8 Safest Towns In Delaware For Senior Living
Delaware is considered a premier retirement destination because of its tax-friendly environment and selection of smaller towns that balance scenery and safety. Smyrna, in central Delaware, is a historic town known for the restored Smyrna Opera House, an 1887 landmark that still hosts theater and events. Lewes stands out along the Delaware Bay with peaceful walking trails through Cape Henlopen State Park. Selbyville is another appealing option near the coast, with events and concerts at the Freeman Arts Pavilion and easy access to the beaches of Fenwick Island. These towns offer the kind of safe, friendly setting that gives retirees extra peace of mind.
Lewes
The beach town of Lewes is in eastern Sussex County, where Delaware Bay and the Atlantic Ocean meet at Cape Henlopen. In this serene town of about 3,800 residents, a large share of the population is over the age of 60. It's easy to see why, as the quiet, waterfront atmosphere of Lewes is combined with a low violent crime rate of 1.62 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 5.67 per 1,000. Some might call Lewes the quintessential small, secure, seaside town for seniors.
Lewes' Cape Henlopen State Park offers the perfect combination of sand dunes and walking trails, and is a popular spot for bird-watching the many singing shorebirds that frequent the park. The town's downtown historic area is easily walkable and includes the Lewes Public Library on Adams Avenue. The Historic Lewes Farmers Market is held on Saturdays from May through December and again on Wednesdays from June through September in various locations around town. Beebe Healthcare in Lewes provides comprehensive health services for residents.
Milton
Milton is situated in northeastern Sussex County, on the Broadkill River, just seven miles from the Delaware Bay. In this town of about 3,300 residents, nearly half of the population is over age 60. Milton's safety appeals to seniors, as the town's violent crime rate is 2.64 per 1,000, and the property crime rate is 10.28 per 1,000. It is also just 15 minutes from the beach towns of Lewes and Rehoboth Beach, attracting seniors who want to enjoy small-town life and have an easy drive to the shore.
Milton's downtown area is highly walkable, including the Broadkill Riverfront and the historic Milton Theatre, built in 1910. The Edward H. McCabe Nature Preserve along the Broadkill River features easy, low-elevation trails where seniors can see the river and its plant and animal inhabitants. The CHEER Milton Activity Center is a senior center for those aged 50 and up, with daily meals, activities, trips, and various programs. Bayhealth Hospital, Sussex Campus in Milford, is just eight miles away.
Selbyville
Another Sussex County gem, Selbyville, is in the southeastern part of the county, near the Maryland border, and just eight miles west of the seaside town of Fenwick Island. This tight-knit community of about 3,000 residents, more than one-third of whom are over 60, is known as the "gateway to the beaches." It is also known for safety, with a violent crime rate of just 0.91 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 14.3 per 1,000.
The town's Freeman Arts Pavilion is an open-air theatre that draws visitors from other parts of the state and from nearby states to see nationally known acts such as Little Big Town and James Taylor. The pavilion also hosts the town's annual Arts & Jazz Festival in August, featuring artwork by local artists and recognized jazz musicians. The Indian River Senior Center in nearby Millsboro welcomes Selbyville residents age 50 and above, and is just 10 miles away. Atlantic General Hospital in Berlin, Maryland, is just eight miles away if medical care is needed.
Smyrna
Smyrna sits in Kent and New Castle counties in central Delaware, near the Smyrna River and Lake Como. Although it is about 13,000 residents strong (with roughly 23% over 60) and about 12 miles from the capital city of Dover, this small town has a much friendlier atmosphere than the capital city. The violent crime rate in Smyrna is 4.78 per 1,000, and the property crime rate is 19.95 per 1,000. It is a great alternative for seniors who wish to live near Dover but want the safety and security of a smaller community.
The Mamie Warren Senior Center in Smyrna serves residents of Smyrna, Clayton, and the surrounding area aged 50 and up. Smyrna also features a historic, walkable downtown with 19th-century architecture. The Smyrna Opera House, built in 1887, still showcases theater, music, and art performances today. Lake Como on South Main Street offers visitors opportunities to boat and enjoy its natural beauty. Bayhealth Hospital, Kent Campus in Dover, is the nearest hospital to Smyrna, about 12 miles away.
Middletown
Middletown, in southern New Castle County, is about 25 miles south of Wilmington and 25 miles north of Dover. In this town of about 25,000 residents, 20% are over age 60. Middletown enjoys a low violent crime rate of 1.25 per 1,000 and a low property crime rate of 15.47 per 1,000. Seniors who want to live in a smaller, safer town and still have easy access to the city often choose Middletown.
The Price Memorial Park Loop in Charles E. Price Memorial Park is a 1.5-mile, six-foot-wide paved walking trail that is wheelchair- and mobility-equipment accessible. The MOT Jean Birch Senior Center serves seniors aged 50 and above in the Middletown, Odessa, and Townsend area. Dutch Country Farmer's Market on Broad Street, open Thursdays through Saturdays, features Amish and English vendors selling produce, dairy, crafts, and other goods. Christiana Hospital in Newark is just 10 miles away if medical care is ever required.
Elsmere
New Castle County's small town of Elsmere is just west of the city of Wilmington and about eight miles from Newark. The town's motto, "A Wonderful Place to Live," is proclaimed on a sign at the town limits. This town of about 6,000 residents, with about 18% of residents over age 60, could be an ideal new home for seniors seeking a safe place. The violent crime rate in Elsmere is 2.44 per 1,000, and the property crime rate is 17.77 per 1,000.
Fairgrounds Park on Filbert & Dover Avenues was once the home of the Delaware State Fair. Today, visitors to the park can enjoy watching sports events, communing with nature, and walking on the mile-long Senator Patricia M. Blevins Pedestrian Path. The Elsmere Library is a popular gathering place for seniors and others, hosting events such as quilting, knitting, and crocheting clubs. The Elsmere Bark Park on Baltimore Avenue is the perfect spot for dogs and their owners to meet. Saint Francis Hospital in Wilmington is just two miles away for medical concerns.
Harrington
Known as "The Hub of Delaware," the central Kent County town of Harrington is just 15 miles south of Dover. In this town of about 3,800 residents, 17% are age 60 or over. Harrington's violent crime rate of 3.86 per 1,000 and property crime rate of 20.83 per 1,000 attract many seniors to the city. Its central location in the state and proximity to Dover are also deciding factors for some in deciding to move here.
Harrington is home to the Delaware State Fair, held each late July/early August. This festival draws visitors from all over to see the Demolition Derby and hear performances by acts such as "Weird Al" Yankovic and Men at Work. The Harrington Raceway and Casino is another popular town destination where seniors may wish to play slots and table games or listen to musical performances. The Harrington Senior Center provides meals and activities for seniors aged 50 and up. Milford Memorial Hospital, eight miles away, can furnish medical care to Harrington residents when needed.
Newark
Newark is best known for being the home of the University of Delaware, but this small New Castle County town is not just for young people. With a population of about 30,000, 15% of whom are over age 60, and a low violent crime rate of 3.03 per 1,000 and a property crime rate of 20.15 per 1,000, Newark is a safe haven for Delaware seniors. The town is just 15 miles southwest of Wilmington and near the Mason-Dixon Line and the borders of Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Newark's Main Street is pedestrian-friendly and features eclectic shops and eateries, including Home Grown Cafe. White Clay Creek State Park in Newark sits on more than 3,700 acres along the White Clay Creek near the Mason-Dixon Line, and has more than 37 miles of trails for hikers and bikers. The Newark Senior Center serves lunch daily to members age 50 and up, and also has an indoor pool and a variety of activities and programs. Christiana Hospital in Newark is a top-rated, modern medical facility with more than 900 beds.
Safe in the First State
These safe Delaware towns span the state, with secure areas in New Castle, Kent, and Sussex Counties. Whether you want to live near the beach or closer to major cities, safe towns do exist in the First State. Not only are these towns safe, but they also include senior-friendly amenities, such as walkable downtown areas, appealing attractions, and a close-knit community spirit. Seniors who want to ensure their safety should examine these small Delaware towns.
