| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Laurel/100k people | Delaware/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 197 | n/a (estimate) | 4,467 | 2,107 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 22.7 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 2 | n/a | 45.4 | 15.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 5 | n/a | 113.4 | 47.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 56 | n/a | 1,269.8 | 292.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 64 | n/a (estimate) | 1,451 | 361 | 359 |
| Burglary | 19 | n/a | 430.8 | 175.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 108 | n/a | 2,449.0 | 1,361.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 6 | n/a | 136.1 | 208.8 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 133 | n/a (estimate) | 3,016 | 1,746 | 1,760 |
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 110.8%. Specifically, there were 64 violent crimes in Laurel, equivalent to 1451 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 304.1%. Furthermore, Laurel recorded 133 property crimes, amounting to 3016 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 71.4%.
In Laurel, the crime rate stands at 4467 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 110.79%. 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 Laurel 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.
With a violent crime rate of 1451 crimes per 100,000 residents, Laurel is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Laurel ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 69 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. Keep in mind that some areas will be safer than others and this doesn't necessarily mean that the entire city suffers from a high violent crime rate.
Despite a steady decline in murder rates in the United States since 1990, recent years have witnessed an unfortunate uptick. Laurel stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates, surpassing other cities that reported crime. In Laurel, there were a total of 1 murders, translating to 23 murders per 100,000 people, underscoring the pressing need for continued efforts to address and reduce severe violent crime in the area.
What do the local residents think about crime in Laurel? Well, based on a recent survey of 10 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 40% of Laurel residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 60% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Is Laurel 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, Laurel has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 111%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.54 daily incidents, encompassing 0.18 violent crimes and 0.36 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Laurel as a potential place to call home.
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 decreased by 6.6% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 6.7% and property crime has decreased by 11.9%.
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.
Regions characterized by high population density frequently encompass expansive urban hubs that offer diverse economic prospects. In such areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, creating pockets of poverty alongside affluence. Economic disparities within these regions may correlate with elevated property crimes and, in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density numbers generally exhibit reduced Laurel crime rates. Laurel registers a population density of 1544.3 people per square mile, in contrast to the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.
In Laurel, the median home price stands at $281,789, diverging from the national average of $326,622. Elevated housing costs often induce financial strain among residents. When individuals grapple with the challenges of affording housing, they may find themselves compelled to resort to criminal activities as a means of addressing their financial hardships, including acts like theft or fraud. This predicament is particularly pronounced in areas where housing affordability poses a persistent issue, giving rise to heightened concerns regarding crime. In such instances, some individuals and families may find themselves constrained to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, exacerbating stress levels and potentially fostering domestic disputes and associated criminal incidents.
| Item | Laurel | Delaware | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 15 | 962 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 3.9 | 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 |
| Pittsville, MD | 1,782 | 61 | 183 | 244 |
| Federalsburg, MD | 2,773 | 179 | 858 | 1,037 |
| Hebron, MD | 1,042 | 204 | 995 | 1,199 |
| Willards, MD | 1,061 | 215 | 1,049 | 1,264 |
| Milton, DE | 3,090 | 264 | 1,002 | 1,265 |
| Bridgeville, DE | 3,626 | 240 | 1,199 | 1,438 |
| Delmar, MD | 3,402 | 270 | 1,316 | 1,586 |
| Laurel, DE | 4,430 | 1,451 | 3,016 | 4,467 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Grayson, GA | 4,430 | 85 | 435 | 520 |
| Springville, NY | 4,429 | 315 | 1,425 | 1,740 |
| Garwood, NJ | 4,429 | 0 | 1,116 | 1,116 |
| Golden Triangle, NJ | 4,431 | 128 | 841 | 969 |
| Honesdale, PA | 4,431 | 226 | 745 | 971 |
| Laurel, DE | 4,430 | 1,451 | 3,016 | 4,467 |
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