Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Violent crime rate
1990–2023FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
Crime Rate
Delaware recorded a violent crime rate of 395 per 100,000 residents in 2023, above the national average, with most incidents concentrated in Wilmington. Property crime also exceeds the U.S. average at 1,720 per 100,000.
Violent + property crime rate
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate (per 100k) | 395 | 363 |
- •Wilmington accounts for a disproportionate share of Delaware's violent crime despite having under 7% of the state population.
Violent Crime
Delaware's violent crime rate reached 395 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023, higher than the U.S. average of 363. Aggravated assault makes up the largest share of violent offenses statewide.
Violent crime rate, Delaware
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
Violent crime rate, U.S.
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Violent crime rate (per 100k) | 395 | 363 |
- •Delaware's violent crime rate has fluctuated notably over the past decade, peaking around 2020-2021.
Property Crime
Delaware's property crime rate was 1,720 per 100,000 residents in 2023, below the U.S. average of 1,954. Larceny-theft remains the most common property offense statewide.
Property crime rate, Delaware
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, property offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
Property crime rate, U.S.
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, property offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Property crime rate (per 100k) | 1720 | 1954 |
- •Motor vehicle theft has risen in Delaware in recent years, mirroring a nationwide trend.
Homicides
Delaware recorded a homicide rate of 6.2 per 100,000 residents in 2023, close to the national figure. Most homicides occur in Wilmington and are linked to firearm violence.
Homicide rate, Delaware
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
Homicide rate, U.S.
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate (per 100k) | 6.2 | 6 |
- •Wilmington has earned the nickname "Murder Town USA" in past media coverage due to its high homicide rate relative to its size.
Police Officers
Delaware employs roughly 1,700 sworn law enforcement officers across state, county, and municipal agencies, led by the Delaware State Police. Staffing levels have remained relatively stable in recent years.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Police officers | 1700 | 2400 |
- •The Delaware State Police, founded in 1919, is one of the oldest state police agencies in the U.S.
Public Safety Indicators
Delaware's public safety profile combines an above-average violent crime rate with a below-average property crime rate. State incarceration rates remain close to the national median.
| Indicator | Delaware | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Incarceration rate (per 100k) | 330 | 350 |
- •Delaware operates a unified correctional system managed entirely at the state level, unlike most states.