Is Dover or Middletown Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Middletown is safer than Dover (Safety Score 51/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 1,668 per 100,000 versus 7,082 for Dover — 76% lower. Dover has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Middletown has a 100% lower rate.
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Middletown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover, DE
Middletown, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dover | Middletown | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 7,082.1 | 1,668.4 | +5,413.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,012.8 | 125.0 | +887.8 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 39.9 | 0.0 | +39.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 114.8 | 7.8 | +106.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 840.7 | 117.2 | +723.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,069.3 | 1,543.3 | +4,526.0 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.7 | 125.0 | +14.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,572.9 | 1,297.2 | +4,275.7 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 356.7 | 121.1 | +235.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover or Middletown safer?
Middletown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,668 per 100K vs 7,082 for Dover — a 76% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dover has a violent crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100K while Middletown has 125.0. Middletown has lower violent crime.
About Dover, DE
Dover, Delaware, the state capital, is a small city on the St. Jones River. Home to Dover International Speedway, it's the second-largest city in Delaware with a population just under 40,000. With a safety score of 1/100 and a population coverage of 40,087, Dover has a total crime rate of 7,082.1 per 100,000 residents.
About Middletown, DE
Middletown, DE, a rapidly growing town, was once a stop along the Delaware Railroad. Situated in southern New Castle County, its population has expanded significantly in recent decades. With a safety score of 51/100 and a population coverage of 25,594, Middletown has a total crime rate of 1,668.4 per 100,000 residents.