Top 10 most dangerous cities in Delaware

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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.

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Seaford Population: 7,897 1,134 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.11 chance of being a victim: 1 in 88 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,701

Seaford, DE holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Delaware with 1,134 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (889), robbery (189), rape (56) and homicide (0) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 214% 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.

Wilmington Population: 70,655 1,127 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 3.09 chance of being a victim: 1 in 89 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,286

The second most dangerous city is Wilmington. With a population of 70,655 and a violent crime rate that is 212% higher than the Delaware average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Wilmington are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 1,127 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 89 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Dover Population: 37,872 1,013 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.77 chance of being a victim: 1 in 99 Total Crimes / 100k: 7,082

Home to 37,872 residents, Dover, DE ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Delaware. Unfortunately for residents of Dover, crime is widespread, with more than 1,013 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 2.77 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 181% higher than the Delaware violent crime rate.

Milford Population: 11,463 791 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.17 chance of being a victim: 1 in 126 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,441

With a violent crime rate that is 119% higher than the Delaware average, it's not hard to see why Milford made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (50), assault (684), rape (36) and homicide (21). 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 Milford more vulnerable to high crime.

Georgetown Population: 7,436 702 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.92 chance of being a victim: 1 in 142 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,692

The ongoing battle with crime in Georgetown, 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 702 and a 1 in 142 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Georgetown has a violent crime rate that is 95% 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 Georgetown.

Smyrna Population: 11,694 486 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.33 chance of being a victim: 1 in 206 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,450

Smyrna, DE comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 486 per 100,000 people, which is 35% higher than the Delaware average. Smyrna has a population of 11,694, which translates to 1.33 crimes per day and 1 in 206 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: 5,302 378 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.04 chance of being a victim: 1 in 264 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,909

A 1 in 264 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 1.04 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 378 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 5% higher than the Delaware average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (378), robbery (0), rape (0) and homicide (0).

Newark Population: 33,822 310 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.85 chance of being a victim: 1 in 323 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,308

Newark, DE is another one of the most dangerous cities in Delaware and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 33,822 and a violent crime rate of 310 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 260 counts of assault, 23 counts of robbery, 23 counts of rape and 3 counts of homicide. All told, the Newark violent crime rate is 14% lower than the Delaware average.

Elsmere Population: 5,814 244 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.67 chance of being a victim: 1 in 409 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,021

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, Elsmere, DE comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Delaware with a violent crime rate of 244 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.67 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 409 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Middletown Population: 22,350 125 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.34 chance of being a victim: 1 in 800 Total Crimes / 100k: 1,668

Rounding out our list at #10 is Middletown, DE. With a population of 22,350 and a violent crime rate of 125 per 100,000 people (65% lower than the Delaware average), some parts of Middletown are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 117 counts of assault, 8 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 800 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	Seaford	7,897	1,134	5,701
2	Wilmington	70,655	1,127	4,286
3	Dover	37,872	1,013	7,082
4	Milford	11,463	791	4,441
5	Georgetown	7,436	702	5,692
6	Smyrna	11,694	486	2,450
7	New Castle	5,302	378	3,909
8	Newark	33,822	310	2,308
9	Elsmere	5,814	244	2,021
10	Middletown	22,350	125	1,668

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.