Is Dover or Newark Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newark is safer than Dover (Safety Score 33/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,308 per 100,000 versus 7,082 for Dover — 67% lower. Dover has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Newark has a 81% lower rate.
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newark — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover, DE
Newark, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dover | Newark | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 7,082.1 | 2,307.7 | +4,774.4 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,012.8 | 309.7 | +703.1 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 3.3 | +14.1 |
| Rape Rate | 39.9 | 23.3 | +16.6 |
| Robbery Rate | 114.8 | 23.3 | +91.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 840.7 | 259.7 | +580.9 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,069.3 | 1,998.0 | +4,071.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.7 | 179.8 | -40.1 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,572.9 | 1,611.7 | +3,961.2 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 356.7 | 206.5 | +150.3 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover or Newark safer?
Newark is safer with a total crime rate of 2,308 per 100K vs 7,082 for Dover — a 67% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dover has a violent crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100K while Newark has 309.7. Newark 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 Newark, DE
Newark, Delaware, home to the University of Delaware, is a college town situated in northern New Castle County. Its historic Main Street is a vibrant hub for students and residents. With a safety score of 33/100 and a population coverage of 30,030, Newark has a total crime rate of 2,307.7 per 100,000 residents.