Laurel, DE Crime Rate & Safety
Higher crime than 90% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Laurel Safe?
No — crime is noticeably above average
Choosing the right neighborhood is critical for personal safety.
Laurel has a crime rate that is 58% above the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 164.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 164
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
60% higher than national average
Property Crime
1 in 33
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
67% higher than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Laurel 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
|
184 | +84% | Moderate | |
|
Assault
|
138 | +38% | Moderate | |
|
Robbery
|
214 | +114% | High | |
|
Rape
|
214 | +114% | High | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
133 | +33% | Moderate | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
160 | +60% | Moderate | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
145 | +45% | Moderate | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Laurel Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Laurel Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Laurel zip codes.
Laurel Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Laurel, DE?
Laurel, DE has a crime safety grade of D+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 58% above the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 164 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 33 chance for property crime. Laurel has higher crime than 90% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Laurel, DE safe to live in?
Laurel has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Laurel is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Laurel?
The estimated violent crime rate in Laurel is 609.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 60% higher than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 164 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 9.2 per 100K (84% above average); aggravated assault at 371.0 per 100K (38% above average); robbery at 157.9 per 100K (114% above average).
What is the property crime rate in Laurel?
The estimated property crime rate in Laurel is 3,068.1 per 100,000 residents, which is 67% higher than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 33 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 358.5 per 100K (33% above average); larceny/theft at 2,246.7 per 100K (60% above average); vehicle theft at 462.9 per 100K (45% above average).
How does Laurel crime compare to the national average?
Laurel's overall crime rate is 58% above the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is robbery (114% above average), while burglary is 33% above average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Laurel has higher crime than 90% of them.
Is Laurel safe to visit?
Visitors to Laurel should be cautious, especially in high-crime neighborhoods. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 67% 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 Laurel crime compare to the rest of Delaware?
Delaware as a whole has crime that is 11% below the national average. Laurel's crime rate is 58% above the national average, making it more dangerous than the typical Delaware city.
What type of crime is most common in Laurel?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Laurel, with an estimated rate of 2,246.7 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 60% above the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (3,068 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (610 per 100K) in Laurel, which is consistent with national trends.