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C

Is South Portland, Maine Safe?

Population 27,007 · Safer than 37% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

South Portland is a smaller community of 27,007 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs well below the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 210.1 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,259 per 100K.

South Portland Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricSouth PortlandMaine AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate204.6248.0363.8
Property Crime Rate1896.01912.81,832.3
Murder Rate4.0--5.7
Assault Rate156.0--268.2
Theft Rate1259.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate328.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

210.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

205/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1896/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for South Portland

Violent crime in South Portland is well below the national average. The rate of 204.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1896.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,259 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

South Portland Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder4
070% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault156
058% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery46
073% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary355
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,259
090% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft328
01.0x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How South Portland Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Portland
204.6
State
248.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

South Portland
1896.0
State
1912.8
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About South Portland Safety

Is South Portland safe?
Not especially. South Portland earns a C with a crime rate of 210.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs well below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in South Portland?
210.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 204.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1896.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is South Portland safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. South Portland 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 South Portland?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in South Portland generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the South Portland police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in South Portland?
Crime rates have held steady in South Portland, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does South Portland compare to other cities in Maine?
Below average for the state. South Portland ranks behind about 71% of Maine cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is South Portland to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is well below the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in South Portland?
Mixed. Violent crime is well 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 37th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in South Portland?
204.6 per 100,000, which is 44% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (156), robbery (46), and murder (4.0) per 100,000.

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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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