B+
44%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
31%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
46%
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 peopleLewes/100k peopleDelaware/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime46n/a (estimate)1,3022,3482,324
Murder0n/a0.04.86.3
Rape2n/a56.622.040.0
Robbery0n/a0.057.066.1
Assault7n/a198.1299.8268.2
Violent crime9n/a (estimate)255384370
Burglary3n/a84.9203.1269.8
Theft33n/a934.01,591.11,401.9
Vehicle theft1n/a28.3169.9282.7
Property crime37n/a (estimate)1,0471,9641,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Lewes, DE

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Lewes crime rate is 44% lower than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Lewes, there were 9 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 255 per 100,000 individuals, 31.1% lower than the national average. Additionally, Lewes recorded 37 property crimes, amounting to 1047 per 100,000 residents, 46.4% lower than the U.S. average.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Lewes reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Lewes?

AreaVibes surveyed 18 local residents in Lewes to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 83% of people answered that there was very little crime in Lewes and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 17% 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 Lewes a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Lewes is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Lewes has an overall crime rate that is 44% lower than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 0.13 daily occurrences, comprising 0.02 violent crimes and 0.1 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Lewes as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Lewes 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 Lewes 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 Lewes has decreased by 6.1% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 10% and property crime has decreased by 5.1%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Lewes

The economic well-being of a city's residents plays a significant role in crime rates. High poverty rates and income inequality can lead to increased crime stats as individuals may resort to illegal activities to meet their basic needs. While lower rates could lead to a lower Lewes crime rate. The poverty level in Lewes is 5.1%, while the national average is 15.1%.

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Lewes crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Lewes has an unemployment rate of 0.3%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Lewes, the cost of living is 37.92% higher than the national average.

Lewes crime map



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

  • Lewes crime rates are 44% lower than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Lewes are 31% lower than the national average
  • In Lewes you have a 1 in 77 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Lewes is safer than 50% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Lewes has decreased by 8%

Lewes, DE Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Lewes (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Lewes (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Lewes

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lewes is 1 in 393
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Lewes is 1 in 96
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Lewes is 1 in 77

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

        Lewes police department

        Item Lewes Delaware National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)11962558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.95.43.3
        There are a total of 11 Lewes police officers. This results in 3.9 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 27.3% less than the Delaware average and 20% 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
        Cape May Point, NJ16582572654
        Erma, NJ2,03687607694
        North Cape May, NJ3,749101702803
        Henlopen Acres, DE187155793949
        Slaughter Beach, DE302155793949
        West Cape May, NJ1,0081571,0941,251
        Lewes, DE3,2662551,0471,302

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        North Brooksville, FL3,2661701,0291,199
        Harlem, GA3,26724194218
        Newburgh, IN3,263119603722
        Orange, OH3,26956340396
        Alexander, AR3,2638162,0802,896
        Lewes, DE3,2662551,0471,302
        Source: The Lewes, 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.