Waterville, ME Crime Rate & Safety

Grade: A-

Lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities

Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026

47%
Below Avg Crime
1 in 459
Violent Crime Risk
1 in 66
Property Crime Risk

Is Waterville Safe?

Yes — Waterville is safe overall

A safe city with below-average crime, though safety varies by neighborhood.

Waterville has a crime rate that is 47% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 459.

Crime Index Comparison

Waterville
53
National Avg
100

100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.

Your Chance of Being a Victim

Violent Crime

1 in 459

chance per year

National average: 1 in 263

43% lower than national average

Property Crime

1 in 66

chance per year

National average: 1 in 55

18% lower than national average

Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?

Waterville Crime Breakdown

Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.

Highest Risk
Larceny / Theft · 20% below avg
Lowest Risk
Robbery · 52% below avg
Crime Type Index vs National Risk Level
Violent Crime
Murder
58 -42% Low
Assault
61 -39% Low
Robbery
48 -52% Low
Rape
51 -49% Low
Property Crime
Burglary
49 -51% Low
Larceny / Theft
80 -20% Average
Vehicle Theft
76 -24% Low

Violent vs Property Crime

Crime Index by Category

Waterville Crime Map

Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.

Full Screen Map
Crime Level: Low Below Avg Average Above Avg High

See the crime score for a specific address

Waterville Crime by Zip Code

Explore crime data for specific Waterville zip codes.

Waterville Demographics & Context

Population
16,623
Median Income
$39,722
Home Value
$124,092
Median Rent
$759
Ownership
46%

Racial Demographics

Hispanic / Latino 2.2%
White 92.1%
Black 1.1%
Asian 1.7%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Waterville, ME?

Waterville, ME has a crime safety grade of A- as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 47% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 459 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 66 chance for property crime. Waterville has lower crime than 87% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).

Is Waterville, ME safe to live in?

Waterville is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of A-. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Waterville is strongly recommended.

What is the violent crime rate in Waterville?

The estimated violent crime rate in Waterville is 217.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 459 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.9 per 100K (42% below average); aggravated assault at 162.7 per 100K (39% below average); robbery at 35.1 per 100K (52% below average).

What is the property crime rate in Waterville?

The estimated property crime rate in Waterville is 1,503.8 per 100,000 residents, which is 18% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 66 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 133.3 per 100K (51% below average); larceny/theft at 1,127.6 per 100K (20% below average); vehicle theft at 242.9 per 100K (24% below average).

How does Waterville crime compare to the national average?

Waterville's overall crime rate is 47% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is larceny/theft (20% below average), while robbery is 52% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Waterville has lower crime than 87% of them.

Is Waterville safe to visit?

Waterville is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 18% 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.

How does Waterville crime compare to the rest of Maine?

Maine as a whole has crime that is 24% above the national average. Waterville's crime rate is 47% below the national average, making it safer the typical Maine city.

What type of crime is most common in Waterville?

Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Waterville, with an estimated rate of 1,127.6 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 20% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (1,504 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (218 per 100K) in Waterville, which is consistent with national trends.

Crime Statistics for Nearby Cities

Crime Statistics by State