10 Maryland Cities Ranked as Safest in the State

Maryland is a Mid-Atlantic state known for its abundant waterways and coastlines on the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. It is also the birthplace of the national anthem and has one of the largest trading ports in the United States.

Founded in 1632, Maryland is filled with rich history and gorgeous seascapes, as well as bustling big city lifestyles. For many, whether simply visiting or establishing residency in Maryland, safety amongst cities is a top priority for individuals and their families.

Marylanders tend to worry about property crime and package theft more so than violent crimes. Nevertheless, it’s always best to know which cities are the safest in your state.

Maryland’s 10 Safest Cities

Even safe cities have an off-year. These are the top 10 cities in Maryland that have reported the least amount of crime per capita, as gleaned from Maryland public records. When traveling it’s always best to keep safety in mind, whether your destination is familiar or unknown.

1.  Ocean Pines

Ocean Pines is a residential community located in Worcester County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The quaint community began in 1968 as a small resort but is now the largest residential community in the county. Presently, the violent crime rate fell to under 1 per 1,000 people. Property crime is higher but is still at an extremely low rate of 5.9 per 1,000 people.

2.  Hampstead

Located in Carroll County, Hampstead is a quiet town of about 7,000 residents. Hampstead is a mix of city life and rural surroundings, making it a perfect place to raise a family. Hampstead School was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2002. Violent crime in Hampstead sits at a low rate of 1.1 per 1,000 people, however, property crime is a little higher at a rate of 4.8 per 1,000 people.

3.  Glenarden

Glenarden is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Prince George County and is a quick 40-minute drive from Washington DC. Full of rich and diverse historical and cultural heritage, Glenarden’s roots trace back to 1919. Property crime is currently at a rate of 8.7 per 1,000 people. Violent crime, however, has decreased to a low rate of 0.6 per 1,000 people.

4. Centreville

With a recorded violent crime rate of less than 1 per 1,000 people, Centreville is another Maryland city that leans on the quiet side. This charming and historic town is located in Queen Anne’s County near the Corsica River and features old buildings that are full of character. Property crime for Centreville is roughly 8 per 1,000 people.

5.  Mount Airy

Mount Airy is nestled in between Carroll and Frederick County and is known for its lively downtown area. The violent crime rate is the lowest on this list, at about 0.5 per 1,000 people, with property crime at a rate of 12.1 per 1,000 people. Mount Airy features scenic spots such as wineries, farms, and more.

6.  Berlin

In 2014, Berlin was named The Coolest Small Town in America by Budget Travel. This Worcester County town has a violent crime rate of only 0.6 per 1,000 people, and a property crime rate of 13.8 per 1,000 people. Berlin’s Main Street boasts over 60 retail shops, galleries, coffee shops, butchers, and local seafood markets.

7.  Thurmont

This picturesque mountain town is located in Frederick County and features a generous amount of hiking spots in the surrounding area. The violent crime rate sits below 2.2 per 1,000 people and has a property crime rate of 6.2 per 1,000 people. Situated only 10 miles from the Pennsylvania border, Thurmont is the perfect place to raise a family.

8.  Taneytown

Taneytown was founded in 1754 and is known historically for a few notable prior inhabitants. The most famous of those is undoubtedly the author of the Star-Spangled Banner, Francis Scott Key. This Carroll County town has a violent crime rate of 1.9 per 1,000 people, and a property crime rate of 9.4 per 1,000 people.

9.  Bowie

The largest municipality in Prince George’s County is none other than Bowie. With numerous parks and lakes around town, one can enjoy the scenery of Bowie while feeling relatively safe. The violent crime rate is currently at 1 per 1,000 people. However, property crime ranks the highest here, at a rate of 15.2 per 1,000 people.

10.  Havre de Grace

Havre de Grace is a waterside town that is full of beauty, and there’s no better place in Maryland to enjoy a beautiful stroll during sunset. With a violent crime rate of 2.6 per 1,000 people and a property crime rate of 11.9 per 1,000 people, this tranquil town will give you the peace of mind you crave.

As of 2021, 90% of cities reported fewer than 50 violent crime incidents each, with 60% reporting in the single digits. Maryland’s crime rates have continued to drop over the last decade. Any of the cities listed above are safe places to reside and collectively help make Maryland quite the sought-after state!