Is Newark or Wilmington Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Newark is safer than Wilmington (Safety Score 33/100 vs 7/100), with a total crime rate of 2,308 per 100,000 versus 4,286 for Wilmington — 46% lower. Newark has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Newark has a 91% lower rate.
Note: Wilmington is 2.4x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Newark — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wilmington — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Newark, DE
Wilmington, DE
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Newark | Wilmington | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 2,307.7 | 4,285.8 | -1,978.1 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 309.7 | 1,127.1 | -817.4 |
| Murder Rate | 3.3 | 34.7 | -31.4 |
| Rape Rate | 23.3 | 7.0 | +16.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 23.3 | 254.3 | -231.0 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 259.7 | 831.0 | -571.3 |
| Property Crime Rate | 1,998.0 | 3,158.8 | -1,160.8 |
| Burglary Rate | 179.8 | 486.4 | -306.6 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 1,611.7 | 2,001.2 | -389.5 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 206.5 | 671.2 | -464.8 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Newark or Wilmington safer?
Newark is safer with a total crime rate of 2,308 per 100K vs 4,286 for Wilmington — a 46% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Newark has a violent crime rate of 309.7 per 100K while Wilmington has 1,127.1. Newark has lower violent crime.
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.
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.