region. York is the safest place to live in Maine, with a violent crime rate of 15.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here just 1.9%.
#2 Falmouth
A town in Cumberland County, Falmouth is home to 11,100 residents. Considered a suburb of Portland, the community covers 36.3 square miles, and is the site of the Portland Yacht Club adjacent to one of the largest anchorages in the state. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate here is 26.7, and residents of Falmouth have a 1.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
#3 Orono
Located in Penobscot County, the town of Orono has a current population of 10,300 residents. The community was settled in 1774, lies along the banks of the Penobscot River, and is home to the University of Maine. Another safe choice, the violent crime rate in Orono is 28.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.9%.
#4 Scarborough
A town in Cumberland County, Scarborough is home to 18,900 residents. This coastal community is just 7 miles south of Portland, encompasses over 70 square miles, and is the site of the headquarters of Hannaford supermarkets. The violent crime rate here is 52.7, and residents of Scarborough have a 2.6% chance of being affected by property crime.
#5 Kennebunk
Located in York County, the town of Kennebunk is home to 10,700 residents. Also a coastal town, the community was settled in 1621 and is the site of several beaches as well as the Blueberry Barrens, which as 1,500 acres of nature trails. The violent crime rate in Kennebunk is 92, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.4%.
#6 Brunswick
A town in Cumberland County, Brunswick has a current population of 20,200 residents. The community sits on the north end of Casco Bay, has several historic districts and historic properties, and is home to Bowdoin College, a private liberal arts college. The violent crime rate here is 98.3, and residents of Brunswick have a 2.9% chance of being affected by property crime.
#7 Windham
Also located in Cumberland County, the town of Windham is home to 17,000 residents. Considered a suburb of Portland, the community was incorporated in 1762, covers over 50 square miles, and sits adjacent to Sebago Lake. The violent crime rate in Windham is 99.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.9%.
#8 Saco
A town in York County, Saco is home to 18,400 residents. Also considered a suburb of Portland, this coastal community is a popular summer tourist destination, as well as being the site of an amusement park and several large businesses. The violent crime rate here is 129.1, and residents of Saco have a 2.5% chance of being affected by property crime.
#9 Gorham
Located in Cumberland County, the town of Gorham has a current population of 16,300 residents. Considered a bedroom community of nearby Portland, the town has several distinct villages and hamlets and is the site of one of the campuses of the University of Southern Maine. The violent crime rate in Gorham is 133.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.2%.
#10 Westbrook
Another town in Cumberland County, Westbrook is home 17,400 residents. Also a Portland suburb, the community lies along the banks of the Presumpscot River, has several distinct neighborhoods, and hosts several large businesses including IDEXX Laboratories, Inc., Sappi Ltd., and Sebago-Moc. The violent crime rate here is 188, and residents of Westbrook have a 3.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
