Lewiston, ME Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Lewiston, ME Crime & Safety

Is Lewiston, ME safe to live in?

Yes — Lewiston earns an overall crime grade of B-, and when you look at the three neighborhoods analyzed for 2026, the picture is even more encouraging. 100% of analyzed neighborhoods score in the A or B range, meaning none fall into concerning C, D, or F territory. Two out of three neighborhoods — Webster Street (Grade A) and Pond Road (Grade A-) — rank among the safest areas in Maine for a city of Lewiston's size. Even Downtown Lewiston, the most urban and densely populated of the three at roughly 12,173 residents, holds a solid Grade B. For context, 66.7% of analyzed neighborhoods carry an A rating, and the remaining 33.3% land at B — a distribution that compares favorably to many New England cities with similar population sizes near 36,000.

What is the crime rate in Lewiston, ME?

Lewiston's crime environment is best understood through its letter-grade breakdown rather than raw numbers. The city-wide safety rating is Safe (B), with an overall crime grade of B-. Across the three neighborhoods studied, 66.7% received a Grade A and 33.3% received a Grade B — with zero neighborhoods graded C, D, or F. Webster Street, which has a median household income of $58,546, achieves the top mark of Grade A. Pond Road, with a median income of $50,838, earns a Grade A-. Downtown Lewiston, where median income is lower at $30,177 and the population is denser, still maintains a Grade B — reflecting that while downtown areas typically see more activity, Lewiston's core remains within a safe classification. Residents should note that Lewiston's 16.6% poverty rate and 5.3% unemployment rate are economic factors that correlate with crime patterns nationally, making neighborhood-level data especially useful for a complete picture.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Lewiston, ME?

Based on 2026 data, the safest neighborhoods in Lewiston are:

• Webster Street — Grade A: The top-ranked neighborhood with a population of about 3,574 and a median household income of $58,546. Its above-average income relative to the city median of $42,969 and low population density contribute to its excellent safety profile.
• Pond Road — Grade A-: A smaller neighborhood of roughly 1,436 residents with a median income of $50,838. Its limited density and higher-than-average incomes make it one of Lewiston's most consistently safe areas.
• Downtown Lewiston — Grade B: Home to 12,173 residents — by far the largest and most economically diverse of the three neighborhoods, with a median income of $30,177. While it ranks third among the analyzed areas, a B grade still places it firmly in the "safe" category, and it benefits from active police presence and community programs.

Taken together, all three neighborhoods are classified as safe, making Lewiston one of the more uniformly low-crime small cities in Maine.

Is Lewiston, ME a good place to live in 2026?

For many households, Lewiston offers a compelling combination of affordability and safety that is increasingly rare in the Northeast. The median home value of $148,691 and median rent of $748/month are well below national averages, making homeownership and renting accessible on a median household income of $42,969. On the safety front, 100% of analyzed neighborhoods grade A or B — a strong indicator that the city's roughly 36,158 residents are distributed across genuinely low-crime areas. Challenges do exist: a poverty rate of 16.6% and an unemployment rate of 5.3% are above national averages and can put pressure on certain parts of the city, particularly in Downtown Lewiston where median income sits at $30,177. That said, Downtown still earns a Grade B, suggesting that community investment and policing efforts are keeping pace. Families and professionals prioritizing safety on a budget will find neighborhoods like Webster Street and Pond Road — both Grade A — to be standout options within Lewiston's affordable housing market.

How does Downtown Lewiston compare to other neighborhoods for safety?

Downtown Lewiston is the most populous neighborhood in the analysis, with 12,173 residents — nearly 34% of the city's entire population — and the lowest median income of the three areas at $30,177. Despite this, it earns a Grade B, placing it in the "safe" tier. Compared to Webster Street (Grade A, median income $58,546) and Pond Road (Grade A-, median income $50,838), Downtown does show a higher relative crime level, which is typical for urban cores with greater economic inequality and foot traffic. However, the gap between a B and an A in this dataset is not dramatic — no neighborhood in Lewiston scores below a B, meaning Downtown's elevated activity level does not push it into unsafe territory. Visitors and new residents exploring the downtown area should apply standard urban awareness practices, but the data does not support characterizing it as a high-crime zone.