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C

Is Dover, New Hampshire Safe?

Population 34,623 · Safer than 35% of US cities

Declining· 2023 FBI UCR data

In a community of 34,623, each crime incident has a bigger statistical impact. Dover earns a C with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,555 per 100K.

Dover Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDoverNew Hampshire AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate381.6288.0363.8
Property Crime Rate1770.41921.31,832.3
Murder Rate3.0--5.7
Assault Rate257.0--268.2
Theft Rate1555.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate258.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyC

215.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC-

382/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeC

1770/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Dover

Violent crime in Dover is close to the national average. The rate of 381.6 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is close to the national average at 1770.4 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,555 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Dover Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder3
053% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault257
096% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery93
01.5x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary250
093% of avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,555
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft258
081% of avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Dover Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Dover
381.6
State
288.0
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Dover
1770.4
State
1921.3
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Dover Safety

Is Dover safe?
Not especially. Dover earns a C with a crime rate of 215.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Dover?
215.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 381.6 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 1770.4 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Dover safe for tourists?
Stick to well-traveled areas and you'll be fine. Dover has a C grade, so it's not the safest destination, but tourist areas generally see less violent crime than the citywide average suggests.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Dover?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Dover generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Dover police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Dover?
Yes, there's been an uptick. Dover's crime rates have moved in the wrong direction recently, though the city still holds a C grade overall.
How does Dover compare to other cities in New Hampshire?
Middle of the pack for New Hampshire. Dover isn't the safest option in the state, but it's not the most concerning either, ranking around the 42th percentile among New Hampshire cities.
How safe is Dover to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average. The upward trend in crime is concerning.
How bad is crime in Dover?
Mixed. Violent crime is close to the national average, and property crime is close to the national average. It's not great, but it's not the worst either, landing at the 35th percentile nationally.
What is the violent crime rate in Dover?
381.6 per 100,000, which is 5% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (257), robbery (93), and murder (3.0) per 100,000.

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View all New Hampshire 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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