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D+

Is Bel Air, Maryland Safe?

Population 10,507 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 10,507, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Bel Air earns a D+ with violent crime below the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,877 per 100K.

Bel Air Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBel AirMaryland AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate289.6323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2227.02024.71,832.3
Murder Rate2.0--5.7
Assault Rate207.0--268.2
Theft Rate1877.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate498.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

251.7 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC+

290/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2227/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Bel Air

Violent crime in Bel Air is below the national average. The rate of 289.6 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2227.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,877 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Bel Air Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder2
035% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault207
077% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery44
070% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary396
01.5x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,877
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft498
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Bel Air Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bel Air
289.6
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bel Air
2227.0
State
2024.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bel Air Safety

Is Bel Air safe?
Not especially. Bel Air earns a D+ with a crime rate of 251.7 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Bel Air?
251.7 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 289.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2227.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Bel Air safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Bel Air's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,877 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Bel Air?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Bel Air generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Bel Air police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Bel Air?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Bel Air's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D+ grade overall.
How does Bel Air compare to other cities in Maryland?
Below average for the state. Bel Air ranks behind about 69% of Maryland cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Bel Air 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 Bel Air?
Bad. A D+ grade and 251.7 per-thousand rate put Bel Air below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 290 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Bel Air?
289.6 per 100,000, which is 20% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (207), robbery (44), and murder (2.0) per 100,000.

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View all Maryland 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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