La Plata, MD Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is La Plata Safe?
Not really — crime is above the national average
Neighborhood choice matters significantly. Stay aware of your surroundings, especially at night.
La Plata has a crime rate that is 47% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 151.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 151
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
74% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 33
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
64% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
La Plata 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
|
143 | +43% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
193 | +93% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
100 | 0% | Average | |
|
Rape
|
189 | +89% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
126 | +26% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
150 | +50% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
175 | +75% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
La Plata Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
La Plata Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific La Plata zip codes.
La Plata Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in La Plata, MD?
La Plata, MD has a crime safety grade of C- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 151 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 33 chance for property crime. La Plata has higher crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is La Plata, MD safe to live in?
La Plata 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 La Plata is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in La Plata?
The estimated violent crime rate in La Plata is 662.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 74% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 151 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.2 per 100K (43% above average); aggravated assault at 518.2 per 100K (93% above average); robbery at 74.0 per 100K (0% below average).
What is the property crime rate in La Plata?
The estimated property crime rate in La Plata is 3,003.4 per 100,000 residents, which is 64% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 33 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 339.8 per 100K (26% above average); larceny/theft at 2,106.9 per 100K (50% above average); vehicle theft at 556.7 per 100K (75% above average).
How does La Plata crime compare to the national average?
La Plata's overall crime rate is 47% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (93% above average), while robbery is 0% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, La Plata has higher crime than 87% of them.
Is La Plata safe to visit?
Visitors to La Plata should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 64% 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 La Plata crime compare to the rest of Maryland?
Maryland as a whole has crime that is 1% above the national average. La Plata's crime rate is 47% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Maryland city.
What type of crime is most common in La Plata?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in La Plata, with an estimated rate of 2,106.9 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 50% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,003 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (663 per 100K) in La Plata, which is consistent with national trends.