Bethel, DE Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 95% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Bethel Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Bethel has a crime rate that is 103% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 129.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 129
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
104% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 24
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
130% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Bethel Crime Breakdown
Estimated crime rates based on FBI UCR data, calibrated to city-level crime score.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
215 | +115% | High | |
|
Assault
|
198 | +98% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
221 | +121% | High | |
|
Rape
|
217 | +117% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
212 | +112% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
213 | +113% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
209 | +109% | High | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Bethel Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Bethel Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Bethel zip codes.
Bethel Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Bethel, DE?
Bethel, DE has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 103% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 129 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 24 chance for property crime. Bethel has higher crime than 95% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Bethel, DE safe to live in?
Bethel has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Bethel is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Bethel?
The estimated violent crime rate in Bethel is 778.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 104% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 129 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 10.8 per 100K (115% above average); aggravated assault at 531.2 per 100K (98% above average); robbery at 163.1 per 100K (121% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Bethel?
The estimated property crime rate in Bethel is 4,221.2 per 100,000 residents, which is 130% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 24 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 571.0 per 100K (112% above average); larceny/theft at 2,982.7 per 100K (113% above average); vehicle theft at 667.5 per 100K (109% above average).
How does Bethel crime compare to the national average?
Bethel's overall crime rate is 103% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (121% above average), while assault is 98% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Bethel has higher crime than 95% of them.
Is Bethel safe to visit?
Visitors to Bethel should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 130% above average, which is typically the main concern for tourists. Avoid leaving valuables in vehicles, stay aware of your surroundings in unfamiliar areas, and stick to well-traveled neighborhoods.
How does Bethel crime compare to the rest of Delaware?
Delaware as a whole has crime that is 11% below the national average. Bethel's crime rate is 103% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Delaware city.
What type of crime is most common in Bethel?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Bethel, with an estimated rate of 2,982.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 113% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (4,221 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (778 per 100K) in Bethel, which is consistent with national trends.