Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that Delaware is a safe state and the crime rate is below the national average. However, as in any other place in the world, there are still some strengths and weaknesses and it is always helpful to know the crime rate in Delaware.
Overall Crime Rates
However, the FBI’s crime statistics reveal that violent crime in Delaware in 2020 was 398 incidents per 100,000 residents. This rate is much lower than the nationwide average of about 373 violent crimes per 100 thousand inhabitants. Another measure of safety is that there is a relatively low property crime of 1,700 cases per 100000 residents, which is less than the national average of 2,200. Although there was a small increase in crime statistics over the past few years, which is true for most other states as well, Delaware still has comparatively low overall crime rates per capita.
Violent Crimes
Violent crime that involves killing, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault among clients is also considered. While Delaware ranks among the States with high homicide rates other types of violent crimes are not as prevalent. The homicide rate was 4 per 100000 residents which is nearly twice as many as the national rate of the United States. However, the actual number was far from the national average; there were 33 robberies and 176 aggravated assaults per 100,000 people in 2020. While homicides are found to be higher, other violent crimes seem to contribute to the fact that Delaware is not among the states with high violent crime rates.
Property Crimes
Violent crimes such as murder, forcible rape, and robbery are rare, making up only a small portion of crimes in Delaware, while property crimes like burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft are more common. However, the rate of such crimes in Delaware is still lower than in the entire United States. Delaware had rates of 700.5 burglaries, 1,300.6 larceny, and 100.3 motor vehicle thefts per 100,000 residents in 2020. The efforts aimed at property protection can also contribute to the decrease of such figures.
Geographic Differences
Delaware itself can register oscillations in crime rates depending on the areas under consideration. The given state reveals a high number of offenses, and the majority of them are registered in the city of Wilmington. Comparing the current situation in Wilmington to the rest of Delaware, violent crime rates are higher by 4.6 times. Other cities of Delaware which include Dover, Newark, and Seaford also indicate higher incidences of crime compared to the suburban and rural regions. Hence, while Delaware might have been noted as having relatively low crime rates, it is also important to note that the risks of crime are more concentrated in urban centers.
Trends Over Time
Delaware has been able to stay beneath or near the national average for crime rates for more than a decade. However, it can be noted that crime levels have somewhat risen in the state in the last few years. Violent crime increased by approximately over 16% in the period between 2016 and 2020, and property crime also saw a slight increase in the same period. If such trends are sustained, Delaware could find itself in the safer states bracket in the future. This means that specific measures in crime prevention can reduce the situation of a rising trend experienced in the recent past.
In Closing
Despite property offenses being rampant and the overall violent crime rate in urban areas below other parts of the state, there remain some areas for safety improvement. However, its lower comparison per capita crime rate as compared to almost all other states proves Delaware is one of the safest places to live in the United States. By focusing on the crime rates’ geographical distribution and their fluctuations over time, the citizens of Delaware and the policymakers can further enhance the ongoing efforts to decrease crime rates.
