Most Dangerous Cities in Delaware 2025

According to NIBRS, Violent crime in the United States is most likely to be committed in urban areas, Violent crime field is made up of rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and murder. To determine the most dangerous cities in Delaware in 2025, we have reviewed the number of violent crimes reported in 2022, 2021, 2020 per 1,000 residents, with data from the Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Wilmington being most populous city in Delaware registered 2,412 number of Violent cases other populous cities include Dewey Beach, Seaford, Rehoboth Beach, Laurel, Harrington, Milford, Millsboro, Dover and Georgetown.

Rank	Cities	Population	Violent Crimes	Violent Crimes	Change	Crime Rate
		2021	2020	2021	2020 - 2021	per 1000 persons
1	Dewey Beach	419	28	103	75	245.82
2	Seaford	8,392	403	498	95	59.34
3	Rehoboth Beach	1,622	78	89	11	54.87
4	Laurel	4,595	190	230	40	50.05
5	Harrington	3,672	177	181	4	49.29
6	Milford	12,582	435	517	82	41.09
7	Millsboro	4,753	163	190	27	39.97
8	Dover	38,439	1,237	1,410	173	36.68
9	Georgetown	7,945	259	275	16	34.61
10	Wilmington	70,331	2,405	2,412	7	34.29
11	Smyrna	12,383	266	387	121	31.25
12	Newport	871	36	26	-10	29.85
13	Camden	3,660	74	102	28	27.87
14	Bridgeville	2,487	35	63	28	25.33
15	Delmar	1,911	37	47	10	24.59
16	Cheswold	1,787	29	42	13	23.50
17	New Castle	5,419	87	121	34	22.33
18	Delaware City	1,852	49	37	-12	19.98
19	Selbyville	2,667	66	48	-18	18.00
20	Ellendale	457		8		17.51
21	Elsmere	5,741	92	95	3	16.55
22	Wyoming	1,695	29	26	-3	15.34
23	Newark	34,064	462	505	43	14.83
24	Greenwood	1,197	8	17	9	14.20
25	Milton	3,189	34	41	7	12.86
26	Lewes	3,479	38	43	5	12.36
27	Dagsboro	973	8	11	3	11.31
28	Clayton	3,707	24	41	17	11.06
29	Fenwick Island	468	3	5	2	10.68
30	Felton	1,447	14	15	1	10.37
31	Middletown	24,307	213	226	13	9.30
32	Frankford	1,039	4	8	4	7.70
33	South Bethany	557		3		5.39
34	Blades	1,526	4	8	4	5.24
35	Ocean View	2,290	21	6	-15	2.62

Top 10 most dangerous cities in Delaware

The top ten in most dangerous cities in Delaware in 2023 are Wilmington, Dewey Beach, Seaford, Rehoboth Beach, Laurel, Harrington, Milford, Millsboro, Dover and Georgetown. In any city Crime will not be everywhere, Most of the Crime is often concentrated in some of the neighbourhoods, we listed few cities to take extra care when you plan to move to the city and the area.

Dewey Beach population is 419. There are 103 crime cases in 2021, It is the most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 245.82 per 1000 residents in 2021. Dewey Beach recorded 1 Kidnapping, 2 sex offenses and in the crime against property there were 3 Motor vehicle theft, 1 Robbery, 21 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Seaford population is 8,392. There are 498 crime cases in 2021, It is the second most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 59.34 per 1000 residents in 2021. Seaford recorded 14 Kidnapping, 16 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 20 Motor vehicle theft, 13 Robbery, 262 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Rehoboth Beach population is 1,622. There are 89 crime cases in 2021, It is the third most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 54.87 per 1000 residents in 2021. Rehoboth Beach recorded 1 Kidnapping, 5 sex offenses, 2 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 4 Motor vehicle theft, 37 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Laurel population is 4,595. There are 230 crime cases in 2021, It is the fourth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 50.05 per 1000 residents in 2021. Laurel recorded 4 Kidnapping, 13 sex offenses, 6 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 11 Motor vehicle theft, 3 Robbery, 186 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Harrington population is 3,672. There are 181 crime cases in 2021, It is the fifth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 49.29 per 1000 residents in 2021. Harrington recorded 4 Kidnapping, 5 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 8 Motor vehicle theft, 48 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Milford population is 12,582. There are 517 crime cases in 2021, It is the sixth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 41.09 per 1000 residents in 2021. Milford recorded 3 Kidnapping, 25 sex offenses, 4 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 9 Motor vehicle theft, 14 Robbery, 343 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Millsboro population is 4,753. There are 190 crime cases in 2021, It is the seventh most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 39.97 per 1000 residents in 2021. Millsboro recorded 19 sex offenses, 3 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 4 Motor vehicle theft, 4 Robbery, 120 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Dover population is 38,439. There are 1,410 crime cases in 2021, It is the eighth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 36.68 per 1000 residents in 2021. Dover recorded 4 Homicides, 14 Kidnapping, 61 sex offenses, 20 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 2 Arson, 82 Motor vehicle theft, 24 Robbery, 734 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Georgetown population is 7,945. There are 275 crime cases in 2021, It is the ninth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 34.61 per 1000 residents in 2021. Georgetown recorded 1 Kidnapping, 14 sex offenses, 2 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 10 Motor vehicle theft, 12 Robbery, 103 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Wilmington population is 70,331. There are 2,412 crime cases in 2021, It is the tenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 34.29 per 1000 residents in 2021. Wilmington recorded 40 Homicides, 25 Kidnapping, 35 sex offenses, 4 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 3 Arson, 428 Motor vehicle theft, 220 Robbery, 737 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Smyrna population is 12,383. There are 387 crime cases in 2021, It is the eleventh most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 31.25 per 1000 residents in 2021. Smyrna recorded 2 Homicides, 8 Kidnapping, 28 sex offenses, 7 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 19 Motor vehicle theft, 2 Robbery, 233 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Newport population is 871. There are 26 crime cases in 2021, It is the twelfth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 29.85 per 1000 residents in 2021. Newport recorded crime against property were 2 Motor vehicle theft, 1 Robbery, 119 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Camden population is 3,660. There are 102 crime cases in 2021, It is the thirteenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 27.87 per 1000 residents in 2021. Camden recorded 7 sex offenses, 3 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 7 Motor vehicle theft, 2 Robbery, 21 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Bridgeville population is 2,487. There are 63 crime cases in 2021, It is the fourteenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 25.33 per 1000 residents in 2021. Bridgeville recorded 2 Homicides, 1 Kidnapping, 3 sex offenses, and in the crime against property there were 2 Motor vehicle theft, 28 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Delmar population is 1,911. There are 47 crime cases in 2021, It is the fifteenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 24.59 per 1000 residents in 2021. Delmar recorded 1 Kidnapping, 2 sex offenses, and in the crime against property there were 22 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Cheswold population is 1,787. There are 42 crime cases in 2021, It is the sixteenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 23.50 per 1000 residents in 2021. Cheswold recorded 2 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 1 Motor vehicle theft, 1 Robbery, 10 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

New Castle population is 5,419. There are 121 crime cases in 2021, It is the seventeenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 22.33 per 1000 residents in 2021. New Castle recorded 1 Homicides, 2 sex offenses, 1 Rape cases, and in the crime against property there were 13 Motor vehicle theft, 6 Robbery, 48 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Delaware City population is 1,852. There are 37 crime cases in 2021, It is the eighteenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 19.98 per 1000 residents in 2021. Delaware City recorded 2 sex offenses, and in the crime against property there were 1 Arson, 2 Robbery, 3 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Selbyville population is 2,667. There are 48 crime cases in 2021, It is the nineteenth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 18.00 per 1000 residents in 2021. Selbyville recorded 2 Kidnapping, and in the crime against property there were 6 Motor vehicle theft, 3 Robbery, 48 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Ellendale population is 457. There are 8 crime cases in 2021, It is the twentieth most dangerous cities in Delaware by 2023, Violent crime occur at the rate of about 17.51 per 1000 residents in 2021. Ellendale recorded 1 sex offenses, and in the crime against property there were 1 Drug/Narcotic offenses.

Delaware Offenses(Crime/Property/Social) in 2021

Below are the Delaware Offenses in 2021, detailed by Violent and Property Crimes, Violent cases include Assault, Homicides, Sex Offences, Rape, Arson, Motor Vehicle Theft, Robbery, Drug and Narcotic cases. Property Crimes in Delaware include Burglary, Breaking, Property Vandalism, Arson, Motor Vehicle Theft and other offenses.

Rank (Total Offenses)	Cities	Population (2021)	Violent Crime	Property Crimes	Society Crimes	Total Offenses	Assault	Homicide	Kidnappings	Sex Offenses	Rape	Arson	Motor Vehicle Theft	Robbery	Drug/Narcotic	Total Offenses per 1000
1	Dewey Beach	419	103	93	23	219	100	0	1	2	0	0	3	1	21	522.67
2	Newport	871	26	73	150	249	26	0	0	0	0	0	2	1	119	285.88
3	Seaford	8,392	498	824	304	1,626	468	0	14	16	1	1	20	13	262	193.76
4	Rehoboth Beach	1,622	89	175	39	303	83	0	1	5	2	0	4	0	37	186.81
5	Laurel	4,595	230	307	215	752	213	0	4	13	6	0	11	3	186	163.66
6	Millsboro	4,753	190	367	129	686	171	0	0	19	3	0	4	4	120	144.33
7	Milford	12,582	517	828	389	1,734	489	0	3	25	4	1	9	14	343	137.82
8	Wilmington	70,331	2,412	5,650	1,361	9,423	2,312	40	25	35	4	3	428	220	737	133.98
9	Dover	38,439	1,410	2,384	929	4,723	1,331	4	14	61	20	2	82	24	734	122.87
10	Harrington	3,672	181	181	56	418	172	0	4	5	1	0	8	0	48	113.83
11	Georgetown	7,945	275	498	123	896	260	0	1	14	2	1	10	12	103	112.78
12	Camden	3,660	102	282	23	407	95	0	0	7	3	0	7	2	21	111.20
13	Smyrna	12,383	387	677	268	1,332	349	2	8	28	7	0	19	2	233	107.57
14	New Castle	5,419	121	372	55	548	118	1	0	2	1	0	13	6	48	101.13
15	Dagsboro	973	11	38	43	92	10	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	38	94.55
16	Selbyville	2,667	48	125	56	229	46	0	2	0	0	0	6	3	48	85.86
17	Fenwick Island	468	5	27	8	40	5	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	6	85.47
18	Ellendale	457	8	25	3	36	7	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	1	78.77
19	Cheswold	1,787	42	81	11	134	40	0	0	2	1	0	1	1	10	74.99
20	Delmar	1,911	47	54	29	130	44	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	22	68.03
21	Elsmere	5,741	95	215	73	383	91	1	3	0	0	0	14	10	52	66.71
22	Bridgeville	2,487	63	70	32	165	57	2	1	3	0	0	2	0	28	66.34
23	Delaware City	1,852	37	77	5	119	35	0	0	2	0	1	0	2	3	64.25
24	Newark	34,064	505	1,274	220	1,999	479	1	6	19	3	1	38	26	189	58.68
25	Milton	3,189	41	92	51	184	40	0	1	0	0	0	6	1	47	57.70
26	Middletown	24,307	226	968	90	1,284	219	0	3	4	0	0	30	5	66	52.82
27	Wyoming	1,695	26	43	17	86	21	0	3	2	0	0	4	0	14	50.74
28	Lewes	3,479	43	100	11	154	38	0	2	3	2	0	1	0	8	44.27
29	Clayton	3,707	41	93	21	155	35	1	1	4	2	0	0	1	19	41.81
30	South Bethany	557	3	14	6	23	3	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	5	41.29
31	Felton	1,447	15	35	8	58	15	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	6	40.08
32	Greenwood	1,197	17	18	12	47	17	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	9	39.26
33	Frankford	1,039	8	24	2	34	6	1	0	1	0	0	2	1	1	32.72
34	Ocean View	2,290	6	50	6	62	5	0	0	1	1	0	0	0	5	27.07
35	Blades	1,526	8	27	2	37	7	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	24.25
36	Frederica	869	0	8	0	8	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	9.21

Crime data in Delaware State Universities

Rank (Total Offenses)	Universities	Population (2021)	Violent Crime	Property Crimes	Society Crimes	Total Offenses	Assault	Homicide	Kidnappings	Sex Offenses	Rape	Arson	Motor Vehicle Theft	Robbery	Drug/Narcotic	Total Offenses per 1000
1	Delaware State University	5,263	40	76	24	140	35	0	0	5	4	0	1	0	21	26.60
2	University of Delaware	26,527	31	211	41	283	26	0	0	5	3	0	0	2	39	10.67