Laconia, NH Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Laconia, NH Crime

Is Laconia, NH safe?

By the numbers, Laconia earns an overall crime grade of A-, placing it among the safer small cities in New Hampshire and the broader Northeast. With a population of approximately 16,584 and a population density of just 322 residents per square mile, the city's relatively low density helps limit the concentration of criminal activity that typically drives up crime rates in more urban environments. The A- grade reflects a crime profile that is meaningfully better than the national average across both violent and property crime categories. Residents near the Lake Winnipesaukee waterfront, the Weirs Beach corridor, and the Belknap Mountain area consistently report a strong sense of personal safety, and the downtown district maintains an active, community-oriented atmosphere. While no city achieves a perfect score, Laconia's data-backed A- standing makes it a genuinely safe choice for families, retirees, and newcomers.

What is the crime rate in Laconia, NH?

Laconia's overall crime grade of A- signals that crime rates here fall well below national benchmarks. To put the city's socioeconomic context in perspective: the median household income is $55,814, the unemployment rate is a low 3.7%, and the poverty rate sits at 11.2% — all factors that research consistently links to community safety outcomes. Property crimes such as theft and vehicle break-ins represent the most commonly reported incident types in Laconia, which is typical for a tourism-influenced lakeside community that sees seasonal population surges around Lake Winnipesaukee and events like Motorcycle Week. Violent crime incidents — including assault and domestic disturbances — occur at rates that are low relative to cities of comparable size nationally. The city's combination of stable employment, moderate income levels, and active community policing contributes to its strong A- overall standing.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Laconia, NH?

Laconia's overall A- crime grade reflects favorably across much of the city, but certain areas stand out for their particularly calm safety profiles. Neighborhoods situated along the Lake Winnipesaukee shoreline — including the residential stretches near Weirs Beach and the Paugus Bay waterfront — benefit from low population density and high community visibility. North Laconia's suburban corridors, characterized by single-family homes and proximity to schools and parks, tend to report fewer incidents than the city's more commercially active zones. The Belknap Mountain area offers another low-density residential option with minimal reported criminal activity. Conversely, the downtown core and areas adjacent to major arterial roads see a higher share of the city's property crime reports, largely driven by retail and vehicle-related incidents. Reviewing the interactive crime map above lets you filter by incident type and time period to compare specific blocks within these neighborhoods using the most current data available.

Is Laconia a good place to live in 2026?

The data makes a compelling case. Laconia carries an A- crime grade, a median home value of $202,060, and a median household income of $55,814 — a price-to-income ratio that remains accessible compared to many New England markets. The unemployment rate of 3.7% is tight even by national standards, suggesting a healthy local labor market. Median rent of $991 per month provides a relatively affordable entry point for renters. The poverty rate of 11.2% is a metric the city continues to address through community programs, but it has not translated into elevated crime levels given the A- overall grade. For households prioritizing safety, affordability, and outdoor quality of life — Lake Winnipesaukee, hiking on Belknap Mountain, and a walkable downtown all factor in — Laconia's combination of strong crime metrics and moderate cost of living makes it one of the more well-rounded small-city options in New Hampshire heading into 2026.

What types of crime are most common in Laconia?

Consistent with Laconia's A- overall crime grade, the city's incident profile skews heavily toward lower-severity offenses. Property crimes — including larceny-theft, shoplifting, and motor vehicle break-ins — account for the largest share of reported incidents, a pattern common in lakeside tourist destinations that experience significant seasonal visitor traffic around Lake Winnipesaukee and Weirs Beach. Vandalism and minor disorderly conduct incidents tend to cluster around commercial corridors in the downtown district. Violent crimes, such as simple assault and domestic disturbance calls, represent a much smaller fraction of total incidents and occur at rates that keep Laconia's grade firmly in the A range. Substance-related offenses — historically a concern in parts of New Hampshire — are tracked by the Laconia Police Department and have been the subject of targeted community intervention efforts. The overall takeaway from the data is that serious, predatory crime is rare in Laconia, and the incidents that do occur are predominantly property-related and non-violent.

How does Laconia's crime compare to other New Hampshire cities?

Laconia's A- crime grade positions it favorably within the New Hampshire landscape. The city's socioeconomic indicators — a 3.7% unemployment rate, a median household income of $55,814, and a median home value of $202,060 — are broadly in line with or better than many comparably sized New Hampshire municipalities, and the crime data reflects that stability. Larger New Hampshire cities with higher population densities and greater income inequality tend to carry lower crime grades, making Laconia's A- a meaningful differentiator for prospective residents comparing options across the state. The city's low population density of 322 people per square mile also naturally limits the crime-concentration effects seen in denser urban cores. For a mid-sized Lakes Region city that absorbs substantial seasonal tourism traffic, maintaining an A- overall crime grade is a notable achievement and a strong signal of the community's underlying safety fundamentals.