Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Maryland (2023)
- Ocean City
- Elkton
- Baltimore
- Hyattsville
- Cambridge
- Salisbury
- Laurel
- Bladensburg
- La Plata
- Cumberland
1. Ocean City
The most dangerous city in Maryland is Ocean City, an Atlantic resort town in Worcester County. The town’s population is roughly 6,844, with a total crime rate that is 401% above the national average. The most common types of crime in Ocean City are assaults, robberies, burglaries, and theft. Ocean City manages to attract visitors around its downtown area near the shore, but many of the town’s surrounding neighborhoods are exceedingly dangerous.
2. Elkton
Elkton is also one of the worst cities in Maryland for crime. Elkton is a suburb of Philadelphia and constitutes part of the Delaware Valley Region. The town’s population is roughly 15,807, with a total crime rate that is 224% above the national average. As of 2022, the most common types of crime in Elkton include robberies, assaults, and personal theft. The amount of crime in Elkton is disproportionately high compared to its population.
3. Baltimore
Another one of the most dangerous cities in Maryland is Baltimore. It’s also the state’s most populous city. With a population of 585,708, Baltimore has a total crime rate that is 173% above the national average. Violent crime is an epidemic in Baltimore, with shootings, homicides, robberies, and gang conflicts being common. Other crimes relating to theft are extremely common as well. There were over 25,000 incidents of property crime and over 11,100 incidents of violent crime recorded in 2022.
4. Hyattsville
Hyattsville is a city in Prince George’s County just outside of Washington, D.C. Hyattsville has a population of 21,187 and a total crime rate that is 171% above the national average. Property crime is a major problem in Hyattsville, with 1,112 incidents recorded in 2022. Violent crimes like murder, robbery, and assault occur at rates much higher than the national average.
5. Cambridge
Cambridge is a town in Dorchester County that is located along Maryland’s eastern shoreline. Cambridge has a total crime rate that is 170% above the national average, with both high violent and property crime rates. The most common types of crime recorded in 2022 included burglary, assault, robbery, and theft. There were two murders recorded in Cambridge during the same year.
6. Salisbury
Salisbury is a historic colonial town located in Wicomico County. The town’s population is 33,050, and it has a violent crime rate that is 129% above the national average. There were almost 300 incidents of violent crime recorded in 2022, which is high considering the town’s relatively small population. Property crime, such as personal and property theft, is common as well.
7. Laurel
Laurel is a city located halfway between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. With a population of 30,060, Laurel has a total crime rate that is 67% above the national average. In 2022, there were 123 incidents of violent crime and 887 incidents of property crime. The most common types of crime include theft, burglary, robbery, and assault. There was one murder recorded in 2022.
8. Bladensburg
Bladensburg is located in Price George County in southern Maryland. With a population of roughly 9,657, Bladensburg has a total crime rate that is 66% above the national average. The most common types of crime annually are assaults, thefts, and vehicle theft. There were three murders and eighteen robberies recorded in 2022.
9. La Plata
La Plata serves as the county seat of Charles County in southern Maryland. With a population of 10,159, La Plata has a total crime rate that is 65% above the national average. There were 59 incidents of violent crime and 308 incidents of property crime in 2022. The most common types of crime include burglary, theft, assaults, and robbery. La Plata is a suburban community outside of Washington, D.C., with many residents commuting into the city for work.
10. Cumberland
Cumberland is a city in and the seat of Allegheny County in the western region of Maryland. The city’s population is 19,076, with a total crime rate that is 54% above the national average. Property crime is a problem in Cumberland, with almost 550 incidents recorded in 2022. There were four murders recorded in 2022, along with twenty-two robberies.
Most Dangerous Cities in Maryland Bottom Line
The Maryland cities we've discussed are known for their high crime rates, with many of the cities have a disproportionate amount of shootings and other types of violent crime. While most of these cities are working on tackling their crime problems, you should be aware of the bad areas so that you can keep yourself safe. If you're in a city with a high crime rate, be vigilant and don't take unecessary risks.