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D

Is Gaithersburg, Maryland Safe?

Population 71,113 · Safer than 15% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate close to the national average, Gaithersburg faces real safety challenges. It earns a D grade and ranks below 85% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,815 per 100K.

Gaithersburg Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricGaithersburgMaryland AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate340.7323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate2378.02024.71,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate271.0--268.2
Theft Rate1815.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate544.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD

271.9 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

341/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2378/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Gaithersburg

Violent crime in Gaithersburg is close to the national average. The rate of 340.7 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2378.0 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,815 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Gaithersburg Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault271
01.0x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery64
01.0x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary435
01.6x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,815
01.3x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft544
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Gaithersburg Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gaithersburg
340.7
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Gaithersburg
2378.0
State
2024.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Gaithersburg Safety

Is Gaithersburg safe?
Not especially. Gaithersburg earns a D with a crime rate of 271.9 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Gaithersburg?
271.9 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 340.7 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2378.0 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Gaithersburg safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Gaithersburg's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,815 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Gaithersburg?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Gaithersburg generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Gaithersburg police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Gaithersburg?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Gaithersburg's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a D grade overall.
How does Gaithersburg compare to other cities in Maryland?
Below average for the state. Gaithersburg ranks behind about 81% of Maryland cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Gaithersburg to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Gaithersburg?
Bad. A D grade and 271.9 per-thousand rate put Gaithersburg below 85% of US cities. Violent crime at 341 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Gaithersburg?
340.7 per 100,000, which is 6% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (271), robbery (64), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Maryland

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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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