Dover, NJ Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Dover Safe?
It's average — crime is at the national average
Crime rates are comparable to the national average. Being aware of your surroundings is advisable.
Dover has a crime rate that is 24% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 253.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 253
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
4% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 36
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
50% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Dover 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
|
142 | +42% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
94 | -6% | Average | |
|
Robbery
|
127 | +27% | Moderate | |
|
Rape
|
124 | +24% | Moderate | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
96 | -4% | Average | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
145 | +45% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
147 | +47% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Dover Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Dover Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Dover zip codes.
Dover Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Dover, NJ?
Dover, NJ has a crime safety grade of C as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 24% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 253 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 36 chance for property crime. Dover has higher crime than 81% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Dover, NJ safe to live in?
Dover has a moderate level of crime with a safety grade of C. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Dover is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Dover?
The estimated violent crime rate in Dover is 394.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 4% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 253 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 7.1 per 100K (42% above average); aggravated assault at 252.0 per 100K (6% below average); robbery at 94.0 per 100K (27% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Dover?
The estimated property crime rate in Dover is 2,757.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 50% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 36 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 258.8 per 100K (4% below average); larceny/theft at 2,030.5 per 100K (45% above average); vehicle theft at 468.0 per 100K (47% above average).
How does Dover crime compare to the national average?
Dover's overall crime rate is 24% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is vehicle theft (47% above average), while assault is 6% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Dover has higher crime than 81% of them.
Is Dover safe to visit?
Visitors to Dover should take standard urban precautions. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 50% 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 Dover crime compare to the rest of New Jersey?
New Jersey as a whole has crime that is 25% below the national average. Dover's crime rate is 24% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical New Jersey city.
What type of crime is most common in Dover?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Dover, with an estimated rate of 2,030.5 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 45% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (2,757 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (395 per 100K) in Dover, which is consistent with national trends.