The 10 Most Dangerous Cities In Delaware

The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Delaware For 2025

When it comes to the community’s current highlights, we doubt anyone is bragging about its highest place rank for rape and second highest place rank for total crime in Delaware. In 2024, Seaford was lowest on this list. Its number 1 spot in 2025 suggests crime is trending down. If that pattern continues, high rates of lawlessness may even be a thing of the past someday.

Life in the area is not all bad though. This city is proud of its history, which visitors and residents alike can immerse themselves in at the Seaford Museum. Now that is a comforting thought to enjoy as you stroll along the nearby Nanticoke River.

Dover is headed in the wrong direction. The state’s capital was formerly the second most dangerous city in Delaware but is now the second.

A problem with property crime is partly to blame for the change. The second largest city on this list must have a decent population of people who enjoy playing with fire. More arson occurred in this community than any other one included in this countdown.

Being out and about in Dover is not safe either. Be sure to keep tabs on personal items when seeing sights like the Dover International Speedway. If you do not, you might join the 2,234 people who were victims of larceny in 2024 and discover that possessions like your phone or wallet are missing.

Georgetown has come a long way since 2024 as it now ranks as the third most dangerous city in Delaware. The Sussex county seat still has plenty of work to do though. Getting a grip on violent crime would be a good start.

During its traditional Return Day gathering, the town celebrates the notion of burying the hatchet. But ironically, residents and visitors seem to have a knack for ruffling each other’s feathers every other time of year. In 2025, there were 46 aggravated assaults in Georgetown.

If you do manage to avoid the violence, your belongings may not fare much better. The area ranks 1st in Delaware for burglary.

Do not be deceived by the small-town charm of the first city on this list. You may want to watch your back in Laurel. Crime in this southern Delaware town is considerably higher than the national average.

Your possessions are most in trouble here. The community is number 4 in the state for burglaries. So, it might not be a bad idea to invest in extra home security if you live in Laurel. After a good night’s sleep, you can head out for a day at one of Delaware’s first state parks, Trap Pond. The wetland forest attracts hikers, bird-watchers, and fans of fishing.

Just make sure you keep an eye on those around you. Laurel ranks highest for violent crime.

Milford is a mid-sized city in Kent and Sussex counties. A fifth highest place rank for property crime in Delaware helped it land a spot on this list.

People here just cannot seem to keep their hands off items that belong to others. There were 425 larcenies, 44 burglaries, and 43 car thefts in 2024.

Your property is not all you have to worry about. The area has also been plagued by 111 violent crimes.

That is enough to make any resident want to get away from it all with a trip to Milford’s DuPont Nature Center or Abbott’s Mill Nature Center.

A prime location between New York and Washington, D.C. draws people here but the criminal activity just might drive you away. This community does not snag the top spot as most dangerous, but it leads in plenty of other categories including violent and property crimes.

Wilmington’s 71,958 residents make it the most populous city in the state. The area is also the deadliest on this list. There were 25 murders recorded here in 2024. But shockingly enough, crime may be improving. In 2024, the community was the third most dangerous city in Delaware.

If you can handle the risks that come with being here, there is plenty to do in neighborhoods like the Riverfront.

Head out of Delaware’s capital city of Dover going southwest on Highway 13 and you’ll pass by Camden. Why would you do that? We don’t know. The beaches are in the other direction. But maybe you want to check out parts of Maryland and Virginia that people don’t tend to visit.

Whatever the reason, be careful if you stop for gas. Camden has its crime problems. In fact, it represents the number 7 most dangerous community in Delaware. Violence isn’t a massive problem here, but keep an eye on your belongings. The town ranks number 4 in terms of highest rate of property crimes.

New Castle is only a short drive from downtown Wilmington. When exploring it, you may feel slightly at ease knowing that the area dropped in rank from the eighth most dangerous city in Delaware in 2024 to the ninth for 2025.

However, property crime is a major problem for this community, which ranks sixth highest in the state for it. In fact, the rate of property crime in New Castle is considerably above the national average. If that is not shocking enough, you have a one in 28 chance of being a victim of one.

Violent crime certainly exists here too but it was not as much of an issue in 2024.

Though no one was robbed or killed in 2024, the year of the most recent data, crime appears to be on the rise in Millsboro. The town’s tenth place position on this list is a far cry from its previous ranking as the tenth most dangerous city in Delaware.

The area had 33 violent crimes in 2024, but 1 of those were rapes. Sadly, the town ranks 11th highest in the state for that offense.

When it comes to property crime, in 2024, nearly the same number took place in Millsboro as in Laurel. The two communities also have a population that is nearly identical in size.

An upside to this unnerving area is its proximity to Bethany Beach, Rehoboth Beach, and Dewey Beach. All three are close by for a quick getaway when things start to seem too grim.

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