Damascus, MD Crime Map
Explore crime rates, safest neighborhoods, and detailed crime statistics
Damascus Crime Rate Statistics
Full Statistics100 = national average. Higher = more crime.
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 312
chance per year
16% lower than national avg
Property Crime Risk
1 in 67
chance per year
18% lower than national avg
Damascus, MD Safety Overview: What the Data Shows in 2026
Damascus, Maryland earns an overall crime grade of B- at the city level, yet its analyzed residential neighborhood tells an even more encouraging story — the Damascus neighborhood itself holds an A- safety rating, placing it firmly in the "Very Safe" tier. With 100% of analyzed neighborhoods graded A, Damascus stands out as one of Montgomery County's most consistently secure communities.
To put that in perspective: zero neighborhoods in Damascus received a B, C, D, or F grade. Every block analyzed came back in the top safety tier. For a community of 17,105 residents spread across a low-density 463 people per square mile, that kind of uniformity is notable.
Understanding the Grade Gap: City vs. Neighborhood
You may notice the city-wide crime grade (B-) differs from the Damascus neighborhood's A- rating. This reflects how broader municipal comparisons factor in regional benchmarks and county-level context, while the neighborhood grade zeroes in on local incident density and resident population. The Damascus neighborhood — home to approximately 15,269 of the city's residents — earns its A- through consistently low incident rates relative to its size and density.
Economic Context and Its Role in Safety
Damascus's safety profile doesn't exist in a vacuum. The community's economic indicators reinforce what the crime grades suggest:
- Median household income of $128,446 — well above national and state medians
- Unemployment rate of just 2.9% — indicating a stable, working population
- Poverty rate of only 4.1% — among the lowest in the region
- Median home value of $415,161 — reflecting sustained investment and neighborhood stability
Research consistently links lower poverty and unemployment rates with reduced property and violent crime. Damascus's numbers align with that pattern, and the A- neighborhood grade reflects it.
Neighborhood Breakdown: Damascus (Grade A-)
The Damascus neighborhood is the primary residential area analyzed, and its A- crime grade reflects a very low rate of reported incidents across all major categories. With a median income of $138,634 — slightly higher than the city-wide median — this neighborhood benefits from strong homeownership rates, active community engagement, and proximity to Montgomery County's well-resourced public safety infrastructure.
Residents here experience a quality of life that matches the grade: streets that feel walkable, low after-dark incident rates, and a community culture oriented around family and outdoor activity. The Damascus Recreation Area and local trail networks see consistent use precisely because residents feel safe using them.
How Damascus Compares Across Montgomery County
Montgomery County encompasses communities with a wide range of safety profiles — from urban corridors with higher incident densities to quieter suburban and semi-rural pockets. Damascus falls firmly in the latter category. Its 100% Grade A neighborhood distribution means it compares favorably even against other high-income suburbs in the county. The combination of low population density (463 per sq mi), high median income, and minimal poverty creates conditions where serious crime rarely takes root.
Property Crime Awareness in a Safe Community
Even in a community graded A-, residents benefit from staying informed. In lower-crime suburban areas like Damascus, property-related incidents — opportunistic vehicle break-ins, package theft, and occasional residential burglary — tend to represent the most common incident types reported. These are largely preventable with basic precautions: secured garages, motion-activated lighting, and coordinated neighborhood watch participation. The Montgomery County Police Department's non-emergency line and online reporting portal make it easy to flag suspicious activity without escalating unnecessarily.
Safety Tips Tailored to Damascus
- Leverage Montgomery County's Crime Data Portal: Real-time incident mapping from the Montgomery County Police Department lets you filter by incident type and date range for the Damascus zip code.
- Join or form a neighborhood watch: The Damascus neighborhood's cohesive community structure makes watch programs particularly effective.
- Secure vehicles overnight: Even in A-rated neighborhoods, unattended valuables in cars remain the most common trigger for opportunistic theft.
- Report early, report often: Low-crime communities maintain their grades partly because residents report minor incidents — graffiti, suspicious loitering, package theft — rather than letting patterns develop unreported.
All 1 Neighborhoods in Damascus
Ranked by safety (safest first)| Rank | Neighborhood | Score | Safety | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Damascus | A- | Very safe | $138,634 |
All 1 Neighborhoods by Crime Level
Ranked by crime (highest first)| Rank | Neighborhood | Score | Safety Level | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Damascus | A- | Very safe | $138,634 |
Damascus Demographics Overview
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: Damascus, MD Crime & Safety (2026)
Is Damascus, MD safe to live in?
Yes — Damascus is one of the safer communities in Montgomery County. The Damascus neighborhood carries an A- safety grade, and 100% of analyzed neighborhoods in the city fall in the A tier. The city-wide crime grade is B-, which reflects regional comparisons, but at the neighborhood level, Damascus residents experience very low incident rates. Low unemployment (2.9%), a poverty rate of just 4.1%, and a median household income of $128,446 all contribute to the community's stable, safe environment.
What is the crime grade for Damascus, MD in 2026?
Damascus receives an overall city crime grade of B- in 2026. However, the primary residential area — the Damascus neighborhood itself — earns an A- neighborhood safety rating, placing it in the "Very Safe" category. No neighborhoods in Damascus received grades of B, C, D, or F, making it a uniformly low-crime community by any measure.
Which neighborhoods in Damascus are the safest?
The Damascus neighborhood is the primary analyzed area and holds an A- safety grade with a median income of $138,634. It represents 100% of the city's analyzed neighborhoods and accounts for approximately 15,269 residents. There are no high-crime pockets or outlier zones identified within the city — the entire residential footprint of Damascus falls within the top safety tier.
How does Damascus compare to other Maryland cities for safety?
Damascus compares very favorably. With a 100% Grade A neighborhood distribution and a city-wide grade of B-, Damascus sits well above average for Maryland communities of similar size. Its low population density of 463 people per square mile, combined with strong economic indicators, places it among the safer suburban communities in the state. The B- city grade reflects broader comparative benchmarks, but at the street level, Damascus residents experience conditions consistent with an A-rated community.
Is Damascus a good place to raise a family?
Damascus consistently ranks as a strong choice for families. The combination of an A- neighborhood safety grade, a 2.9% unemployment rate, a 4.1% poverty rate, and a median household income of $128,446 creates a stable, low-risk environment for children and parents alike. Median home values of $415,161 reflect sustained demand from families who prioritize safety, school quality, and community cohesion. The semi-rural character of Damascus — low density, green space, recreational amenities — adds to its appeal for households with children.
What types of crime are most common in Damascus?
In communities with A- safety grades like Damascus, property crimes — particularly opportunistic incidents such as vehicle break-ins and package theft — tend to represent the most frequently reported incident types. Violent crime rates in areas with this grade profile are very low. Residents are encouraged to use the Montgomery County Police Department's crime data portal to review the most current incident breakdown for specific streets or zones within the Damascus area.
Surrounding Cities
Damascus Zip Codes
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