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D+

Is Bowie, Maryland Safe?

Population 58,383 · Safer than 23% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

A D+ grade for Bowie means there's room for concern. The 245.4 per-thousand crime rate and violent crime below the national average tell the story. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,604 per 100K.

Bowie Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBowieMaryland AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate239.1323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2215.22024.71,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate154.0--268.2
Theft Rate1604.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate505.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

245.4 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeB-

239/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2215/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Bowie

Violent crime in Bowie is below the national average. The rate of 239.1 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2215.2 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,604 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Bowie Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault154
057% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery37
058% of avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary253
094% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,604
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft505
01.6x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Bowie Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bowie
239.1
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Bowie
2215.2
State
2024.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Bowie Safety

Is Bowie safe?
Not especially. Bowie earns a D+ with a crime rate of 245.4 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs below the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Bowie?
245.4 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 239.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2215.2 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Bowie safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Bowie's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,604 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Bowie?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Bowie generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Bowie police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Bowie?
No. Crime in Bowie has been trending down, which is good news for the D+-rated city.
How does Bowie compare to other cities in Maryland?
Below average for the state. Bowie ranks behind about 81% of Maryland cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Bowie to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is below the national average, which is encouraging. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Bowie?
Bad. A D+ grade and 245.4 per-thousand rate put Bowie below 77% of US cities. Violent crime at 239 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Bowie?
239.1 per 100,000, which is 34% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (154), robbery (37), and murder (5.0) 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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