| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wilmington/100k people | Delaware/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,230 | n/a (estimate) | 4,573 | 2,348 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 18 | n/a | 25.5 | 4.8 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 12 | n/a | 17.0 | 22.0 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 216 | n/a | 305.8 | 57.0 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 602 | n/a | 852.4 | 299.8 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 848 | n/a (estimate) | 1,201 | 384 | 370 |
| Burglary | 418 | n/a | 591.9 | 203.1 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,566 | n/a | 2,217.4 | 1,591.1 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 398 | n/a | 563.5 | 169.9 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 2,382 | n/a (estimate) | 3,373 | 1,964 | 1,954 |
Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Wilmington is 96.8% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 848 violent crimes reported in Wilmington, equivalent to 1201 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 224.7%. Additionally, Wilmington recorded 2382 property crimes, amounting to 3373 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 72.6%.
In Wilmington, the crime rate stands at 4573 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 96.78%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Wilmington that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Wilmington has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 1201 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Wilmington falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 84 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Wilmington stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Wilmington, a total of 18 murders were reported, equating to 25 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Wilmington faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 398 vehicle thefts, translating to 564 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Wilmington in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 178.
AreaVibes surveyed 93 local residents in Wilmington to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 17% of people answered that there was very little crime in Wilmington and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 83% 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 Wilmington 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, Wilmington has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 97%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 8.85 daily incidents, encompassing 2.32 violent crimes and 6.53 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wilmington as a potential place to call home.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Wilmington has decreased by 9.2%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Wilmington, 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 15.5%, while property crime has decreased by 6.8%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Wilmington is a safe place to live.
In Wilmington, the poverty rate currently stands at 24.9%, which contrasts with the national average of 15.1%. It's essential to recognize that the economic status of a city's inhabitants could be a pivotal factor influencing crime stats. Communities grappling with high poverty rates and income inequality are often susceptible to elevated crime levels, as some individuals may turn to unlawful activities to fulfill their essential needs. While lower poverty rates could lead to a reduction in Wilmington crime rates.
In Wilmington, 79.2% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city 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.
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 Wilmington, the cost of living is 3.39% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.
| Item | Wilmington | Delaware | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 368 | 962 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 5.1 | 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 |
| Greenville, DE | 2,448 | 60 | 308 | 368 |
| Chester Heights, PA | 2,654 | 65 | 341 | 406 |
| Toughkenamon, PA | 1,053 | 73 | 388 | 462 |
| Lima, PA | 2,051 | 79 | 417 | 496 |
| Swarthmore, PA | 6,339 | 91 | 482 | 573 |
| Avondale, PA | 1,348 | 92 | 488 | 581 |
| Greenwich, NJ | 2,747 | 73 | 511 | 584 |
| Wilmington, DE | 70,655 | 1,201 | 3,373 | 4,573 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| St. Charles, MO | 70,650 | 212 | 1,747 | 1,960 |
| North Richland Hills, TX | 70,585 | 227 | 1,987 | 2,214 |
| Casas Adobes, AZ | 70,516 | 467 | 2,225 | 2,692 |
| Canton, OH | 70,863 | 1,180 | 5,547 | 6,728 |
| Weston, FL | 70,965 | 119 | 720 | 839 |
| Wilmington, DE | 70,655 | 1,201 | 3,373 | 4,573 |
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