Is Havre de Grace Safe, Pros and cons of living in Havre de Grace
Nestled on the Susquehanna River at the head of the Chesapeake Bay, Havre de Grace, Maryland, offers a picturesque setting with a rich maritime history. This charming city blends small-town appeal with convenient access to larger metropolitan areas, making it an attractive option for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Its strategic location and historical significance contribute to its unique character and appeal to residents and visitors alike.
Havre de Grace boasts a population of approximately 14,994 residents (as of the latest Census data). The city’s demographics reveal a median age of 45.1 years, indicating a community with a significant proportion of mature adults. The racial makeup is predominantly White, accounting for about 66.9% of the population, followed by Black or African American residents at 19.0%. This composition makes Havre de Grace less diverse than the state of Maryland overall.
Is it Safe to Live in Havre de Grace?
Havre de Grace has been recognized for its safety, being named one of Maryland’s Safest Cities in 2016 (BackgroundChecks.org). The violent crime rate is reported at 235.5, with residents having a 2.7% chance of being involved in a property crime. More recent data indicates that crime rates in Havre de Grace are 33.8% lower than the national average.
Specifically, there were a total of 21 violent crimes reported, which is 61.3% lower than the national average. Property crimes also show a favorable comparison, with 191 reported incidents, a figure 28.1% lower than the national average. In the most recent reported crime year, Havre de Grace recorded zero homicides. When considering the chance of being a victim of crime, there is a 1 in 720 chance of experiencing a violent crime and a 1 in 80 chance of being a victim of property crime, resulting in an overall 1 in 72 risk of becoming a victim of crime in Havre de Grace.
Housing Market and Cost of Living
Home Prices and Ownership
The housing market in Havre de Grace presents a median property value of approximately $392,900, with a homeownership rate of 71.6%. In March 2026, the median sale price for a home was $378,000, reflecting an 8.5% decrease compared to the previous year. Homes in Havre de Grace typically sell after about 39 days on the market. The zip code 21078, which includes Havre de Grace, has a median listing price of $449,900, showing a year-over-year decrease of 4.27%.
The majority of households in Havre de Grace are owner-occupied, with 71.6% of the 6,429 occupied housing units falling into this category. Only 3.5% of all homes on the local market sit vacant. The median construction year for homes in Havre de Grace is 1992, with a significant portion of development occurring in the latter half of the 20th century.
Rental Market
For those considering renting, the average rent in Havre de Grace is approximately $1,475 per month, though this can range from $1,150 to $3,600. In May 2026, the average rent was reported as $1,090 per month, which is 34% lower than the national average. This affordability makes renting in Havre de Grace more accessible than in many other U.S. cities. A one-bedroom apartment averages around $1,090 monthly, while a two-bedroom unit can be expected to rent for approximately $1,444.
The rental market has seen fluctuations, with rent prices decreasing by $315 year-over-year and by $115 in the last month as of May 2026. However, a different report for the 21078 zip code indicates a year-over-year rent price increase of 19.70%. Currently, there are about 17 rental listings available in Havre de Grace, suggesting a competitive market for renters.
Cost of Living
The overall cost of living in Havre de Grace is approximately 10% higher than the U.S. national average but 41% lower than Maryland’s state average. This figure reflects a 2% increase from the previous year. Housing costs are a significant factor, though they are reported as 5.4% lower than the national average at $1,135 per month for a single person.
Food expenses are notably below the national average, at $288 monthly for an individual. Similarly, energy, transportation, and healthcare costs are also lower than the national average. These factors contribute to a total monthly expense of around $2,155 for a single person and $4,632 for a family of four.
Economy and Employment
Job Market and Major Employers
Havre de Grace’s economy is supported by a variety of industries and employers. The Chesapeake Industrial Park is a significant employment center, featuring businesses like Plastipak, which completed a major expansion in 2024. Other industries contributing to local employment include Dunlop Protective Footwear, Evonik, and TruRoots.
The city’s proximity to the Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) offers substantial employment opportunities, as APG is one of Maryland’s largest employers with over 21,000 personnel. The UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center in Aberdeen also contributes to the regional job market. The region is also fostering growth in bio-manufacturing through the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor Consortium, aiming to create skilled manufacturing jobs.
Salaries and Wages
As of April 2026, the average annual salary for employees at the City of Havre de Grace Maryland was approximately $93,951. This equates to an hourly wage of about $45, with typical salaries ranging from $82,105 to $107,587 annually. However, broader salary data for Havre de Grace indicates an average annual salary of $54,558, with most salaries falling between $36,750 and $69,738.
The average weekly wage in Harford County, where Havre de Grace is located, was $1,307 in the third quarter of 2025, which is below the U.S. average of $1,459. Occupations with higher earning potential in Havre de Grace include Director of Planning ($187,836 annually), Director of Finance ($170,359 annually), and Public Works Director ($169,720 annually). Top-paying jobs in the city overall include Research Scientist, Government positions, and Nurse Management roles.
Unemployment
Data regarding the unemployment rate specifically for Havre de Grace is not readily available in the provided search results. However, overall employment in Havre de Grace declined by 1.07% from the previous year, with approximately 7.74k employees. Maryland’s unemployment insurance claims are reported at the state level, but specific local figures for Havre de Grace are not detailed in the provided information.
Climate and Environment
Temperature and Weather Patterns
Havre de Grace experiences a climate characterized by warm, muggy, and wet summers, and very cold, snowy, and windy winters. The temperature typically ranges from 27°F to 86°F throughout the year, rarely dropping below 14°F or exceeding 92°F. The hot season lasts about 3.6 months, from late May to mid-September, with daily high temperatures often above 76°F.
July is the hottest month, with average highs around 85°F and lows of 69°F. Conversely, the cold season spans from early December to early March, with average daily high temperatures below 49°F. January is the coldest month, with average temperatures ranging from 28°F to 41°F. The city experiences partly cloudy skies year-round.
Precipitation
Monthly precipitation data for Havre de Grace shows an average of 47.60 inches of precipitation annually. July tends to be the wettest month, with an average of 0.80 inches of precipitation. The distribution of precipitation is relatively consistent throughout the year, with monthly amounts generally ranging from about 0.10 inches in January to 0.80 inches in July.
The clearer part of the year in Havre de Grace typically begins around late June and lasts for about 4.5 months, ending in mid-November. September is usually the clearest month, with skies being clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 64% of the time. The cloudier period begins in mid-November and extends for approximately 7.5 months, with January being the cloudiest month, often overcast or mostly cloudy 52% of the time.
Education and Demographics
School Ratings
Havre de Grace High School receives an overall Niche grade of B, with a student-teacher ratio of 18:1. State test scores indicate that 7% of students are proficient in math and 52% are proficient in reading. The high school is ranked among the top public high schools in Maryland and the Baltimore area, particularly noted for its athletic programs and teachers.
Havre de Grace Elementary School also holds an above-average rating, with a B+ overall Niche grade and a student-teacher ratio of 16:1. Proficiency in math is at 32%, while reading proficiency stands at 45%. The elementary school is well-regarded within Harford County for its teachers and diversity.
Demographics
Havre de Grace is home to approximately 14,994 residents, with a median age of 45.1 years. The population is composed of about 54.2% females and 45.8% males. The majority of residents are U.S. citizens, with 97.7% holding citizenship.
The racial composition is 66.9% White, 19.0% Black or African American, 5.6% Hispanic, and 2.4% Asian, with 5.4% identifying as Multiracial. The median household income in Havre de Grace was $105,817 in 2024, showing a slight decrease from the previous year. The poverty rate is 9.05%, which is lower than the national average of 12.5%.