Delaware’s Safest Cities of 2025

Cathy Habas
Mar 17, 2025
Icon Time To Read3 min read
Icon CheckData Analysis ByDaniel Delgado

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11th annual Safest Cities report banner

Here are the 5 Safest Cities in Delaware for 2025

See crime rates for the safest cities.

According to our 11th annual State of Safety survey, Delaware residents feel safer in their state these days. They reported fewer first-hand experiences with violent crime and gun violence, but property crime and package theft seems to be on the rise. Most of Delaware's 5 safest cities experienced a similar trend.

In this report

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NOTE: If your city is missing from our full report, it means that it was below the population threshold or didn’t submit a complete crime report to the FBI in 2023.

Do people feel safe in Delaware? Survey insights for 2025

Bar chart comparing how safe Delaware residents feel, with 50% feeling safe versus the 48% national average.

Bar chart comparing how safe Delaware residents feel, with 50% feeling safe versus the 48% national average. Image: SafeWise

We didn't have enough data to accurately calculate statewide crime rates this year, but we can look at the results of our annual State of Safety survey to catch a glimpse of crime trends throughout Delaware.

Half of all Delaware residents feel safe in the state, which is a little higher than the national average of 48%. The majority believe crime is increasing, but there's growing support for the idea that crime is slowing down. 

Our State of Safety survey results suggest violent crime and gun violence are dropping in The First State while property crime and package theft is on the rise. The majority of Delaware's five safest cities experienced similar trends.

Find safety and security resources in Delaware.

Property crime in Delaware: Fear vs. reality

Our State of Safety survey results show Delaware residents are slightly less worried about property crime year over year. However, first-hand property crime experiences increased. Meanwhile, package theft concern and experiences are on the rise.

  • 56% of Delawareans said they worry about property crime on a daily basis, down from 58% the previous year and slightly higher than the national average of 54%.
  • 27% of Delawareans said they experienced a property crime in the 8 months prior to our survey, up from 18% the previous year and on par with the national average.
  • Delaware residents worry about package theft more than the average American (DE 58%, US 52%) but are less likely to experience it first-hand (DE 36%, US 37%).
  • Of the Delawareans who use property protection, most prefer security cameras (62%), security systems (38%), or guard dogs (37%).
  • Delaware residents reported the highest use of security cameras in the country.
  • The percentage of Delawareans who increased their security measures jumped from 28% in our previous report to 42%. 
"I wanted to cover all the blind spots around my property."
—Delaware resident*

What security measures are used most in Delaware?

Top security measures used in Delaware: security cameras, security systems, and guard dogs, compared to national trends.

Top security measures used in Delaware: security cameras, security systems, and guard dogs, compared to national trends. Image: SafeWise


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Brand
Installation
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Best for
Self-monitoring option
Starter equipment price
Contract required
Smart home compatibility Icon Tooltip  Dark
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Icon Yes  LightYes
$249.96NoAmazon,
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DIY or ProBest customer rating
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Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Read full disclaimer. *ADT $28.99 for landline system only. Full ADT disclaimer


What crimes are Delaware residents concerned about most?

Bar chart of top crime concerns in Delaware, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates.

Bar chart of top crime concerns in Delaware, showing violent crime, property crime, gun violence, and package theft rates. Image: SafeWise

Violent crime in Delaware: Fear vs. reality

Worries about violent crime have risen slightly in Delaware while personal experiences have dropped for the second year in a row. 

  • Nearly 6 out of 10 (58%) Delaware respondents said they're highly concerned about violent crime.
  • 8% claimed to have experienced violent crime in the 8 months prior to the survey, down from 14% last year.
  • Delaware residents reported the second lowest percentage of violent crime experiences in the US, tying with Iowa, Nebraska, and Vermont at 8%. South Dakota claims the lowest percentage (6%).
  • Of the 35% who use some form of personal protection, most Delaware residents prefer pepper spray (18%) and pocket knives (14%).
  • Compared to the average American, Delawareans are more likely to use a whistle or personal alarm (DE 8%, US 4%), stun gun (DE 11%, US 8%), self defense keychain (DE 10%, US 7%), and personal safety app (DE 5%, US 4%).
"My biggest concern is trespassers on our property. I worry that I will be alone in our yard and be approached by a stranger. It makes me anxious to take my children outside alone."
—Delaware resident*

Attitudes about gun violence in Delaware

  • 57% of Delaware residents worry about gun violence on a daily basis, which matches the national sentiment.
  • 5% experienced gun violence in the 8 months prior to the survey, tying Delaware with Rhode Island and Nebraska for the smallest percentage nationwide.
  • Delawareans' reported gun violence experiences fell by 7 percentage points year over year.
  • 2 mass shooting events occurred in Delaware during 2024, up from 1 incident in 2023.
  • Of the Delawareans who use some form of personal protection, 12% use a concealed firearm (15% US).
"At least once a week there are reports of gun shots near my neighborhood. It's usually not too close, but it is close enough that it is a problem."
—Delaware resident*

*Quotes collected from our latest State of Safety survey.

A closer look at the safest cities in Delaware

For the purposes of this report, the terms “dangerous” and “safest” refer explicitly to crime rates as calculated from FBI crime data—no other characterization of any community is implied or intended.

  • 18 Delaware cities met the criteria to be considered for ranking.
  • Clayton, which fell to second place in the 2024 report after a three-year reign in the top spot, is once again the safest city in Delaware.
  • Middletown was the only safest city to see a drop in both violent crime and property crime year over year.
  • All 5 cities reported 0 murders.
  • Lewes reported 0 rapes, robberies, and motor vehicle thefts.
  • The #5 city, Newark, is the third-largest city in Delaware, which makes its low per capita crime rates even more impressive.

The 5 safest cities in Delaware

Map of the safest cities in Delaware for 2025, listing top 5 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data.

Map of the safest cities in Delaware for 2025, listing top 5 ranked cities based on SafeWise crime data. Image: SafeWise

Clayton, Delaware
#1
Clayton
(
+1
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    4,351
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.6, 0.7, 1.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    4.8, 7.7, 5.7
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Milton, Delaware
#2
Milton
(
-1
Down
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    3,698
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.6, 1.1, 2.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    8.1, 4.5, 11.0
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Lewes, Delaware
#3
Lewes
(
-0-
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    3,647
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    1.4, 2.3, 2.9
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    11.8, 10.8, 11.2
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Middletown, Delaware
#4
Middletown
(
+2
Up
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    25,387
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.1, 3.7, 2.5
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    18.1, 18.5, 18.5
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime
Newark, Delaware
#5
Newark
(
-0-
)
  • Circle Population
    Population
    30,379
  • Circle Gun
    VC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    2.5, 2.7, 2.8
  • Circle Property
    PC Rate 2025, 2024, 2023
    19.1, 21.9, 18.6
  • Info
    VC=Violent crime, PC=Property crime

How we determined the safest cities

Learn how we identified the safest cities on our methodology page.

How to make a safe home anywhere

Over 6 in 10 Americans surveyed don't have a home security system, despite over 50% of all burglaries being residential. Unfortunately, a majority of people who have a security system added it after they had a break-in. One of the best ways to stop a burglary before it happens—and get immediate help if a break-in is detected—is to add a monitored home security system.

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Get a home security system

Find out which companies we recommend for every budget and lifestyle in our roundup of the best security systems—and learn the basics of how to choose a security system

Compare top security systems

Brand
Installation type
Self-monitoring option
Monthly cost Icon Tooltip  Dark
Contract required
Learn more
SimpliSafe
DIY
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No
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No *
Cove
DIY
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No *
ADT Shield
Pro
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Yes

Info current as of post date. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change. Full ADT disclaimer

Find the safest cities in each state

Click on the state below to check out the safest cities for each state.

Find all endnotes and sources in our full methodology.

FBI Crime Data Explorer, "Documents & Downloads." Accessed March 17, 2025.

  • 2023 Crime in the United States Annual Reports
    • Offenses Known to Law Enforcement
  • 2023 NIBRS Estimation Tables

Bureau of Justice Statistics, "National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)." Accessed March 17, 2025.

Gun Violence Archive, "Mass Shootings." Accessed March 17, 2025.

Cathy Habas
Written by
With over eight years of experience as a content writer, Cathy has a knack for untangling complex information. Her natural curiosity and ability to empathize help Cathy offer insightful, friendly advice. She believes in empowering readers who may not feel confident about a purchase, project, or topic. Cathy earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Indiana University Southeast and began her professional writing career immediately after graduation. She is a certified Safe Sleep Ambassador and has contributed to sites like Safety.com, Reviews.com, Hunker, and Thumbtack. Cathy’s pride and joy is her Appaloosa “Chacos.” She also likes to crochet while watching stand-up comedy specials on Netflix.

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