Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Delaware (2025)

Delaware might be small, but when it comes to crime, certain cities in the First State pack a punch. While many parts of Delaware are safe and peaceful, others consistently rank high for violent crime, property crime, or both. If you’re considering a move, planning a visit, or just curious, here’s a detailed breakdown of the most dangerous cities in Delaware—ranked from #1 to #10.

Let’s dive into the data and discover which cities made the list.

Most Dangerous Cities in Delaware

1. Wilmington

Violent Crime Rate: 1,285 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 4,896 per 100,000
Population: ~70,000

Wilmington takes the #1 spot as the most dangerous city in Delaware, and not without reason. Known as the state’s largest city and economic hub, Wilmington struggles with violent crimes like shootings, assaults, and robberies.

At its peak, the city was once dubbed “Murder Town USA.” While crime has dropped in recent years, it still leads the state in both violent and property crime. High poverty levels, gang activity, and urban decay continue to contribute to safety challenges.

Notable neighborhoods to avoid at night: Hilltop, East Side, and parts of Southbridge.

2. Seaford

Violent Crime Rate: 1,012 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 5,164 per 100,000
Population: ~7,800

Don’t let Seaford’s small size fool you. It ranks #2 on our list of most dangerous cities in Delaware. Despite being in Sussex County—a region generally considered more laid-back—Seaford deals with high levels of violent crimes, including domestic violence, drug-related assaults, and burglary.

With one of the highest property crime rates per capita in the state, residents report frequent car break-ins, shoplifting, and vandalism.

3. Milford

Violent Crime Rate: 870 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 4,414 per 100,000
Population: ~11,500

Milford comes in at #3 on our list of dangerous places in Delaware. A city that straddles both Kent and Sussex counties, Milford is often seen as a growing family-friendly suburb—but it’s not immune to crime.

The city battles issues like armed robbery, aggravated assault, and drug distribution, especially in certain pockets with economic challenges.

Crime is concentrated in a few neighborhoods, so choosing the right area makes a big difference for safety.

4. Dover

Violent Crime Rate: 722 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 5,208 per 100,000
Population: ~37,800

As Delaware’s capital city, Dover sees more activity, traffic, and crime than many of its peers. Ranking #4 on our list of most dangerous cities in Delaware, Dover reports high levels of aggravated assault, property theft, and car-related crimes.

Downtown Dover and the surrounding urban core are crime hot spots, though suburbs like Camden and Wyoming are safer. Local police have implemented new tech and patrol systems, but challenges persist, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods.

5. Georgetown

Violent Crime Rate: 670 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 5,040 per 100,000
Population: ~7,400

As the county seat of Sussex County, Georgetown ranks #5 among Delaware’s most dangerous cities. This town sees a significant amount of crime relative to its size, particularly theft, assault, and disorderly conduct.

Tourists may feel safe during the day, but locals know the crime stats tell another story. The city’s growing population and limited law enforcement resources add to the pressure.

6. New Castle

Violent Crime Rate: 561 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 3,982 per 100,000
Population: ~5,300

Next up is New Castle, a historic city located just south of Wilmington. With aging infrastructure and a small-town feel, you might not expect crime to be an issue—but New Castle takes the #6 spot for a reason.

Robberies, home invasions, and petty thefts are common here. While not as intense as Wilmington or Dover, New Castle’s crime rates are still well above the state average.

7. Elsmere

Violent Crime Rate: 392 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 2,023 per 100,000
Population: ~5,800

Just west of Wilmington, Elsmere is a small town that suffers from spillover crime. Ranking #7, Elsmere experiences moderate violent crime and higher-than-average property crime.

With limited law enforcement and social services, even minor issues can quickly escalate. Residents often complain about car thefts, domestic disputes, and juvenile delinquency.

8. Smyrna

Violent Crime Rate: 356 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 2,703 per 100,000
Population: ~11,700

Smyrna may seem like a peaceful town on the surface, but it lands at #8 on our list due to a recent uptick in assaults and thefts. With its proximity to both Dover and Wilmington, the town sometimes finds itself caught in the middle of regional crime activity.

Most crimes are non-violent, but reports of domestic violence and vehicle break-ins are increasing.

9. Newark

Violent Crime Rate: 253 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 2,094 per 100,000
Population: ~33,800

Home to the University of Delaware, Newark ranks #9 among the most dangerous cities in Delaware. While it has a more positive reputation than others on this list, the influx of college students leads to an increase in alcohol-related crimes, petty theft, and property damage.

During the academic year, crime spikes around party weekends and events. However, compared to cities higher on this list, Newark is considered fairly safe overall.

10. Middletown

Violent Crime Rate: 217 per 100,000
Property Crime Rate: 2,060 per 100,000
Population: ~22,300

Rounding out our list is Middletown, a fast-growing suburb located in New Castle County. Once considered one of Delaware’s safest towns, recent development and population growth have led to a rise in crime.

Violent crimes are still low, but property crimes like package theft and vehicle break-ins have become more common—especially in newer housing developments.

State Crime Trends & Broader Patterns

Across Delaware from 2013 to 2023: property crime declined ~40%, violent crime dropped ~24%. Yet aggravated assault and motor vehicle theft increased relative to national trends
Regional ranking: Delaware held the 4th-highest violent crime rate and the 3rd-highest property crime rate in the eastern U.S.

Why These Cities Are More Dangerous

Several overlapping factors heighten crime in Delaware’s riskiest cities:

Socio‑economic stressors: higher poverty, limited access to quality jobs, and economic downturn link to increased violent and property crime.
Urban environment: Wilmington and Dover face classic urban challenges—concentrated poverty, gang activity, drug markets.
Resource constraints: smaller towns like Seaford or Milford often face stretched police presence, limited social services, and fewer prevention programs.
Demographic shifts: some towns face drug addiction–related property crime alongside seasonal spikes (e.g., tourism in beach areas)

Efforts to Improve Safety

Delaware isn’t standing still:

Wilmington has deployed CompStat crime‑mapping and stepped-up community policing; shootings dropped sharply post‑2017.
State agencies such as the Statistical Analysis Center produce annual Crime in Delaware reports. The latest (2019–2023) and executive brief were issued in November 2024, providing insights used by policymakers and law enforcement.
At a community level, local coalitions and nonprofits in Seaford, Dover, and Georgetown partner with law enforcement to tackle root causes like youth violence and substance misuse.
Public awareness tools like CrimeMapping.com and CompStat reports let residents monitor local crime and participate in neighborhood responses

Conclusion

While Delaware is relatively safe compared to states with major metro areas, it’s clear that crime is concentrated in specific cities. Wilmington, Seaford, and Dover remain hotspots for violent incidents, while towns like Milford and Georgetown struggle with property crime