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C+

Is Saco, Maine Safe?

Population 21,159 · Safer than 47% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

Saco is a smaller community of 21,159 people with a C+ safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 186.8 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 997 per 100K.

Saco Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSacoMaine AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate245.5248.0363.8
Property Crime Rate1622.51912.81,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate168.0--268.2
Theft Rate997.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate275.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyC+

186.8 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

246/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC+

1623/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Saco

Violent crime in Saco is below the national average. The rate of 245.5 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1622.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 997 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Saco Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault168
063% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery52
082% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary233
086% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft997
071% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft275
086% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Saco Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Saco
245.5
State
248.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Saco
1622.5
State
1912.8
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Saco Safety

Is Saco safe?
It depends on where in Saco you are. The city gets a C+ overall, with violent crime below the national average and property crime close to the national average. Some areas are safer than others.
What is the crime rate in Saco?
186.8 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 245.5 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1622.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Saco safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Saco has a C+ grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Saco?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Saco generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Saco police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Saco?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Saco's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C+ grade overall.
How does Saco compare to other cities in Maine?
Middle of the pack for Maine. Saco isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 56th percentile among Maine cities.
How safe is Saco to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Saco?
Mixed. Violent crime is below the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 47th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Saco?
245.5 per 100,000, which is 33% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (168), robbery (52), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Maine

Similar-sized communities in Maine. Compare crime rates across the state.

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See crime rates in Westbrook21,565 pop · Grade C+
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See crime rates in Sanford22,663 pop · Grade C
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See crime rates in Waterville17,579 pop · Grade C-
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See crime rates in Auburn25,441 pop · Grade D+
View all Maine city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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