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D

Is Wilmington, Delaware Safe?

Population 73,512 · Safer than 16% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Crime in Wilmington runs high. The city's D grade puts it below 84% of US cities, with violent crime above the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,490 per 100K.

Wilmington Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricWilmingtonDelaware AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate421.9337.0363.8
Property Crime Rate2289.12124.11,832.3
Murder Rate8.0--5.7
Assault Rate308.0--268.2
Theft Rate1490.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate458.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD

271.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

422/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2289/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Wilmington

Violent crime in Wilmington is above the national average. The rate of 421.9 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2289.1 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,490 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 308 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Wilmington Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder8
01.4x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault308
01.1x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery75
01.2x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary258
096% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,490
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft458
01.4x national avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Wilmington Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wilmington
421.9
State
337.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Wilmington
2289.1
State
2124.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Wilmington Safety

Is Wilmington safe?
Not especially. Wilmington earns a D with a crime rate of 271.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Wilmington?
271.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 421.9 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2289.1 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Wilmington safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Wilmington's D grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,490 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Wilmington?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Wilmington generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Wilmington police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Wilmington?
Crime rates have held steady in Wilmington, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D grade.
How does Wilmington compare to other cities in Delaware?
Below average for the state. Wilmington ranks behind about 86% of Delaware cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Wilmington to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Wilmington?
Bad. A D grade and 271.1 per-thousand rate put Wilmington below 84% of US cities. Violent crime at 422 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Wilmington?
421.9 per 100,000, which is 16% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (308), robbery (75), and murder (8.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Delaware

Similar-sized communities in Delaware. Compare crime rates across the state.

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See crime rates in Smyrna13,340 pop · Grade C-
View all Delaware city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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