Is Dover or Smyrna Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Smyrna is safer than Dover (Safety Score 29/100 vs 1/100), with a total crime rate of 2,450 per 100,000 versus 7,082 for Dover — 65% lower. Dover has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Smyrna has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Dover is 3.0x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dover — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Smyrna — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dover, DE
Smyrna, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dover | Smyrna | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 7,082.1 | 2,450.3 | +4,631.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,012.8 | 485.6 | +527.2 |
| Murder Rate | 17.5 | 0.0 | +17.5 |
| Rape Rate | 39.9 | 44.8 | -4.9 |
| Robbery Rate | 114.8 | 37.4 | +77.4 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 840.7 | 403.4 | +437.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 6,069.3 | 1,964.7 | +4,104.6 |
| Burglary Rate | 139.7 | 246.5 | -106.8 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 5,572.9 | 1,509.0 | +4,063.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 356.7 | 209.2 | +147.6 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dover or Smyrna safer?
Smyrna is safer with a total crime rate of 2,450 per 100K vs 7,082 for Dover — a 65% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dover has a violent crime rate of 1,012.8 per 100K while Smyrna has 485.6. Smyrna 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 Smyrna, DE
Smyrna, a town in Kent County, Delaware, lies along the Duck Creek, once vital for its shipbuilding industry. It's a small, rural community situated between Wilmington and Dover, reflecting a blend of agricultural heritage and residential growth. With a safety score of 29/100 and a population coverage of 13,386, Smyrna has a total crime rate of 2,450.3 per 100,000 residents.