Is Middletown or Wilmington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Middletown is safer than Wilmington (Safety Score 51/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 1,668 per 100,000 versus 4,286 for Wilmington — 61% lower. Middletown has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Middletown has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Wilmington is 2.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Middletown — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wilmington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Middletown, DE
Wilmington, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Middletown | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 1,668.4 | 4,285.8 | -2,617.5 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 125.0 | 1,127.1 | -1,002.0 |
| Murder Rate | 0.0 | 34.7 | -34.7 |
| Rape Rate | 0.0 | 7.0 | -7.0 |
| Robbery Rate | 7.8 | 254.3 | -246.5 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 117.2 | 831.0 | -713.8 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,543.3 | 3,158.8 | -1,615.5 |
| Burglary Rate | 125.0 | 486.4 | -361.4 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,297.2 | 2,001.2 | -704.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 121.1 | 671.2 | -550.1 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Middletown or Wilmington safer?
Middletown is safer with a total crime rate of 1,668 per 100K vs 4,286 for Wilmington — a 61% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Middletown has a violent crime rate of 125.0 per 100K while Wilmington has 1,127.1. Middletown has lower violent crime.
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.
About Wilmington, DE
Wilmington, Delaware, a port city on the Christina River, is home to the Rollins Building, a historic landmark. Its diverse population of roughly 70,000 resides just 30 miles south of Philadelphia. With a safety score of 7/100 and a population coverage of 71,958, Wilmington has a total crime rate of 4,285.8 per 100,000 residents.