South Portland, ME Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in South Portland, ME

Is South Portland, ME safe to live in?

South Portland earns an overall crime grade of B+ and a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A) — one of the strongest safety profiles among Maine cities of comparable size. Of the 17 neighborhoods analyzed, 94.1% received a Grade A and the remaining 5.9% received a Grade B. That means 100% of neighborhoods fall into the safe category (A or B combined), with zero neighborhoods graded C, D, or F. For a city of 25,665 residents, that distribution is exceptionally consistent. Neighborhoods like Loveitt's Field, Meetinghouse Hill, and Stanwood Park all hold A+ grades, the highest possible rating, while areas such as Ferry Village and Breakwater maintain solid Grade A standings.

What percentage of South Portland neighborhoods are considered safe?

100% of South Portland's 17 analyzed neighborhoods are classified as safe. Specifically, 16 neighborhoods (94.1%) earned a Grade A — the top tier — and 1 neighborhood (5.9%) earned a Grade B. No neighborhoods in South Portland were graded C, D, or F. The A+ neighborhoods alone account for a significant share of the population: Meetinghouse Hill (pop. 2,510), Highland (pop. 2,610), and Stanwood Park (pop. 1,509) are among the largest A+ communities, meaning the majority of South Portland residents live in the highest-rated safety zones. Even neighborhoods sometimes perceived as having higher activity — such as Meadowbrook, Ligonia, Cash Corner, Thornton Heights, and Pleasantdale — all hold Grade A ratings.

Which neighborhoods in South Portland have the highest safety grades?

Six neighborhoods in South Portland hold the coveted A+ safety grade, the highest designation on the scale. Here's how they break down by population and median income:

• Loveitt's Field — A+, population 171, median income $94,886
• Meetinghouse Hill — A+, population 2,510, median income $90,812
• Stanwood Park — A+, population 1,509, median income $105,588 (highest in the city)
• Ocean Street — A+, population 1,700, median income $86,397
• Willard — A+, population 1,950, median income $77,144
• Country Gardens — A+, population 764, median income $80,783
• Highland — A+, population 2,610, median income $92,770

Notably, all seven A+ neighborhoods have median household incomes above the city-wide median of $67,198, suggesting a strong correlation between economic stability and safety outcomes in South Portland.

Are there any higher-crime neighborhoods in South Portland?

South Portland's data shows no truly high-crime neighborhoods by any standard measure. The areas sometimes flagged for relatively higher activity — Meadowbrook, Ligonia, Cash Corner, Thornton Heights, and Pleasantdale — all carry Grade A safety ratings. The one neighborhood graded B (5.9% of analyzed areas) still represents a safe environment; a B grade indicates crime levels that are below average nationally, not a cause for alarm. For context, the city's poverty rate of 6.9% and unemployment rate of 4.8% are both relatively low, which supports the broadly safe conditions seen across all neighborhoods.

How does South Portland's crime profile compare to its economic indicators?

South Portland's safety data aligns closely with its economic fundamentals. The city's median household income of $67,198, median home value of $278,151, and median rent of $1,346 reflect a stable, middle-income community. With a poverty rate of just 6.9% — well below the national average — and an unemployment rate of 4.8%, the city's economic foundation supports the strong safety grades seen across its neighborhoods. The highest-income neighborhoods, such as Stanwood Park ($105,588 median income) and Loveitt's Field ($94,886), also happen to hold A+ safety grades. Even lower-income neighborhoods like Breakwater (median income $65,554) and Ferry Village ($66,061) still earn Grade A safety ratings, showing that South Portland maintains broad safety across income levels.

Is South Portland a good place to buy a home from a safety perspective?

From a safety standpoint, South Portland presents a compelling case for homebuyers. With 94.1% of neighborhoods graded A and a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A), buyers have a wide range of neighborhoods to consider without significant safety trade-offs. The median home value of $278,151 reflects a market where safety and affordability intersect favorably compared to many coastal Maine communities. Neighborhoods like Stanwood Park, Highland, and Meetinghouse Hill offer A+ safety grades alongside relatively higher median incomes, making them particularly attractive for families. Even areas like Thornton Heights and Pleasantdale, which carry Grade A ratings, offer entry points into a safe community at varying price ranges. The overall B+ crime grade for the city reinforces that South Portland is a low-risk environment for long-term residential investment.