Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Delaware has a total crime rate of 4,098 per 100,000 residents — 49% above the national average — ranking #45 of 50 US states (safest first), in the highest-crime quartile. Its safest reporting city is Middletown.
Limited Data Coverage
Our dataset includes 6 reporting cities covering 195,083 of Delaware's 1,031,890 residents (19%). Crime rates shown are based on reporting cities only and may not represent the full state. This is common in states transitioning to the newer NIBRS reporting system.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
Delaware Crime Overview
In 2024, Delaware reported a total crime rate of 4,097.7 per 100,000 residents — 49% above the national average of 2,752.3. This ranks Delaware #45 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in Delaware is murder at 3.0x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, Delaware's crime rate increased by 3.5%.
Within the state, Middletown is the safest city (crime rate: 1,668), while Dover has the highest rate (7,082) — a 4.2x difference that highlights how much safety can vary within a single state.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to Delaware, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how Delaware compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in Delaware or most dangerous cities in Delaware.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 1,518 | 778.1 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 36 | 18.5 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 39 | 20.0 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 250 | 128.2 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 1,193 | 611.5 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 6,476 | 3,319.6 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 569 | 291.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 5,117 | 2,623.0 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 790 | 405.0 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding Delaware's Crime Profile
Of Delaware's total crime rate, 19.0% is violent crime and 81.0% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning Delaware has a higher-than-average share of violent offenses.
Delaware's murder rate is 18.5 per 100K, which is 3.0x the national rate of 6.2. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 6 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of Delaware's total rate at 3,320 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in Delaware by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Middletown | 25,594 | 1,668.4 | 125.0 | 51/100 |
| 2 | Newark | 30,030 | 2,307.7 | 309.7 | 33/100 |
| 3 | Smyrna | 13,386 | 2,450.3 | 485.6 | 29/100 |
| 4 | Wilmington | 71,958 | 4,285.8 | 1,127.1 | 7/100 |
| 5 | Milford | 14,028 | 4,441.1 | 791.3 | 6/100 |
| 6 | Dover | 40,087 | 7,082.1 | 1,012.8 | 1/100 |
Delaware Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 195,083 | 4,097.7 | 778.1 | 3,319.6 |
| 2023 | 193,286 | 3,957.4 | 776.6 | 3,180.8 |
| 2022 | 191,809 | 3,940.4 | 787.2 | 3,153.1 |
| 2021 | 192,106 | 3,935.3 | 888.6 | 3,046.8 |
| 2020 | 189,670 | 4,046.0 | 906.3 | 3,139.7 |
| 2019 | 189,381 | 4,677.3 | 867.0 | 3,810.3 |
Delaware Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, Delaware's total crime rate decreased by 12.4%, moving from 4,677 to 4,098 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, Delaware's crime rate increased by 3.5%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
Delaware vs Neighboring States
How does Delaware's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs Delaware |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 4,097.7 | 778.1 | 3,319.6 | — |
| New Jersey | 1,457.5 | 248.0 | 1,209.5 | -64.4% |
| Pennsylvania | 2,462.7 | 359.1 | 2,103.7 | -39.9% |
| Maryland | 4,163.0 | 985.4 | 3,177.6 | +1.6% |
Among neighboring states, New Jersey has the lowest crime rate (1,457 per 100K). Maryland has the highest (4,163 per 100K).
Delaware in Regional Context
Delaware is safer than 1 of its 3 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #45 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the highest-crime quartile of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If Delaware differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Delaware's crime rate?
Delaware's total crime rate in 2024 is 4,097.7 per 100,000 residents, which is 49% above the national average of 2,752. This includes both violent crime (778.1 per 100K) and property crime (3,319.6 per 100K).
How safe is Delaware compared to other states?
Delaware ranks #45 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the highest-crime quartile nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in Delaware?
The safest city in Delaware is Middletown with a crime rate of 1,668 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in Delaware.
More Delaware Crime Data
Dive deeper into Delaware's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare Delaware cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.