Chester, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Chester Safe?
Yes — Chester is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Chester has a crime rate that is 41% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 405.
However, safety varies dramatically by neighborhood. Areas like Chester earn an A safety grade, while Chester rates A. Understanding which neighborhoods are safe is critical for anyone living in, moving to, or visiting Chester.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 405
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
35% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 69
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
21% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Chester Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
67 | -33% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
62 | -38% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
72 | -28% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
70 | -30% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
57 | -43% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
77 | -23% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
65 | -35% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Chester Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Where Is It Safe in Chester?
Safety varies dramatically across Chester's 2+ neighborhoods.
Safest Neighborhoods
Top 2Areas with Higher Crime
Bottom 1Neighborhood Safety Distribution
Out of 2 neighborhoods in Chester
All Chester Neighborhoods
| # | Neighborhood | Grade | Crime Index |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chester | A | 133 |
| 2 | Kent Narrows | A | 149 |
Chester Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Chester zip codes.
Chester Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Chester, MD?
Chester, MD has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 41% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 405 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 69 chance for property crime. Chester has lower crime than 77% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Chester, MD safe to live in?
Chester is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. Approximately 100% of the city's 2 neighborhoods are rated A or B for safety. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. For example, Chester is one of the safest areas, while Chester has higher crime rates. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Chester is strongly recommended.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Chester?
Based on 2026 crime data, the safest neighborhoods in Chester are Chester, and Kent Narrows. These areas have significantly lower crime rates than the city average and are popular choices for families, professionals, and anyone prioritizing safety.
What are the most dangerous areas in Chester?
The neighborhoods with the highest crime rates in Chester include Chester. These areas experience significantly more crime than the city average. Visitors and prospective residents should exercise extra caution in these neighborhoods, particularly at night.
What is the violent crime rate in Chester?
The estimated violent crime rate in Chester is 247.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 35% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 405 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 3.4 per 100K (33% below average); aggravated assault at 167.0 per 100K (38% below average); robbery at 53.2 per 100K (28% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Chester?
The estimated property crime rate in Chester is 1,442.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 21% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 69 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 154.1 per 100K (43% below average); larceny/theft at 1,082.1 per 100K (23% below average); vehicle theft at 206.7 per 100K (35% below average).
How does Chester crime compare to the national average?
Chester's overall crime rate is 41% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (23% below average), while burglary is 43% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Chester has lower crime than 77% of them.
Is Chester safe to visit?
Chester is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 21% below average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods. Popular, safer areas for visitors include Chester, Kent Narrows.
How does Chester crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Chester's crime rate is 41% below the national average, making it safer the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in Chester?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Chester, with an estimated rate of 1,082.1 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 23% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,443 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (247 per 100K) in Chester, which is consistent with national trends.