Colesville, MD Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Colesville, MD

What is Colesville's overall crime grade?

Colesville, MD receives an overall crime grade of C for 2026, placing it in the middle tier of safety rankings for Montgomery County communities. A C grade means crime levels are neither exceptionally low nor alarmingly high — residents face a moderate risk profile compared to national suburban benchmarks. Property crimes account for the majority of incidents reported in the area, while violent crime rates remain considerably lower. Given Colesville's median household income of $126,063 — well above the national median — and a relatively low poverty rate of 6.6%, the community has strong socioeconomic factors that generally correlate with lower crime, which helps explain why the grade doesn't fall below a C despite being a densely populated suburb at 1,086 residents per square mile.

How does Colesville's crime rate compare to the rest of Maryland?

With an overall grade of C, Colesville sits at roughly the midpoint when stacked against Maryland's diverse mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities. Montgomery County as a whole tends to outperform many Maryland jurisdictions on safety metrics, and Colesville benefits from that county-wide investment in community policing. The area's unemployment rate of 4.5% and poverty rate of 6.6% are both below state and national averages, which research consistently links to reduced crime incidence. That said, Colesville's population density of 1,086 per square mile does create more opportunities for property crimes — particularly vehicle-related theft and package theft — compared to lower-density suburbs in the region.

What types of crime are most common in Colesville?

Property crimes dominate the incident reports in Colesville, consistent with its suburban character and relatively affluent demographic. Theft — including motor vehicle theft, larceny from vehicles, and residential burglary — makes up the largest share of reported incidents. Violent crimes such as assault and robbery are reported at noticeably lower rates, though they are not absent. Drug-related offenses represent a smaller but consistent category in local police data. The neighborhoods closest to major commercial corridors and transit routes, such as those near the Colesville Road corridor, tend to see higher concentrations of property crime incidents, while more residential pockets show lower overall activity. Checking the interactive crime map allows residents to filter by incident type and see exactly where each category clusters.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Colesville?

Within Colesville's boundaries, neighborhoods characterized by lower-density housing, active neighborhood watch participation, and proximity to well-lit public spaces consistently show fewer reported incidents on the crime map. Areas near Sligo Creek Park and the Forest Glen section benefit from strong community cohesion and relatively low foot traffic from non-residents. The neighborhoods around the Broadbirch Drive corridor are also noted for their well-maintained public spaces and organized community associations. By contrast, blocks immediately adjacent to high-traffic commercial zones along Colesville Road tend to record more property crime incidents. Using the crime map's heat-map layer is the most data-driven way to compare block-by-block risk across Colesville's neighborhoods.

Is Colesville safe for families?

For most families, Colesville's C crime grade reflects a livable, manageable safety environment rather than a cause for serious concern. The community's economic profile — a median home value of $463,027, median household income of $126,063, and a poverty rate of only 6.6% — supports the kind of neighborhood stability that families prioritize. Violent crime rates are low relative to the overall incident count, meaning the day-to-day risk most families encounter is primarily around property crime prevention: securing vehicles, using home security systems, and being mindful of package deliveries. Schools, parks, and community programs in the area are well-regarded, and the overall suburban environment is considered family-friendly by Montgomery County standards.

Has crime in Colesville been getting better or worse?

Colesville's 2026 crime grade of C reflects a moderate and relatively stable safety profile. Like many inner-ring suburbs of Washington, D.C., Colesville has seen fluctuations in property crime tied to regional economic shifts and changes in policing strategy. The area's strong economic indicators — low unemployment at 4.5% and a low poverty rate of 6.6% — provide a buffer against the kinds of socioeconomic pressures that tend to drive sustained crime increases. Residents and prospective movers can track year-over-year trends using Montgomery County's official crime data portal, which publishes incident-level data that feeds into maps like the one on this page. Staying engaged with local neighborhood associations and attending community policing meetings is one of the most effective ways to stay ahead of emerging trends in specific blocks or corridors.

What can Colesville residents do to improve their safety grade?

Moving a community's crime grade from a C toward a B typically requires a combination of individual action and collective organizing. On the individual level, securing vehicles (a leading crime category in the area), installing visible home security cameras, and eliminating easy targets like unsecured packages can meaningfully reduce a household's risk exposure. At the community level, active neighborhood watch programs — particularly in higher-density blocks near Colesville Road — have demonstrated measurable reductions in property crime in comparable Montgomery County communities. Reporting suspicious activity promptly to Montgomery County Police and participating in community meetings creates the feedback loop that helps law enforcement allocate patrol resources more effectively. Given Colesville's strong median income of $126,063 and relatively low poverty rate, the community has the resources and social capital to push its overall grade higher with sustained engagement.