High crime in Seaford and Milford-Why? (real estate market, sex offenders, crime rate)

[angiei812]

I've been considering a move to southern Kent or Sussex county and find homes in my price range in these two towns, a little lower than the rest of Sussex county especially. I did a search on crime rates and find them much higher than the National average. MUCH HIGHER. In fact, I believe that Delaware has a higher crime rate than the national average overall. Any thoughts on why? Anyone here have any experience living in either town?

[oncesir]

It more than likely as to do with the absence of decent paying jobs in the area and very little to do other than the beach. The real estate market and job market arent on an even scale here which IMHO makes crime go up. A typical new construction 1300-1700sqft house here sells for nearly $250-300K in an established development. Considering that the only "industry" on the shore is farming and poultry you can draw your own conclusions.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by angiei812

I've been considering a move to southern Kent or Sussex county and find homes in my price range in these two towns, a little lower than the rest of Sussex county especially. I did a search on crime rates and find them much higher than the National average. MUCH HIGHER. In fact, I believe that Delaware has a higher crime rate than the national average overall. Any thoughts on why? Anyone here have any experience living in either town?

http://www.thinkkentucky.com/EDIS/De...imeRatesSt.pdf is a review of the Crime Rate per 100,000 population. Delaware ranks #25. Not the best, not the worst, not the highest, but right smack in the middle. In fact, the national crime index average is 3,899.0 and the Delaware index is 3,747.5, approximately 3.88% below the national average.

Charley

[angiei812]

Thank you both for responding. I was looking at Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed and comparing NYC to Seaford DE and Seaford was double for everything. Murder, rape, assault.
Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed

Then the website Charlie linked showed something very different. I remember when I was looking at colleges for my kids, and doing investigation into crime on campus, I also found conflicting information and found it had something to do with which crimes are considered reportable by the schools, etc.

OK, just wanted to see if anyone here would tell me to STAY away from these towns.

[Charley]

Seaford, Delaware (DE) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

The population in Seaford is only 7,000. I think the reason why these Delaware towns show so high is because the population is so small, so any crime is magnified.

Morgan-Quitno publishes the major crime statistical report in the country. They only include cities/towns that have a population of more than 75,000. I think I now understand why. The small towns are too skewed and I don't believe the stats are valid. I think this not only for Delaware, but for all small towns around the country. (Just my opinion)

Charley

[oncesir]

The median household income isnt even 40k a yr while the real estate value is nearly 150k back in 05. I'd be willing to bet that the numbers are even more one-sided now that the shore has seen a huge property value increase due to all the philly/nj/balto residents moving here. I feel sorry for those ppl that are just barely making ends meet because of the high cost of living and low wages. This is one of the reasons why the shore(delmarva) isnt as great as most would have you think.

[elizamary]

Originally Posted by oncesir

while the real estate value is nearly 150k back in 05. .

For a decent home in "philly" it would cost $220k or so in 2007. I'm sure in NY or NJ it is even more.

[rossc]

Originally Posted by elizamary

For a decent home in "philly" it would cost $220k or so in 2007. I'm sure in NY or NJ it is even more.

But the median income is much higher.

[rdlr]

I've been here forever, and we lock our doors before we go to bed, now.

[rdlr]

Originally Posted by oncesir

The median household income isnt even 40k a yr while the real estate value is nearly 150k back in 05. I'd be willing to bet that the numbers are even more one-sided now that the shore has seen a huge property value increase due to all the philly/nj/balto residents moving here. I feel sorry for those ppl that are just barely making ends meet because of the high cost of living and low wages. This is one of the reasons why the shore(delmarva) isnt as great as most would have you think.

If you are trying to deter people from moving to Delaware, it might work!