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C

Is Sanford, Maine Safe?

Population 22,663 · Safer than 36% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Sanford is a smaller community of 22,663 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 211.6 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,142 per 100K.

Sanford Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSanfordMaine AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate233.8248.0363.8
Property Crime Rate1881.91912.81,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate161.0--268.2
Theft Rate1142.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate394.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

211.6 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

234/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1882/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Sanford

Violent crime in Sanford is below the national average. The rate of 233.8 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1881.9 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,142 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Sanford Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault161
060% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary328
01.2x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,142
081% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft394
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Sanford Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sanford
233.8
State
248.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Sanford
1881.9
State
1912.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Sanford Safety

Is Sanford safe?
Not especially. Sanford earns a C with a crime rate of 211.6 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Sanford?
211.6 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 233.8 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1881.9 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Sanford safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Sanford 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 Sanford?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Sanford generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Sanford police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Sanford?
Crime rates have held steady in Sanford, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Sanford compare to other cities in Maine?
Below average for the state. Sanford ranks behind about 67% of Maine cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Sanford to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Sanford?
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 36th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Sanford?
233.8 per 100,000, which is 36% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (161), robbery (37), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Maine

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

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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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