Essex, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 82% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Essex Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
Essex has a crime rate that is 29% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 234.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 234
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
12% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 41
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
32% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Essex 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
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
114 | +14% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
103 | +3% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
117 | +17% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
111 | +11% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
123 | +23% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
120 | +20% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Essex Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Essex Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Essex zip codes.
Essex Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Essex, MD?
Essex, MD has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 29% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 234 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 41 chance for property crime. Essex has higher crime than 82% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Essex, MD safe to live in?
Essex has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Essex is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Essex?
The estimated violent crime rate in Essex is 426.6 per 100,000 residents, which is 12% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 234 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 6.3 per 100K (26% above average); aggravated assault at 304.9 per 100K (14% above average); robbery at 76.2 per 100K (3% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Essex?
The estimated property crime rate in Essex is 2,410.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 32% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 41 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 299.0 per 100K (11% above average); larceny/theft at 1,727.5 per 100K (23% above average); vehicle theft at 383.7 per 100K (20% above average).
How does Essex crime compare to the national average?
Essex's overall crime rate is 29% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is murder (26% above average), while robbery is 3% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Essex has higher crime than 82% of them.
Is Essex safe to visit?
Visitors to Essex should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 32% above 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.
How does Essex crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. Essex's crime rate is 29% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in Essex?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Essex, with an estimated rate of 1,727.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 23% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,410 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (427 per 100K) in Essex, which is consistent with national trends.