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C

Is Laurel, Maryland Safe?

Population 30,254 · Safer than 33% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Laurel is a smaller community of 30,254 people with a C safety grade. Crime runs close to the national average for violent offenses, and the overall rate sits at 219.2 per 1,000. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,265 per 100K.

Laurel Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricLaurelMaryland AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate390.1323.9363.8
Property Crime Rate1802.32024.71,832.3
Murder Rate6.0--5.7
Assault Rate253.0--268.2
Theft Rate1265.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate381.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

219.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD+

390/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1802/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Laurel

Violent crime in Laurel is close to the national average. The rate of 390.1 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1802.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,265 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Laurel Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder6
01.1x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault253
094% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery73
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary224
083% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,265
090% of avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft381
01.2x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Laurel Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Laurel
390.1
State
323.9
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Laurel
1802.3
State
2024.7
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Laurel Safety

Is Laurel safe?
Not especially. Laurel earns a C with a crime rate of 219.2 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 Laurel?
219.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 390.1 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1802.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Laurel safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Laurel's C grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,265 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Laurel?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Laurel generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Laurel police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Laurel?
Crime rates have held steady in Laurel, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its C grade.
How does Laurel compare to other cities in Maryland?
Below average for the state. Laurel ranks behind about 65% of Maryland cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.0x the national rate.
How safe is Laurel to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Laurel?
Bad. A C grade and 219.2 per-thousand rate put Laurel below 67% of US cities. Violent crime at 390 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Laurel?
390.1 per 100,000, which is 7% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (253), robbery (73), and murder (6.0) 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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