F
137%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
347%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
97%
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 peopleLaurel/100k peopleDelaware/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime230n/a (estimate)5,5052,3482,324
Murder0n/a0.04.86.3
Rape1n/a23.922.040.0
Robbery7n/a167.557.066.1
Assault61n/a1,460.0299.8268.2
Violent crime69n/a (estimate)1,652384370
Burglary12n/a287.2203.1269.8
Theft133n/a3,183.31,591.11,401.9
Vehicle theft16n/a383.0169.9282.7
Property crime161n/a (estimate)3,8541,9641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Laurel, 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 Laurel crime rate is higher than the national average by 136.9%. Specifically, there were 69 violent crimes in Laurel, equivalent to 1652 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 346.6%. Furthermore, Laurel recorded 161 property crimes, amounting to 3854 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 97.2%.

Having a crime rate of 5505 per 100,000 residents, Laurel experiences a crime rate that is 136.86% 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, Laurel 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.

Laurel ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1652 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 Laurel stand at 1 in every 61 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.

During the most recently reported crime year, Laurel experienced a total of 0 reported murders. This statistic paints it as a beacon of security when it comes to severe violent crimes. Such an achievement not only instills a profound sense of security for its residents but also sets a high standard for other communities striving to create similarly secure environments. It underscores the area as a place where safety is a top priority, enhancing its appeal as a desirable location to live and thrive.

With a property crime rate of 3854 crimes per 100,000 people, Laurel unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Laurel is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 26, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Laurel?

AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Laurel to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 50% of people answered that there was very little crime in Laurel and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 50% 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 Laurel a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Laurel is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Laurel has a total crime rate that is 137% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 0.63 daily crimes (0.19 violent daily crimes and 0.44 daily property crimes) in Laurel.

Has Crime in Laurel Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Laurel crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Laurel has increased by 9% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 15% and property crime has increased by 6.6%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Laurel

Laurel has a poverty rate of 36, 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.

The educational level within a community can have an influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of education are associated with reduced crime rates, as they offer individuals improved employment prospects and alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, lower educational attainment tends to correspond with higher crime rates. In Laurel, 72.9% of residents have achieved at least a high school diploma, which differs from the national average of 83%.

In Laurel, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 3.94 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

Laurel crime map



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

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Laurel crime rates are 137% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Laurel are 347% higher than the national average
      • In Laurel you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Laurel is safer than 2% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Laurel has increased by 20%

      Laurel, DE Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Laurel

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        Daily Crime In Laurel (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Laurel, DE per 100,000 people. In Laurel, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 2.34 times more than the Delaware average and 2.37 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Laurel is 4.31 times more than the Delaware average and 4.47 times more than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Laurel has a daily crime rate that is 1.96 times more than the Delaware average and 1.97 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Laurel (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Laurel to every other city in Delaware, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Laurel safe? The gauges above illustrate that Laurel is safer than 9% of every city located within Delaware along with 2% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Delaware and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Laurel, DE is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Laurel

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Laurel is 1 in 61
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Laurel is 1 in 26
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Laurel is 1 in 19
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Laurel, Delaware you have a 1 in 61 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 26 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Laurel.

        Year Over Year Crime In Laurel (per 100,000 people)

        An ideal indicator of whether Laurel is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live can be done by analyzing the year over year crime rates per 100,000 people. Year over year violent crime in Laurel has increased by 26% and the rate of property crime in Laurel has increased by 17%. The total crime rate in Laurel has increased by 20% year to year.

        Laurel police department

        Item Laurel Delaware National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)15962558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.95.43.3
        There are a total of 15 Laurel police officers. This results in 3.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 26.6% less than the Delaware average and 21.1% 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
        Hebron, MD1,0192058421,047
        Pittsville, MD1,7422078521,060
        Federalsburg, MD2,6682409861,226
        Delmar, MD3,3212691,1031,372
        Bridgeville, DE3,5085071,7022,209
        Bethel, DE4043771,9302,307
        Laurel, DE4,3111,6523,8545,505

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Atlantic Highlands, NJ4,31268453521
        University Gardens, NY4,310111447559
        East Troy, WI4,31084295379
        Heritage Hills, NY4,309130522652
        Canton, NC4,3133613,0683,429
        Laurel, DE4,3111,6523,8545,505
        Source: The Laurel, 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.