Is Crofton Safe, Pros and cons of living in Crofton
Crofton, Maryland, offers a blend of suburban tranquility and convenient access to major metropolitan areas. This planned community in Anne Arundel County is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, well-regarded schools, and a variety of recreational opportunities. Its strategic location provides residents with the benefits of a quieter lifestyle while remaining within commuting distance of Baltimore and Washington D.C.
The town boasts a diverse population and a strong sense of community, fostered by numerous local events and shared amenities. Crofton’s development has focused on creating a well-rounded living environment, appealing to those seeking a balance between work, family, and leisure.
Is it Safe to Live in Crofton?
Crofton is generally considered a safe place to live, with crime rates below the national average. The overall crime rate is 42% lower than the national average, and violent crimes are also 21% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). Residents have a 1 in 60 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Crofton.
Neighborhood safety can vary, with residents often considering the northeast part of the city to be the safest. Your likelihood of being a victim of crime can range from 1 in 26 in the northwest neighborhoods to 1 in 91 in the northeast (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). The cost of crime per resident is approximately $202 annually, which is less than the national and state averages (as reported by CrimeGrade.org).
Housing Costs in Crofton
Home Prices
The housing market in Crofton presents a range of options, with a median listing price of $489,000 (as reported by realtor.com). More recent data indicates the average home value in Crofton, MD, is approximately $495,730, showing a slight increase of 0.4% over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median property value in Crofton was $519,900 in 2024, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA).
The homeownership rate in Crofton is 82.2%, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Homes typically spend an average of 18 days on the market (as reported by realtor.com), indicating a relatively active real estate environment. In April 2026, homes in Crofton sold for a median price of $454,950 (as reported by Movoto).
Rental Market
For those considering renting, Crofton offers various options, though rental costs are above the national average. The average rent in Crofton, MD, is around $2,181 per month, which is a 1.5% decrease compared to the previous year (as reported by RentCafe). One-bedroom apartments typically rent for about $2,031, while two-bedroom apartments average $2,239 per month.
Other sources indicate the average rent for all property types is $2,650 per month, with a month-over-month increase of $200 (as reported by Zillow). To comfortably afford the average rent, a monthly income of approximately $6,550 or $78,600 annually is recommended (as reported by Apartments.com).
Cost of Living
Crofton’s cost of living is generally higher than the national average, influenced significantly by housing expenses. The overall cost of living in Crofton, Maryland, is 31% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Housing expenses are particularly notable, being 93% higher than the national average, while utility prices are 18% higher (as reported by PayScale).
However, some cost categories are more in line with national figures. Transportation expenses, such as gas prices and bus fares, are at the national average (as reported by PayScale). Food costs are also slightly higher, by 2%, than the national average (as reported by PayScale), while healthcare costs are about 6% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale).
Job Market and Economy
Employment and Industries
Crofton’s economy supports a workforce of approximately 15,300 individuals. The primary industries employing Crofton residents include Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services, Public Administration, and Educational Services (as reported by Data USA). Highest paying industries in Crofton are Utilities, Public Administration, and Finance & Insurance.
From 2023 to 2024, employment in Crofton saw a slight decline of 2.15%. The most common job groups held by residents are in Management Occupations, Business & Financial Operations, and Office & Administrative Support (as reported by Data USA). The average salary for jobs in Crofton, Maryland, is approximately $74,002 per year or $36 per hour (as reported by ERI SalaryExpert).
Major Employers
Key employers in the Crofton area contribute significantly to the local economy. Major employers include Anne Arundel Medical Center, Boeing, and Fort Meade (as reported by LivingInMaryland.com). Other notable companies providing employment opportunities in the region are FedEx, Target, and McDonald’s (as reported by Indeed.com).
Additionally, companies like Sirius Federal, Tricon Construction, and EMS Technologies are recognized as significant employers in Crofton (as reported by Zippia). The presence of these diverse employers spans various sectors, offering a range of career paths for residents.
Unemployment Rate
The unemployment rate in Maryland was 4.3% in February 2026, remaining unchanged from the previous month (as reported by USAFacts). This rate is lower than the national unemployment rate for the same period. Anne Arundel County, where Crofton is located, had an unemployment rate of 2.7% in 2024 (as reported by Maryland Department of Labor).
This figure indicates a relatively stable job market within the county. The state’s labor force participation rate was 64.5% in December 2025 (as reported by Maryland Department of Labor), reflecting a significant portion of the population engaged in or seeking employment.
Climate in Crofton
Temperatures
Crofton experiences a climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Throughout the year, temperatures typically range from 27°F to 86°F, rarely falling below 15°F or exceeding 93°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The warmest month is July, with average high temperatures around 86°F and lows of 68°F.
Conversely, January is the coldest month, with average highs of 42°F and lows of 28°F (as reported by Weather Spark). The average annual temperature is around 53.8°F (as reported by IDcide).
Rainfall and Snowfall
Annual precipitation in Crofton averages approximately 47 inches, with rainfall distributed relatively evenly throughout the year (as reported by LivingInMaryland.com). May is typically the wettest month, receiving an average of 3.5 inches of rain (as reported by Weather Spark). There are about 11.5 wet days in July, making it the month with the most precipitation days (as reported by Weather Spark).
The area receives an average of 19 inches of snowfall annually (as reported by LivingInMaryland.com). The chance of a wet day, including liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation, is higher from April to August, with a greater than 29% probability (as reported by Weather Spark).
Education in Crofton
School Ratings
Crofton is served by the Anne Arundel County Public Schools district, which is ranked 13th out of 25 school districts in Maryland (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Among the elementary schools in Crofton, Crofton Woods Elementary and Crofton Elementary are noted as top performers.
Crofton Woods Elementary consistently ranks among the top 100 elementary schools in Maryland, boasting a 4-star rating and outperforming county and state averages in math and English language arts test scores (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Crofton Elementary also ranks highly, within the top 150 in Maryland, with strong test scores, especially in English language arts.
High School Performance
Crofton High School is recognized for its academic achievements, ranking within the top 20% of public high schools in Maryland (as reported by Niche). It is particularly noted for high proficiency rates in math and reading/language arts, exceeding state averages.
The student-teacher ratio at Crofton High School is 20:1, which is higher than the Maryland state average of 14:1 (as reported by Niche). Despite this, the school has shown consistent improvement in its academic performance and statewide ranking over recent years (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).
Demographics of Crofton
Population and Age
Crofton is home to approximately 29,549 residents (as reported by Data USA). The median age in Crofton is 37.1 years, with a slightly higher proportion of females to males (as reported by Data USA). The population is distributed across age groups, with about 25.2% under 15 and 11.7% aged 65 or older (as reported by Point2Homes).
The town is currently growing at a rate of 0.64% annually, indicating a steady increase in population since the most recent census (as reported by World Population Review). Crofton has a population density that is higher than the national average.
Racial and Ethnic Makeup
The racial composition of Crofton is diverse. White residents make up about 61.18% of the population, followed by African Americans at 15.75%, and Asians at 8.51% (as reported by Data USA). Residents of Hispanic origin constitute 9.12% of the population.
A significant portion of Crofton’s residents are U.S. citizens, with 94.3% holding citizenship, which is higher than the national average (as reported by Data USA). Approximately 12.4% of residents were born outside the country (as reported by Data USA).