Dover, DE Crime Rate & Safety
FBI-verified crime statistics for 2024 | Population: 40,087
Violent
Property
Total
Safety Score
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Is Dover, Delaware Safe?
Dover has a safety score of 1/100 (High Crime). Based on FBI data for 2024, the city reported a total crime rate of 7,082.1 per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 2,752.3 per 100,000.
Dover ranks #6 out of 6 cities in Delaware and #2952 out of 2971 nationally (safest first). This places it in the 1st percentile for safety — with higher crime than 99% of US cities.
The most elevated crime category in Dover is larceny-theft, at 5,572.9 per 100K — 3.4x the national average. Conversely, burglary is relatively low at just 0.5x the national rate.
Year over year, Dover's total crime rate increased by 36%, with violent crime rising 40.2%.
Dover Crime Statistics Breakdown (2024)
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 406 | 1,012.8 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 7 | 17.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 16 | 39.9 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 46 | 114.8 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 337 | 840.7 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 2,433 | 6,069.3 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 56 | 139.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 2,234 | 5,572.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 143 | 356.7 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Dover vs Delaware Average
How does Dover's crime rate compare to the Delaware state average?
| Metric | Dover | Delaware Avg | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,012.8 | 778.1 | +30.2% |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,069.3 | 3,319.6 | +82.8% |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 18.5 | -5.4% |
| Total Crime Rate | 7,082.1 | 4,097.7 | +72.8% |
Dover Crime Rate Trends
Year-over-year crime rate changes for Dover, Delaware.
| Year | Population | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 40,087 | 7,082.1 | 1,012.8 | 6,069.3 |
| 2023 | 38,209 | 5,208.2 | 722.3 | 4,485.9 |
| 2022 | 38,438 | 5,403.5 | 819.5 | 4,584.0 |
| 2021 | 38,439 | 4,896.1 | 934.0 | 3,962.1 |
| 2020 | 38,428 | 4,848.0 | 853.5 | 3,994.5 |
| 2019 | 38,361 | 6,232.9 | 870.7 | 5,362.2 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover, Delaware safe?
Dover has a safety score of 1/100. With a total crime rate of 7,082.1 per 100,000 residents in 2024, Dover is higher than average in crime compared to the national average.
What is the crime rate in Dover, Delaware?
According to FBI data for 2024, Dover has a violent crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100,000 and a property crime rate of 6,069.3 per 100,000 residents.
How does Dover compare to the national average?
Dover's total crime rate of 7,082.1 per 100,000 can be compared to the national average. The city has a population of 40,087.
What types of crime are most common in Dover?
Based on FBI 2024 data, the most reported crimes in Dover include larceny-theft, aggravated assault, and burglary. Property crime is generally more common than violent crime.
Is Dover safe to visit?
Like any city, Dover has areas that are safer than others. The city's overall safety score is 1/100 based on FBI crime data. Standard travel precautions are recommended.