8 Safest Small Communities To Settle In Delaware
The safest small towns in Delaware, including Clayton, Lewes, and Elsmere, share tight-knit communities, proactive policing, and a higher quality of life. Violent crime rates in these towns are low compared to the state average, according to FBI data. Moreover, these Delaware towns foster an atmosphere in which everyone knows everyone, pedestrians can feel safe walking downtown, and nature and recreational opportunities are close at hand, like at the annual Delaware State Fair in Harrington or the Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Milton. If you are looking to move to a safe and quaint Delaware town, check out these eight communities listed below.
Clayton
Clayton sits within Kent and New Castle Counties, about 10 miles northwest of the state capital of Dover. This small town is much safer than the state capital, however. According to FBI data, Clayton Police Department has investigated just one homicide in the past five years, and less than two aggravated assaults per year. This quiet town is popular with many who settle there to escape the hustle and bustle of the city of Dover, yet still be close to its amenities.
The red brick Clayton Station is Clayton's restored railroad station that is reminiscent of the town's railroad history, when Clayton was a stop along the Pennsylvania Railroad in the 1800s. Although Clayton no longer has railroad service, the restored station is a memory of its importance to the town's history. Just a block from the railroad station, residents of all ages can enjoy the benches and playground equipment at Stephen Robert Rebar Park. Willow Rock Gardens, a family-operated daylily display garden that also offers daylily sales, is another natural wonder in Clayton not to be missed.
Lewes
The Sussex County town of Lewes, on the Delaware Bay, is a quiet water-oriented paradise. Delaware's oldest town, Lewes, was founded in 1631. It is near Cape Henlopen State Park, 5,000 acres of maritime forests, beaches, and wildlife. One of Lewes' most iconic landmarks, the Delaware Breakwater Lighthouse, is visible from the park. Guided tours of this historic lighthouse are available.
Lewes' downtown area is walkable and filled with historic sites, such as the Cannonball Maritime House, home to the Lewes Historical Society's maritime museum. The majority of Lewes residents report feeling safe in town, thanks in part to the efforts of the Lewes Police Department. FBI data shows that, within the past five years, no homicides have been reported in Lewes, and aggravated assault numbers were also low.
Selbyville
The town of Selbyville is conveniently eight miles from Delaware's beaches in Sussex County, and eight miles from Ocean View, Maryland, and is often referred to as the "gateway to the beaches" for this reason. Selbyville has averaged just three aggravated assaults and no homicides in the past five years, per the FBI and Selbyville Police Department, making it one of the safest small towns in the state.
While Selbyville is a small town, it is definitely not a sleepy one. The Freeman Arts Pavilion hosts events like Freeman Arts Family Fun Fest and international acts such as comedian Kathleen Madigan and the Indigo Girls. If you prefer outdoor fun, visit Magee Farms, a working farm offering hayrides, strawberry picking, and family activities. A walk down Selbyville's historic Church Street will take you past beautiful, sprawling homes and to locally owned businesses like Old Town Thrift and Gift.
Milton
Another Sussex County gem, Milton was named after poet John Milton in 1807. Its rich history includes canning, button-making, and shipbuilding. The Milton Historical Society is a great repository of information on the town's diverse past. In the present, Milton is one of Delaware's safest towns, with zero homicides in the past five years and an average of two aggravated assaults reported to the Milton Police Department each year.
Craft beer lovers know that Milton is home to Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, opened in 1995, which offers tours and tastings. Those who long for nature can bask in it at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge in Milton. This internationally known refuge is famous for being a prime spot for nature photography and birding, as well as hiking its 7.5 miles of trails.
Milford
Not to be confused with Milton, the town of Milford is in Kent and Sussex Counties on the Mispillion River, about a half hour from Delaware's beaches and just 23 miles south of Dover. Its low rate of aggravated assaults and few homicides in the past five years, thanks to the efforts of the Milford Police Department, have placed Milford among Delaware's safest small towns.
Strolling along the Mispillion Riverwalk produces spectacular river views and peaceful scenery. The Goat Island Trail, also on the Mispillion River, runs for 0.75 miles through town and is popular with hikers and dog walkers. To learn more about Milford's history, which includes shipbuilding, the railroad, and agriculture, visit the Milford Museum, located in the town's old post office building.
Harrington
Kent County's town of Harrington, 20 miles south of Dover, is best recognized as the home of the Delaware State Fair, held there each summer. Livestock shows, demolition derbies, contests for all ages, and entertainment by internationally famous artists like Weird Al Yankovic and Men at Work take place at this annual event.
The Harrington Police Department works to keep the town of Harrington safe all year round, accounting for its low numbers of aggravated assaults and zero homicides during the past five years. Harrington attracts visitors from all over throughout the year, with Harrington Raceway & Casino responsible for drawing many of them to the small town. Visit Browns Branch County Park if you'd rather be outdoors. These 38 acres of forested floodplain and 40 acres of former tilled uplands include ball fields, playgrounds, and a walking trail.
Smyrna
Another town sitting within both Kent and New Castle counties, Smyrna is just 12 miles north of Dover, 30 miles south of Wilmington, and less than two miles from another town on this list, Clayton. It has become the fastest-growing community in Delaware in recent years, according to municipal officers. Despite that, its crime rate is kept low, in part thanks to the Smyrna Police Department. Aggravated assaults and homicides were both far under state averages during the past five years.
Blackbird State Forest in Smyrna measures 6,000 acres and includes 40 miles of walking trails, as well as a 2,200-foot paved trail that is wheelchair-accessible. Smyrna's walkable, historic downtown features approximately 500 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, including the Smyrna Opera House, still in use. The Smyrna Museum on Main Street showcases the town's varying architectural styles as well as furnishings from the Federal to late Victorian eras.
Elsmere
The only New Castle County town on this list, Elsmere, on the western border of the city of Wilmington, is surprisingly safe considering its location. Within the past five years, the Elsmere Police Department has reported an average of four aggravated assaults per year and a homicide rate lower than the state and national average. This quiet, tight-knit community on the edge of Wilmington is the perfect place to live for those who want to be close to city amenities, yet be housed in a separate, distinct community all its own.
The Elsmere Bark Park on Baltimore Avenue is a popular gathering place for Elsmere's two- and four-legged residents. Fairgrounds Park in Elsmere was the site of the Delaware State Fair for many years before it moved to Harrington. Today, it contains playgrounds and ball fields and is home for many community events. Those searching for a warm beverage, breakfast, or lunch should try Legal Grounds Cafe, sponsored by a local law firm and popular with townsfolk and visitors.
Safe and Sound in Delaware
Delaware's safest communities are found throughout the state, but primarily concentrated within Kent and Sussex Counties. Those who want to live on the edge of a larger city may choose to move to Elsmere or Clayton, where small-town values rule. Others might opt to live near the water, in towns such as Lewes or Milford. Moving to any of these small communities in Delaware can provide you with a safer, more secure way of life.
