| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Wilmington/100k people | Delaware/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 3,084 | n/a (estimate) | 4,286 | 2,107 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 25 | n/a | 34.7 | 5.7 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 5 | n/a | 6.9 | 15.7 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 183 | n/a | 254.3 | 47.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 598 | n/a | 831.0 | 292.4 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 811 | n/a (estimate) | 1,127 | 361 | 359 |
| Burglary | 350 | n/a | 486.4 | 175.1 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,440 | n/a | 2,001.2 | 1,361.9 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 483 | n/a | 671.2 | 208.8 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 2,273 | n/a (estimate) | 3,159 | 1,746 | 1,760 |
When we analyze the latest crime report, the Wilmington crime rate is 102.2% higher 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 Wilmington, there were 811 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1127 per 100,000 individuals, 213.9% higher than the national average. Additionally, Wilmington recorded 2273 property crimes, amounting to 3159 per 100,000 residents, 79.5% higher than the U.S. average.
In Wilmington, the crime rate stands at 4286 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 102.24%. 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.
With a violent crime rate of 1127 crimes per 100,000 residents, Wilmington is known as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States. In fact, Wilmington ranks in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported violent crime last year. This translates into a 1 in 89 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.
Although murder rates are essentially half of what they used to be 30+ years ago, some cities still struggle with higher rates than others. Wilmington is one of those cities. In the last reported crime year, there were a total of 25 murders in Wilmington, which equates to 35 murders per 100,000 people. This results in Wilmington being a very dangerous place to live.
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 483 vehicle thefts, translating to 671 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 149.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Wilmington. Based on the results of the surveys (98 responses), 17% of people felt that there was very little crime in Wilmington and felt safe walking alone at night. While 83% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
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 102%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 8.45 daily incidents, encompassing 2.22 violent crimes and 6.23 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.
Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Wilmington. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Wilmington has decreased by 13.4%. Specifically, violent crime has decreased by 19.2%, while property crime has decreased by 11%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Wilmington.
Wilmington has a population density of 6678.5 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Wilmington crime rates.
The median home price in Wilmington is $314,843, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
High rent costs can create economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When a significant portion of one's income is spent on housing, there may be less money available for other essential needs such as food, healthcare and education. Economic stress can contribute to desperation and potentially lead individuals to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Average rent rates in Wilmington are $1,586, compared to a national average of $1,444 per month.
| 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 |
| Rose Valley, PA | 1,190 | 35 | 201 | 236 |
| Toughkenamon, PA | 1,091 | 46 | 269 | 315 |
| Greenville, DE | 2,501 | 57 | 274 | 331 |
| Lima, PA | 2,102 | 52 | 304 | 357 |
| Chester Heights, PA | 2,741 | 55 | 323 | 378 |
| St. Georges, DE | 1,084 | 72 | 348 | 420 |
| Greenwich, NJ | 2,805 | 69 | 454 | 524 |
| Wilmington, DE | 72,823 | 1,127 | 3,159 | 4,286 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Woodbury, MN | 72,852 | 99 | 1,180 | 1,279 |
| Casas Adobes, AZ | 72,858 | 331 | 1,407 | 1,738 |
| St. Charles, MO | 72,409 | 134 | 887 | 1,022 |
| Pittsburg, CA | 73,362 | 460 | 2,149 | 2,609 |
| Weston, FL | 73,378 | 123 | 653 | 776 |
| Wilmington, DE | 72,823 | 1,127 | 3,159 | 4,286 |
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