F
449%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
956%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
353%
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 peopleDewey Beach/100k peopleDelaware/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime49n/a (estimate)12,7602,3482,324
Murder0n/a0.04.86.3
Rape1n/a260.422.040.0
Robbery0n/a0.057.066.1
Assault14n/a3,645.8299.8268.2
Violent crime15n/a (estimate)3,906384370
Burglary2n/a520.8203.1269.8
Theft29n/a7,552.11,591.11,401.9
Vehicle theft3n/a781.3169.9282.7
Property crime34n/a (estimate)8,8541,9641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Dewey 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 Dewey Beach crime rate is higher than the national average by 449%. Specifically, there were 15 violent crimes in Dewey Beach, equivalent to 3906 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 956.3%. Furthermore, Dewey Beach recorded 34 property crimes, amounting to 8854 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 353%.

Having a crime rate of 12760 per 100,000 residents, Dewey Beach experiences a crime rate that is 449.02% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Dewey Beach contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

Dewey Beach ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 3906 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Dewey Beach stand at 1 in every 26 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Dewey Beach reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

Every year, one in 12 people fall victim to a property crime in Dewey Beach - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 8854 per 100,000 people, Dewey Beach has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.

With a total of 3 vehicle thefts last year, Dewey Beach has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 781 per 100,000 people. This lands Dewey Beach in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 128.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Dewey Beach?

AreaVibes surveyed 12 local residents in Dewey Beach to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 67% of people answered that there was very little crime in Dewey Beach and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 33% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Dewey Beach a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Dewey Beach, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Dewey Beach presents a total crime rate that is 449% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Dewey Beach experiences an average of 0.13 daily crimes, comprising 0.04 violent incidents and 0.09 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Dewey Beach Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Dewey Beach has decreased by 14%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Dewey Beach, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 25%, while property crime has decreased by 8.1%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Dewey Beach is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Dewey Beach

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Dewey Beach crime rate. The poverty level in Dewey Beach is 8.4%, while the national average is 15.1%.

In Dewey Beach, 89.6% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.

In Dewey Beach, the cost of living is 41.42% higher than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.

Dewey Beach crime map



The Dewey Beach crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Dewey 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 Dewey Beach crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Dewey 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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Compare Dewey Beach, DE Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Dewey Beach crime rates are 449% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Dewey Beach are 956% higher than the national average
      • In Dewey Beach you have a 1 in 8 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Dewey Beach is safer than 0% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Dewey Beach has decreased by 6%

      Dewey Beach, DE Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Dewey Beach

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

        How Safe is Dewey Beach (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Dewey Beach

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Dewey Beach is 1 in 26
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Dewey Beach is 1 in 12
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Dewey Beach is 1 in 8

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

        Dewey Beach police department

        Item Dewey Beach Delaware National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)10962558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents28.55.43.3
        There are a total of 10 Dewey Beach police officers. This results in 28.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 431.1% greater than the Delaware average and 776.2% 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
        Milton, DE2,993113451564
        Ocean View, DE2,63735631666
        Millville, DE1,484125639763
        Henlopen Acres, DE187155793949
        South Bethany, DE5582048161,020
        Lewes, DE3,2662551,0471,302
        Long Neck, DE2,8692161,1061,323
        Dewey Beach, DE4423,9068,85412,760

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Scurry, TX4424362,3232,759
        Kulm, ND4423942,8103,204
        Ruma, IL442000
        Cragsmoor, NY4424281,7172,145
        Equality, IL4424282,5102,938
        Dewey Beach, DE4423,9068,85412,760
        Source: The Dewey 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.