At Only in Maine, we like to focus on the beauty and love that exists within our state, but we also want to give you the full picture, which is why today, we’re sharing the most dangerous places in Maine. It’s not hard to find terrific things to write about on a daily basis. But, telling the whole story is just as important as making sure we remember all the good. As wonderful as Maine is, it’s not without its faults. Like every single state in the country, we have our good spots and our…less than good spots.
We’ve compiled a list of the most dangerous places in Maine, where you might want to be a bit more careful. But, before we get into that, we have to provide a disclaimer: Before we identify these cities as dangerous, we like to remember that a few months ago, the city considered our most “dangerous” was hailed as one of the safest places in America to live. So, take everything you read with a grain of salt! Also, while we’ve created a numbered list, these cities are not ranked. Because we are listing the #1 city in each category, they should all be looked at independently. View our 2014 FBI source data.
- Burglary: Portland, Cumberland County
coreytempleton / Flickr With 246 reported cases, Portland comes in #1 on the list of the most dangerous places in Maine yet again. Next on the list is Lewiston with 220 and Bangor with 182. But, from a per capita perspective the #1 spot goes to Rumford, followed by Skowhegan and then Bridgton.
Read more about Portland, Maine. Portland, ME, USA
- Murder and Non-Negligent Manslaughter: .Saco, York County
sensibleabode / Flickr Saco is, by all means, a lovely town. However, the town of almost 19,000 people ranks #1 in, what the FBI refers to as “Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter.” The actual number of reported incidents were 4. It’s worth noting that when we calculated the rank using per capita numbers, Gouldsboro actually ranked first (at 57 per capita), followed by Wilton (at 25 per capita) and then Saco (at 21 per capita).
There are definitely some great aspects about Saco, Maine, though. With plenty of charm, as long as you’re careful you will be able to have a nice time. One example is the classic drive-in theater in Saco. Saco, ME, USA
- Rape: Lewiston, Androscoggin County
Sam T / Flickr With 21 cases, Lewiston comes in #1 for highest number of reported rapes. However, when looked at from a per capita perspective, places with smaller populations such as Carrabassett Valley, Farmington and Waterville actually rise to the top.
Lewiston does have some beautiful nature though. Check out a beautiful river hike in Lewiston, Maine. Lewiston, ME, USA
- Robbery: Portland, Cumberland County
grahamvphoto / Flickr When it comes to robbery, Portland ranks highest in terms of actual incidents - a whopping 64. The number may sound small for a city, but second on the list is Lewiston at about HALF that number - 31. From a per capita perspective, Portland actually comes in second. Augusta takes the #1 spot with 123 robberies reported per 100,000 people.
Learn more about Cumberland County, Maine. Portland, ME, USA
- Motor Vehicle Theft: Skowhegan, Somerset County
David Wison / Flickr Skowhegan earns its place on this list for coming in at over 4,000 cases per capita. Also in the top three for highest reported cases of motor vehicle theft per capita are Presque Isle and Bridgton.
Even though it can be dangerous in certain parts, there is a lot of fun to be had if you like haunted lore. The town is supposedly haunted, and you can learn more about Skowhegan and its hauntings. Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA
- Larceny Theft: Portland (Cumberland County) / Bangor (Penobscot County)
Lawrence Whittemore / Flickr Portland and Bangor come in almost tied when it comes to larceny theft on the list of dangerous places to avoid in Maine. Both had over 1,400 reported cases. Truth be told, Portland actually had more than that, but Bangor ranked high both in actual reported cases and from a per capita perspective. Again, looking at the reported cases per capita, #1, 2 and 3 were Augusta, Skowhegan and Bangor. Portland, ME, USA
- Arson: Augusta, Kennebec County
michelgagnon / Flickr With 48 reported cases per capita, Augusta rules this list. #2 and 3 on the list per capita are Rockland and Bath. But, from an actual reported cases perspective, unsurprisingly, Portland is #1 with 13 actual reported cases.
Read more about Augusta, Maine and other historic landmarks. Augusta, ME 04330, USA
- Aggravated Assault: Portland, Cumberland County
coreytempleton / Flickr With 73 cases reported, Portland ranks #1 in terms of aggravated assault. A close second is Biddeford with 70 reported cases. From a per capita perspective, Biddeford, Machias and Dover-Foxcroft take spots #1, #2 and #2 respectively.
Check out more information about Portland, Maine.
Now, an overall summary: Portland, ME, USA
- Overall Violent Crime: Portland, Cumberland County
coreytempleton / Flickr Portland makes the list of the most dangerous places in Maine again at #9. It comes in at #1 when we look at all violent crime reported. The FBI includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault in this category. Per capita, Portland saw 158 reported cases of violent crime. That’s almost 50 more than Biddeford, which comes in at #2. Portland, ME, USA
- Overall Property Crime: Augusta, Kennebec County
Sam T / Flickr Augusta comes in at #1 when looking at overall property crime. The FBI includes burglary, larceny theft, motor vehicle theft and arson in this category. Per capita, August saw more than 5,800 reported cases of property crime. #2 on the list is Skowhegan at about 5,500 and #2 is Bangor at about 5,100. Augusta, ME 04330, USA
But, don’t let this get you down. Remember that the combined violent and property crime rate in Maine is 127.8 per 100,000 residents – second only to Vermont (99.3 crimes per 100,000). The nationwide average is 375.5 crimes per 100,000 people, so even the most dangerous places to avoid in Maine aren’t so bad!
coreytempleton / Flickr
With 246 reported cases, Portland comes in #1 on the list of the most dangerous places in Maine yet again. Next on the list is Lewiston with 220 and Bangor with 182. But, from a per capita perspective the #1 spot goes to Rumford, followed by Skowhegan and then Bridgton.
Read more about Portland, Maine.
Portland, ME, USA
sensibleabode / Flickr
Saco is, by all means, a lovely town. However, the town of almost 19,000 people ranks #1 in, what the FBI refers to as “Murder and Non-negligent Manslaughter.” The actual number of reported incidents were 4. It’s worth noting that when we calculated the rank using per capita numbers, Gouldsboro actually ranked first (at 57 per capita), followed by Wilton (at 25 per capita) and then Saco (at 21 per capita).
There are definitely some great aspects about Saco, Maine, though. With plenty of charm, as long as you’re careful you will be able to have a nice time. One example is the classic drive-in theater in Saco.
Saco, ME, USA
Sam T / Flickr
With 21 cases, Lewiston comes in #1 for highest number of reported rapes. However, when looked at from a per capita perspective, places with smaller populations such as Carrabassett Valley, Farmington and Waterville actually rise to the top.
Lewiston does have some beautiful nature though. Check out a beautiful river hike in Lewiston, Maine.
Lewiston, ME, USA
grahamvphoto / Flickr
When it comes to robbery, Portland ranks highest in terms of actual incidents - a whopping 64. The number may sound small for a city, but second on the list is Lewiston at about HALF that number - 31. From a per capita perspective, Portland actually comes in second. Augusta takes the #1 spot with 123 robberies reported per 100,000 people.
Learn more about Cumberland County, Maine.
David Wison / Flickr
Skowhegan earns its place on this list for coming in at over 4,000 cases per capita. Also in the top three for highest reported cases of motor vehicle theft per capita are Presque Isle and Bridgton.
Even though it can be dangerous in certain parts, there is a lot of fun to be had if you like haunted lore. The town is supposedly haunted, and you can learn more about Skowhegan and its hauntings.
Skowhegan, ME 04976, USA
Lawrence Whittemore / Flickr
Portland and Bangor come in almost tied when it comes to larceny theft on the list of dangerous places to avoid in Maine. Both had over 1,400 reported cases. Truth be told, Portland actually had more than that, but Bangor ranked high both in actual reported cases and from a per capita perspective. Again, looking at the reported cases per capita, #1, 2 and 3 were Augusta, Skowhegan and Bangor.
michelgagnon / Flickr
With 48 reported cases per capita, Augusta rules this list. #2 and 3 on the list per capita are Rockland and Bath. But, from an actual reported cases perspective, unsurprisingly, Portland is #1 with 13 actual reported cases.
Read more about Augusta, Maine and other historic landmarks.
Augusta, ME 04330, USA
With 73 cases reported, Portland ranks #1 in terms of aggravated assault. A close second is Biddeford with 70 reported cases. From a per capita perspective, Biddeford, Machias and Dover-Foxcroft take spots #1, #2 and #2 respectively.
Check out more information about Portland, Maine.
Now, an overall summary:
Portland makes the list of the most dangerous places in Maine again at #9. It comes in at #1 when we look at all violent crime reported. The FBI includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery and aggravated assault in this category. Per capita, Portland saw 158 reported cases of violent crime. That’s almost 50 more than Biddeford, which comes in at #2.
Augusta comes in at #1 when looking at overall property crime. The FBI includes burglary, larceny theft, motor vehicle theft and arson in this category. Per capita, August saw more than 5,800 reported cases of property crime. #2 on the list is Skowhegan at about 5,500 and #2 is Bangor at about 5,100.
Not interested in all this crime news? Read this list of Maine’s safest and most peaceful places to live!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Places in Maine May 16, 2022 Danielle Schwartz What is the most scenic town in Maine? There are so many scenic towns in Maine that it may seem to be a challenge to choose just one. With all the small towns available to explore, you’ll have a new favorite every time you take a day trip! Some of the prettiest small towns around include Searsport, where you can find idyllic Moose Point State Park, and Rockport in Knox County, home to some of the most beautiful fall foliage around. What is the smallest town in Maine? This is the perfect state to explore if you are a fan of little towns. Among the tiny towns in Maine you’ll love are lots of hidden gems that many people don’t even know exist. The smallest town in Maine by population is Beddington in Washington County. At the time of the 2020 census, there were only 60 citizens who lived there full-time! It’s a fun quick trip because you get to see the whole town in one day. That’s a unique day you can’t have anywhere else in the state! What is the oldest town in Maine? The oldest town in Maine is Kittery, and it has quite an interesting history. it was settled way back in 1623, and was incorporated in 1647. It’s right next to New Hampshire and is a fantastic place for visitors to spend some time. You’ll get to learn all about the history of this special place while you enjoy beautiful water views! Kittery is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, so if you love hiking, make your way to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge for some peaceful communing with nature.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Most Dangerous Places in Maine
May 16, 2022
Danielle Schwartz
What is the most scenic town in Maine? There are so many scenic towns in Maine that it may seem to be a challenge to choose just one. With all the small towns available to explore, you’ll have a new favorite every time you take a day trip! Some of the prettiest small towns around include Searsport, where you can find idyllic Moose Point State Park, and Rockport in Knox County, home to some of the most beautiful fall foliage around. What is the smallest town in Maine? This is the perfect state to explore if you are a fan of little towns. Among the tiny towns in Maine you’ll love are lots of hidden gems that many people don’t even know exist. The smallest town in Maine by population is Beddington in Washington County. At the time of the 2020 census, there were only 60 citizens who lived there full-time! It’s a fun quick trip because you get to see the whole town in one day. That’s a unique day you can’t have anywhere else in the state! What is the oldest town in Maine? The oldest town in Maine is Kittery, and it has quite an interesting history. it was settled way back in 1623, and was incorporated in 1647. It’s right next to New Hampshire and is a fantastic place for visitors to spend some time. You’ll get to learn all about the history of this special place while you enjoy beautiful water views! Kittery is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, so if you love hiking, make your way to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge for some peaceful communing with nature.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
There are so many scenic towns in Maine that it may seem to be a challenge to choose just one. With all the small towns available to explore, you’ll have a new favorite every time you take a day trip! Some of the prettiest small towns around include Searsport, where you can find idyllic Moose Point State Park, and Rockport in Knox County, home to some of the most beautiful fall foliage around.
What is the smallest town in Maine?
This is the perfect state to explore if you are a fan of little towns. Among the tiny towns in Maine you’ll love are lots of hidden gems that many people don’t even know exist. The smallest town in Maine by population is Beddington in Washington County. At the time of the 2020 census, there were only 60 citizens who lived there full-time! It’s a fun quick trip because you get to see the whole town in one day. That’s a unique day you can’t have anywhere else in the state!
What is the oldest town in Maine?
The oldest town in Maine is Kittery, and it has quite an interesting history. it was settled way back in 1623, and was incorporated in 1647. It’s right next to New Hampshire and is a fantastic place for visitors to spend some time. You’ll get to learn all about the history of this special place while you enjoy beautiful water views! Kittery is also a great place for outdoor enthusiasts, so if you love hiking, make your way to the Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge for some peaceful communing with nature.
