F
267%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
21%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
321%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleBethany Beach/100k peopleDelaware/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime88n/a (estimate)8,5272,3482,324
Murder0n/a0.04.86.3
Rape1n/a96.922.040.0
Robbery0n/a0.057.066.1
Assault2n/a193.8299.8268.2
Violent crime3n/a (estimate)291384370
Burglary3n/a290.7203.1269.8
Theft82n/a7,945.71,591.11,401.9
Vehicle theft0n/a0.0169.9282.7
Property crime85n/a (estimate)8,2361,9641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Bethany Beach, DE

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Bethany Beach crime rate is higher than the national average by 266.9%. Specifically, there were 3 violent crimes in Bethany Beach, equivalent to 291 per 100,000 individuals, lower than the national average by 21.4%. Furthermore, Bethany Beach recorded 85 property crimes, amounting to 8236 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 321.4%.

With a crime rate of 8527 per 100,000 residents, Bethany Beach has a crime rate that is 266.88% higher than the national average. This results in one of the highest total crime rates in the entire country. This does not necessarily mean that the entire city is unsafe. As with any area, there are some pockets in Bethany Beach that are much safer than others. A little research will go a long way in determining which areas could potentially offer a safer living environment.

In the latest reported crime year, Bethany Beach recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Bethany Beach has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 8236 crimes per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all American cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of property crime in Bethany Beach is 1 in 13, which is far higher than the national average.

The United States faces a global challenge with vehicle theft rates, averaging around 300 incidents per 100,000 individuals. Interestingly, only a limited proportion, approximately 10%, of cities have been fortunate enough to not report any stolen vehicles. In the latest crime report, Bethany Beach was among these cities, with no reported vehicle thefts, reaffirming its commitment to safety and security.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Bethany Beach?

What do the local residents think about crime in Bethany Beach? Well, based on a recent survey of 7 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 29% of Bethany Beach residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 71% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Bethany Beach a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Bethany Beach a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Bethany Beach crime rate is 267% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.24 crimes per day - 0.01 violent crimes and 0.23 property crimes.

Potential Causes for Crime in Bethany Beach

Bethany Beach has a poverty rate of 2.8, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Bethany Beach crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Bethany Beach has an unemployment rate of 1.6%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

The median home price in Bethany Beach is $571,700, compared to the national average of $184,700. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.

Bethany Beach crime map



The Bethany Beach crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Bethany Beach as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Bethany Beach crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Bethany Beach crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Bethany Beach crime rates are 267% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Bethany Beach are 21% lower than the national average
      • In Bethany Beach you have a 1 in 12 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Bethany Beach is safer than 13% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Bethany Beach has increased by 72%

      Bethany Beach, DE Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Bethany Beach

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        Daily Crime In Bethany Beach (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Bethany Beach (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Bethany Beach

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Bethany Beach is 1 in 344
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Bethany Beach is 1 in 13
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Bethany Beach is 1 in 12

        Year Over Year Crime In Bethany Beach (per 100,000 people)

        Bethany Beach police department

        Item Bethany Beach Delaware National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)11962558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents10.15.43.3
        There are a total of 11 Bethany Beach police officers. This results in 10.1 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 88.3% greater than the Delaware average and 210.7% greater than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Delaware

        State Total offenders Delaware /100K National /100K
        Delaware4,039505266
        There are a total of 4,039 sex offenders in Delaware. This yields a total of 505 sex offenders in Delaware per 100,000 residents which is 90% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Ocean View, DE2,63735631666
        Millville, DE1,484125639763
        Henlopen Acres, DE187155793949
        South Bethany, DE5582048161,020
        West Ocean City, MD4,6612491,0221,271
        Long Neck, DE2,8692161,1061,323
        Berlin, MD4,7403251,3361,661
        Bethany Beach, DE1,1502918,2368,527

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Dunnavant, AL1,150158671829
        Mound City, MO1,1502069851,191
        Ninnekah, OK1,1500500500
        Cottage City, MD1,150181744926
        Windsor, IL1,1501528921,045
        Bethany Beach, DE1,1502918,2368,527
        Source: The Bethany Beach, DE crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.