| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Dover/100k people | Delaware/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,056 | n/a (estimate) | 5,349 | 2,348 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 7.8 | 4.8 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 24 | n/a | 62.4 | 22.0 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 22 | n/a | 57.2 | 57.0 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 266 | n/a | 692.0 | 299.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 315 | n/a (estimate) | 820 | 384 | 370 |
| Burglary | 26 | n/a | 67.6 | 203.1 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,541 | n/a | 4,009.1 | 1,591.1 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 174 | n/a | 452.7 | 169.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,741 | n/a (estimate) | 4,529 | 1,964 | 1,954 |
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 Dover crime rate is higher than the national average by 130.1%. Specifically, there were 315 violent crimes in Dover, equivalent to 820 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 121.6%. Furthermore, Dover recorded 1741 property crimes, amounting to 4529 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 131.8%.
With a total of 5349 crimes per 100,000 people, the Dover crime rates stand at 130.14 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Dover, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.
Dover ranks among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting violent crime, earning its reputation as one of the nation's most dangerous areas. With a violent crime rate of 820 per 100,000 people, Dover is considered one of the most unsafe cities in America. This statistic translates to a 1 in 123 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Dover, underscoring the need for increased safety measures and community engagement to improve the city's security.
Dover has some of the highest property crime rates in the country with 4529 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 Dover is 1 in 23, which is far higher than the national average.
Vehicle thefts across all of America are on the rise and Dover has one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the country. In the most recent crime report, Dover reported 174 vehicle thefts, which equates to 453 stolen vehicles per 100,000 people. This falls in the bottom 10% of all cities, meaning that 90% of cities have better vehicle theft rates. The chance of having your vehicle stolen in Dover is 1 in 221.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Dover residents. Out of the respondents (47 in total), 28% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Dover were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 72% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is Dover a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Dover has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 130%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 5.63 daily incidents, encompassing 0.86 violent crimes and 4.77 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Dover as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime rates in Dover has increased by 9.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Dover is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 12%, while property crime has increased by 14.8%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Dover.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Dover, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 5%, which differs from the national average of 4.7%.
Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Dover, the cost of living is 1.55% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Dover has a median home price of $182,100, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.
| Item | Dover | Delaware | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 120 | 962 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.2 | 5.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Delaware /100K | National /100K |
| Delaware | 4,039 | 505 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Clayton, DE | 3,393 | 75 | 749 | 824 |
| Riverview, DE | 2,557 | 141 | 721 | 862 |
| Highland Acres, DE | 3,913 | 171 | 873 | 1,044 |
| Kent Acres, DE | 1,832 | 177 | 904 | 1,081 |
| Rodney Village, DE | 1,165 | 190 | 971 | 1,161 |
| Rising Sun-Lebanon, DE | 4,170 | 193 | 989 | 1,182 |
| Woodside East, DE | 2,167 | 226 | 1,156 | 1,382 |
| Dover, DE | 37,872 | 820 | 4,529 | 5,349 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Kailua, HI | 37,900 | 124 | 1,163 | 1,287 |
| Fort Lee, NJ | 37,843 | 154 | 1,357 | 1,511 |
| Longview, WA | 37,914 | 350 | 4,485 | 4,835 |
| Rosenberg, TX | 37,816 | 282 | 1,717 | 1,999 |
| Hanover Park, IL | 37,811 | 353 | 2,071 | 2,424 |
| Dover, DE | 37,872 | 820 | 4,529 | 5,349 |
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