Downtown Neighborhood, Wilmington
Crime Rate & Statistics
High crime area — exercise caution, especially at night
Safer than 22% of neighborhoods in Wilmington
Safety at a Glance
Check a specific address
in Wilmington
Is Downtown Safe?
No — this is a high-crime area. Downtown in Wilmington, DE has a safety grade of D-. The overall crime index is 196, which is 96% above the national average of 100. Downtown is safer than 22% of neighborhoods in Wilmington.
Compared to the Wilmington average (crime index 157), Downtown is 39% higher in overall crime. Residents and visitors should exercise extra caution in this area, particularly after dark.
Looking at specific crime types, larceny / theft is the most elevated concern (index: 196, 96% above average), while rape is the lowest risk (index: 88). Property crime is more prevalent than violent crime here, consistent with broader national patterns.
Downtown Crime Breakdown
Crime indices compared to national average (100) and Wilmington city average. Higher values mean more crime.
| Crime Type | Index | vs National | Risk Level | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | ||||
|
Murder
|
194 | +94% | High | |
|
Assault
|
192 | +92% | High | |
|
Robbery
|
195 | +95% | High | |
|
Rape
|
88 | -12% | Average | |
| Property Crime | ||||
|
Burglary
|
190 | +90% | High | |
|
Larceny / Theft
|
196 | +96% | High | |
|
Vehicle Theft
|
190 | +90% | High | |
How Downtown Compares
Crime index by category: Downtown vs Wilmington average vs national average.
Crime by Category
Overall Crime Comparison
Downtown Crime Map
Crime heatmap based on block-group level data. Red areas indicate higher crime density.
See the crime score for a specific address
Downtown Demographics & Context
Education
Housing
Racial Demographics
Nearby Neighborhoods
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the crime rate in Downtown, Wilmington?
Downtown in Wilmington, DE has a crime safety grade of D- as of 2026. The overall crime index is 196, which is 96% above the national average. Compared to the Wilmington average, crime in Downtown is 39% higher. Downtown is safer than 22% of neighborhoods in Wilmington.
Is Downtown a safe neighborhood in Wilmington?
Downtown has elevated crime levels with a safety grade of D-. Extra caution is recommended, especially at night. The highest concern is Larceny / Theft (index: 196), while Rape is the lowest risk (index: 88).
How does Downtown compare to the rest of Wilmington?
Downtown's overall crime index is 196, compared to the Wilmington average of 157. This means crime in Downtown is 39% higher than the city average. For violent crime, the index is 167, and for property crime it is 192. However, crime can vary block by block, so checking the crime map for specific streets is recommended.
What type of crime is most common in Downtown?
The most prevalent crime type in Downtown is Larceny / Theft, with a crime index of 196 (96% above the national average). Overall, property crime is more prevalent than violent crime in this neighborhood, which is consistent with national trends.
What are safer neighborhoods near Downtown?
Nearby neighborhoods include East Side, McCaulley Court, Quaker Hill, Midtown Brandywine. Check their individual crime statistics pages for detailed safety information.
What are the demographics of Downtown?
Downtown has a population of approximately 1,071. The median household income is $38,053. The median home value is $220,188. Research shows that economic factors can correlate with crime rates, though many other variables play a role in neighborhood safety.
How does Downtown crime compare to the national average?
Downtown's overall crime rate is 96% above the national average (index 196 vs 100). Within Wilmington, it is safer than 22% of neighborhoods. For the most accurate picture, review the per-crime-type breakdown above, as some categories may differ significantly from the overall trend.
Crime data sourced from FBI UCR reports and local law enforcement agencies. Crime indices use 100 as the national average. Updated April 2026.