Top 10 most dangerous cities in Delaware

Delaware, the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution, is known for its rich history, beautiful beaches, and vibrant cities. From the historic streets of New Castle to the scenic shores of Rehoboth Beach, Delaware offers a variety of experiences for residents and visitors alike. The state is also home to major corporations and financial institutions, contributing to its robust economy. Despite its many attractions, Delaware faces safety challenges in certain areas. The most dangerous cities in Delaware are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where caution is advised. The juxtaposition of Delaware's historical significance and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this small but dynamic state.

Efforts to improve safety in Delaware involve comprehensive strategies, including enhanced law enforcement measures and community engagement programs aimed at preventing violence. These initiatives are essential in addressing the safety concerns affecting some of the most dangerous cities in Delaware. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and revitalization efforts. Delaware's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's rich history, economic opportunities, and scenic beauty continue to attract people, even as it navigates the complexities of urban safety concerns.

Wilmington Population: 70,655 1,201 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.29 chance of being a victim: 1 in 83 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,573

Wilmington, DE holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Delaware with 1,201 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (852), robbery (306), rape (17) and homicide (25) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 213% higher than the Delaware average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Seaford Population: 7,897 962 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.63 chance of being a victim: 1 in 104 Total Crimes / 100k: 7,213

The second most dangerous city is Seaford. With a population of 7,897 and a violent crime rate that is 151% higher than the Delaware average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Seaford are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 962 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 104 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Georgetown Population: 7,436 848 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.32 chance of being a victim: 1 in 118 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,461

Home to 7,436 residents, Georgetown, DE ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Delaware. Unfortunately for residents of Georgetown, crime is widespread, with more than 848 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.32 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 121% higher than the Delaware violent crime rate.

Dover Population: 37,872 820 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.25 chance of being a victim: 1 in 122 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,349

With a violent crime rate that is 114% higher than the Delaware average, it's not hard to see why Dover made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (57), assault (692), rape (62) and homicide (8). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make Dover more vulnerable to high crime.

Milford Population: 11,463 675 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.85 chance of being a victim: 1 in 148 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,270

The ongoing battle with crime in Milford, DE, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 675 and a 1 in 148 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Milford has a violent crime rate that is 76% higher than the Delaware average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Milford.

Smyrna Population: 11,694 516 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.41 chance of being a victim: 1 in 194 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,664

Smyrna, DE comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 516 per 100,000 people, which is 35% higher than the Delaware average. Smyrna has a population of 11,694, which translates to 1.41 crimes per day and 1 in 194 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Smyrna which are much safer than others.

New Castle Population: 5,302 494 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.35 chance of being a victim: 1 in 202 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,062

A 1 in 202 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 1.35 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why New Castle makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 494 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 29% higher than the Delaware average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (421), robbery (73), rape (0) and homicide (0).

Middletown Population: 22,350 367 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.01 chance of being a victim: 1 in 272 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,184

Middletown, DE is another one of the most dangerous cities in Delaware and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 22,350 and a violent crime rate of 367 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 315 counts of assault, 36 counts of robbery, 16 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. All told, the Middletown violent crime rate is 4% lower than the Delaware average.

Newark Population: 33,822 274 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.75 chance of being a victim: 1 in 365 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,389

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, Newark, DE comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Delaware with a violent crime rate of 274 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.75 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 365 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Elsmere Population: 5,814 98 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.27 chance of being a victim: 1 in n/a Total Crimes / 100k: 1,702

Rounding out our list at #10 is Elsmere, DE. With a population of 5,814 and a violent crime rate of 98 per 100,000 people (74% lower than the Delaware average), some parts of Elsmere are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 82 counts of assault, 16 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 1,019 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Delaware

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Wilmington	70,655	1,201	4,573
2	Seaford	7,897	962	7,213
3	Georgetown	7,436	848	4,461
4	Dover	37,872	820	5,349
5	Milford	11,463	675	4,270
6	Smyrna	11,694	516	2,664
7	New Castle	5,302	494	4,062
8	Middletown	22,350	367	2,184
9	Newark	33,822	274	2,389
10	Elsmere	5,814	98	1,702

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Delaware is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Delaware cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

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Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.