Downtown Baltimore Sees Rise in Tourism, Drop in Crime

Annual State of Downtown report shows progress in key metrics for Maryland's largest city

Apr. 16, 2026 at 9:12pm

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According to the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore's 2025 State of Downtown Report, tourism is on the rise and crime is declining in downtown Baltimore. The city welcomed 28.5 million visitors in 2025, generating $4.3 billion in visitor spending, a 7.5% increase year-over-year. Crime is also down, with homicides dropping 47%, larceny down 4%, and auto theft falling 32%. However, the report notes some declines in hotel occupancy, office and retail occupancy, and population within the downtown one-mile radius.

Why it matters

The positive trends in tourism and public safety indicate that downtown Baltimore is making progress in its revitalization efforts, which is crucial for the city's economic and social well-being. The report highlights the impact of initiatives like the Downtown RISE Masterplan and the CIAA tournaments, which have generated significant economic activity.

The details

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore's 2025 State of Downtown Report shows that the city welcomed 28.5 million visitors in 2025, generating $4.3 billion in visitor spending, a 7.5% increase year-over-year. The CIAA tournaments have generated nearly $110 million in economic impact since coming to Baltimore in 2022. However, the report also notes a 3% drop in hotel occupancy, as well as slight declines in office and retail occupancy. The downtown population within a one-mile radius also decreased from more than 41,500 in 2024 to just under 41,000 in 2025.

  • The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore released its 2025 State of Downtown Report on April 16, 2026.
  • The CIAA tournaments have been held in Baltimore since 2022.

The players

Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

A non-profit organization that works to promote and revitalize downtown Baltimore.

Shelonda Stokes

The President of the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore.

Brandon Scott

The Mayor of Baltimore.

Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“The data tells a story of real and measurable progress. Downtown Baltimore is not waiting for its next renaissance; it's in the making through increased public and private investment, a growing residential community, steady tourism, and improved quality of life. While challenges remain, we have a clear roadmap as detailed in the Downtown RISE Masterplan and are fully confident that we will continue the momentum underway through shared focus and relentless execution of the priorities we continue to pursue.”

— Shelonda Stokes, President of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore

“We will negotiate opportunities to help you and your business to develop properties in a way that will help all of us and save you some money.”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore

What’s next

The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore plans to continue implementing its Downtown RISE Masterplan, which includes several current and future improvement projects to transform the city's downtown area. The recently passed "Payment in Lieu of Taxes" bill, signed by Governor Wes Moore, will also provide tax breaks for economic development projects in the Downtown RISE District.

The takeaway

Downtown Baltimore's progress in tourism and public safety, as highlighted in the 2025 State of Downtown Report, demonstrates the city's commitment to revitalizing its urban core. While challenges remain, the report's findings suggest that the city's strategic initiatives and public-private partnerships are yielding positive results and laying the groundwork for a more vibrant and prosperous downtown.