Lewes, DE Crime Rate & Safety
Lower crime than 76% of major U.S. cities
Based on FBI UCR & local law enforcement data · Updated April 2026
Is Lewes Safe?
Yes — Lewes is safer than most cities
An above-average city for safety with lower crime than the national average.
Lewes has a crime rate that is 40% below the national average. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is 1 in 464.
Crime Index Comparison
100 = national average. Calibrated to reflect actual crime severity.
Your Chance of Being a Victim
Violent Crime
1 in 464
chance per year
National average: 1 in 263
43% lower than national average
Property Crime
1 in 101
chance per year
National average: 1 in 55
46% lower than national average
Want to know the crime risk at your exact address?
Lewes 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
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
|
Assault
|
68 | -32% | Low | |
|
Robbery
|
19 | -81% | Low | |
|
Rape
|
48 | -52% | Low | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
39 | -61% | Low | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
51 | -49% | Low | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
54 | -46% | Low | |
Violent vs Property Crime
Crime Index by Category
Lewes Crime Map
Neighborhood-level crime heatmap. Click any area for details.
See the crime score for a specific address
Lewes Crime by Zip Code
Explore crime data for specific Lewes zip codes.
Lewes Demographics & Context
Racial Demographics
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Lewes, DE?
Lewes, DE has a crime safety grade of B+ as of 2026. The overall crime rate is estimated to be 40% below the national average. Residents face approximately a 1 in 464 chance of being a victim of violent crime per year and a 1 in 101 chance for property crime. Lewes has lower crime than 76% of major U.S. cities (population 50,000+).
Is Lewes, DE safe to live in?
Lewes is generally considered a safe place to live, earning a crime grade of B+. However, safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Researching specific neighborhoods before moving to or visiting Lewes is strongly recommended.
What is the violent crime rate in Lewes?
The estimated violent crime rate in Lewes is 215.3 per 100,000 residents, which is 43% lower than the national average. This means residents have roughly a 1 in 464 chance of becoming a violent crime victim each year. Key violent crime rates include: murder at 2.7 per 100K (46% below average); aggravated assault at 182.8 per 100K (32% below average); robbery at 13.7 per 100K (81% below average).
What is the property crime rate in Lewes?
The estimated property crime rate in Lewes is 989.5 per 100,000 residents, which is 46% lower than the national average. Residents have roughly a 1 in 101 chance of being a property crime victim per year. Key property crime rates include: burglary at 105.2 per 100K (61% below average); larceny/theft at 712.3 per 100K (49% below average); vehicle theft at 172.0 per 100K (46% below average).
How does Lewes crime compare to the national average?
Lewes's overall crime rate is 40% below the national average as of 2026. The biggest concern is assault (32% below average), while robbery is 81% below average. Compared to other major U.S. cities, Lewes has lower crime than 76% of them.
Is Lewes safe to visit?
Lewes is generally safe for visitors and tourists. Property crime (theft, vehicle break-ins) is 46% below 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 Lewes crime compare to the rest of Delaware?
Delaware as a whole has crime that is 11% below the national average. Lewes's crime rate is 40% below the national average, making it safer the typical Delaware city.
What type of crime is most common in Lewes?
Larceny/theft is the most common crime in Lewes, with an estimated rate of 712.3 incidents per 100,000 residents. This is 49% below the national average for this crime type. Overall, property crime (990 per 100K) is more prevalent than violent crime (215 per 100K) in Lewes, which is consistent with national trends.