What is the Denver crime rate? That may seem like a simple question, but it's more nuanced than you think. US News ranks Denver in the top 50 best places to live in America, beating out other major cities like Washington D.C. and San Diego. Yet US News also ranks Colorado as the third-worst state for crime. Many websites provide data on Denver crime, and researching crime in Denver can lead you to think it's an unsafe city.
But there are many safe places to live in Denver. Before you start moving to Denver, you need the full picture of Denver crime data. You should understand how the Denver Police Department and FBI calculate crime rates and break down the statistics into simple data points. Here is your comprehensive guide to Denver crime, including Denver crime by neighborhood.
Understanding the Denver Crime Rate - How Crime Rates Are Calculated
When people think about Denver CO crime or try to answer questions like "How safe is Denver?" they often think about the FBI crime rates. The FBI Denver Colorado crime rate seems authoritative, and they can be helpful when looking at Denver Colorado crime. But you need to know a few things about them.
The Denver Crime Rate Isn't Comprehensive
The Denver crime rate usually doesn't include all offenses within the city. The FBI includes only index crimes, which are major offenses like murder, rape, and robbery. Minor offenses like simple assault, vandalism, and home intrusions are not included in the Denver crime rate.
According to the Pew Research Center, only 41.5% of violent crimes and 31.8% of household property crimes were reported to the police in 2022. As such, the Denver crime rate can only reflect a fraction of the crimes that are actually committed in Denver.
Many people ask, "Is Lakewood safe?" You should avoid comparing the Denver crime rate to the crime rates in other cities. It can be hard to tell if one city has more crime, as the crime index does not reflect all the crime activity in that city.
The Denver Crime Rate Lacks Context
The Denver crime rate can lack context in several different ways:
- Crime reporting practices can vary depending on different police departments. Some police departments have bad reporting practices, so their crime rates may not be accurate. Police departments have different definitions of crimes, so some may have higher rates because they include more offenses under their definitions.
- The Denver crime rate often lacks historical context. A rising crime rate can be scary, but the overall rate of crime may be down over 10 or 20 years.
- Indicators for the Denver Colorado crime rate can differ. The overall Denver crime rate may be up, but the violent Denver crime rate may be down.
- The Denver crime rate is city-wide. Different neighborhoods have different levels of crime, and the crime rates in neighborhoods can decline, even if the overall crime rate increases. One neighborhood may contribute to the spike in crime. As long as you avoid that neighborhood, you can stay safe.
- A city may experience a temporary rise in crime because of instability, like a natural disaster. Once the moment passes, the crime rate will decline.
Most Crimes Occur Amongst People Who Know Each Other
Stranger violence is rare. According to RAINN, 80.5% of rapes and sexual assaults are committed by someone who the victim knows. According to the FBI in 2019, over 40% of murders were committed by someone who the victim knows. Even if there is a spike in crime in Denver, you should be aware that you are not likely to experience crime from strangers. The spike in the Denver crime rate is likely a spike in family violence.
What Is the Denver Crime Rate?
Now that you know more about the context of Denver crime, you can look at the actual Denver crime rate statistics. What is the Denver crime rate? Here are the crime rates for Denver according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Denver crime rate: 7,498 offenses per 100,000 people (106.0% higher than the Colorado crime rate, 222.6% higher than the national average)
- Denver violent crime rate: 1,070 crimes per 100,000 people (117.3% higher than the crime rate in Colorado, 189.4% higher than the national rate)
- Denver property crime rate: 6,428 offenses per 100,000 people (104.2% higher than the crime rate in Colorado, 228.9% higher than the national rate)
These Denver crime rates may seem high. But you need some more information about violent and property crime as well as local law enforcement agencies.
Denver Crime Map and Denver Crime Reports
The Denver Police Department provides a Denver crime map you can use to view crimes from up to six months ago. The crime map reveals that a few neighborhoods contribute to the overall crime rate far more than other neighborhoods. Five Points, Central Park, and East Colfax each reported over 1,500 offenses between April and October 2024. These three neighborhoods significantly skew the Denver CO crime rate. The overwhelming majority of neighborhoods reported less than 500 offenses each during that time. These neighborhoods do not contribute substantially to the Denver crime rate.
The crime map also reveals that most crimes in Denver are non-violent, low-value property crimes. Public disorder is the single most common Denver Colorado crime, with 5,650 incidents reported between April and October 2024. Nearly all instances of public disorder don't result in injuries or property damage. Larceny is the second-most common Denver Colorado crime. Most instances of larceny occur when property worth less than $300 is stolen.
The Denver Police Department publishes Denver crime reports on its website. Their Denver crime reports show that public disorder is the most common offense in Denver, accounting for over 15% of the Denver crime rate. Denver murders account for roughly 0.1% of the Denver crime rate. Between 2021 and 2024, the Denver crime rate fell by 7.6%, with the property Denver CO crime rate falling by 25.3%.
Violent Crime in Denver
Here are the statistics for Denver violent crime rate, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall Denver violent crime rate: 1,070 offenses per 100,000 people (117.3% higher than the Colorado crime rate, 189.4% higher than the national average)
- Total number of violent crimes: 7,545
- Denver murder rate: 13 Denver homicides per 100,000 residents (103.1% higher than the Colorado rate, 104.8% higher than the national rate)
- Total number of Denver murders and non-negligent manslaughters: 90
- Number of rapes: 756
- Number of robberies: 1,301
- Number of aggravated assaults: 5,398
- Chance of being a victim of violent Denver CO crime: 1 in 93
While these statistics may suggest the violent crime rate in Denver is high, you need more context. According to the Denver crime rate, the violent crime rate fell by 0.6% between 2023 and 2024. The sexual assault rate fell by 11.8%, and the murder rate fell by 1.7% between 2021 and 2024.
Property Crime in Denver
Here are the statistics for property crime in Denver, according to the FBI in 2022:
- Overall property crime rate in Denver: 6,428 offenses per 100,000 people (104.2% higher than the Colorado crime rate, 228.9% higher than the national rate)
- Total number of property crimes: 45,336
- Total number of burglaries: 5,171
- Total number of larceny-thefts: 24,964
- Total number of motor vehicle thefts: 15,201
- Total number of arsons: 195
- Chance of being a victim of property Denver CO crime: 1 in 16
While these numbers seem high, the overall Denver property crime rate is down. Between 2021 and 2024, the number of property crimes in Denver fell by 25.3%. Thefts from motor vehicles dropped by 39.3%, and motor vehicle theft dropped by 36% between 2021 and 2024.
Worst Neighborhoods in Denver
You should learn about the most dangerous neighborhoods in Denver before moving to Denver. Here are the areas to avoid in Denver, based on data from the Denver crime map and Denver crime reports.
Five Points
Some people ask, "Is 5 Points in Denver dangerous?" Five Points had the most crimes of any Denver neighborhood between April and October 2024. Roughly 2,700 Five Points crimes were reported to the police during that time period. Many different types of crimes occur in Five Points, including murders and Denver shootings.
A fatal shooting occurred in Five Points Denver in January 2024, and another fatal shooting occurred in April 2024. According to a 2020 report from KDVR, Five Points Denver reported the most violent crimes of any Denver neighborhood during the summer of 2020.
Central Park
Central Park has the second-most crimes of any neighborhood between April and October 2024. Roughly 1,800 Central Park crimes were reported to the police, including murders. In July 2024, two people were murdered in a Central Park apartment building.
A 2024 report from KDVR found that Central Park had the most crimes of any Denver neighborhood in January 2024, contributing substantially to the Denver crime rate. The Central Park crime rate consists mostly of non-violent offenses.
Capitol Hill
Roughly 1,500 crimes in Capitol Hill were reported to the Denver police between April and October 2024. Natural Grocers closed its grocery store in Capitol Hill due to the high Capitol Hill crime rate, including 12 burglaries in September 2024 alone. Ogden Street is a hot spot for crime in Capitol Hill.
Over 100 crimes occurred on Ogden Street in Capitol Hill between September 2023 and February 2024. The Denver Police Department has started patrols on Ogden Street blocks to reduce property and violent crime.
Denver International Airport (DIA)
Roughly 1,500 crimes in and around Denver International Airport (DIA) were reported to the Denver police between April and October 2024. In June 2024 alone, 17 cars were stolen, and 23 cars were broken into in DIA parking lots. 298 pieces of luggage were stolen at DIA in 2023, and a man was arrested in June 2024 for stealing at least eight bags from the airport.
East Colfax
Residents reported roughly 1,100 crimes in East Colfax to the Denver police between April and October 2024. The East Colfax crime rate has remained steady in recent months. An August 2024 Denver 7 report found that East Colfax Denver businesses have had to change their hours and install separation barriers due to rising crime and drug use.
Residents high on drugs have been known to stand in front of businesses and harass customers. In August 2024, a man was found dead from a gunshot wound in an alley in East Colfax Denver.
Safest Neighborhoods in Denver
Despite the high crime rate in some Denver neighborhoods, many neighborhoods report few, if any, crimes on a weekly basis. These safe neighborhoods in Denver often have top schools, delicious restaurants, and great attractions. Here's what to know about the safest neighborhoods in Denver.
Wellshire
Residents reported just 26 crimes in Wellshire between April and October 2024. 5280 Magazine ranked Wellshire as the safest neighborhood in Denver, with the lowest Denver crime rate in 2024. Wellshire Denver has reported the fewer crimes per capita of any Denver neighborhood for three years in a row. Wellshire Denver is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver for families. It's home to Slavens K-8 School, a top elementary and middle school in Denver.
Are you ready to start moving to Wellshire and the safest neighborhoods in Denver? Contact Homegrown Moving and start your relocation today!
Indian Creek
Residents reported just 50 crimes in Indian Creek between April and October 2024. 5280 Magazine ranked Indian Creek in the top 10 safest places to live in Denver. 5280 Magazine also called Indian Creek the most affordable Denver neighborhood, with Indian Creek homes for sale having an average home sale price of less than $500,000.
Country Club
Only 64 crimes occurred in Country Club between April and October 2024. Westword described Country Club as the safest neighborhood in Denver in 2024 based on crimes per square mile. Country Club Denver residents experience only 1.11 crimes per square mile, with only one aggravated assault occurring during the first seven months of 2024. Murders are unheard of in Country Club. Country Club is one of the best neighborhoods in Denver, and it's well known for its top country and golf clubs. The Denver Country Club is the oldest country club west of the Mississippi River.
Rosedale
Residents experienced only 75 crimes in Rosedale between April and October 2024. The Rosedale crime rate has remained low in recent years. KDVR reported in July 2022 that Rosedale residents experienced less than 10 violent crimes between January and July 2022.
Many Denver residents describe Rosedale Denver as being one of the safest Denver neighborhoods and one of the quietest neighborhoods in the Denver area. Rosedale is well known for its top parks, including Harvard Gulch Park.
Skyland
Skyland residents reported only 88 crimes between April and October 2024. Skyland has reported just 12 violent crimes in 2024 and has one of the lowest property crime rates of any Denver neighborhood. It has one of the lowest rates in each type of property crime, including larceny and robberies.
Skyland Denver is a predominantly residential neighborhood with few attractions, so there is less foot traffic than in the other safest neighborhoods in Denver. Less foot traffic means that elevated crime rates in Skyland are not likely to occur, even if the city's crime rate is spiking.
Denver Crime Tips - How to Avoid Crime in Denver
- Crimes in and around Denver International Airport usually occur in parking lots. Do not park your car in a parking lot at DIA, even if security is nearby. You can use public transportation to get to and from the airport, or you can park your car in a private lot away from the airport. To prevent your bag from being stolen, use brightly colored luggage so you can spot it on a luggage carousel and grab it quickly.
- You can take alternative routes to avoid Ogden Street. Capitol Hill Denver has a gridlike layout, so the streets run parallel to each other and connect to the same major roads. Emerson Street is to the west of Ogden Street, and Corona Street is to the east.
- You can also take alternate routes to avoid Five Points and high-crime areas of Denver. Interstate 25 runs past the neighborhoods and connects to most of the top cities near Denver.
- The Denver Police Department asks all residents to follow various neighborhood crime prevention tips to reduce the Denver crime rate. Keep your exterior doors locked and install window locks on your windows. Place thorny and dense plants around your homes as natural barriers to deter thieves. Park your bike in a well-lit area and secure it to a solid object with a U-lock or a heavy-duty chain.
Denver Police Department
The Denver Police Department was formed in 1859, one year after Denver was founded. The Denver Police Department spent most of its early years dealing with petty crime, street violence, and prostitution. As time passed, the department got more standardized and took on more responsibilities. By the 1910s, the department had over 200 sworn police officers.
The Denver Police Department now employs 1,512 sworn Denver police officers, at a rate of two officers per 1,000 residents. The Patrol Division is split into six patrol districts, and each district is split into a number of precincts. Each precinct has at least one officer and one patrol car assigned to it, so officers can respond to emergencies promptly and reduce the Denver crime rate. The current police chief is Ron Thomas.
You can file a police report online and request police records on the department's website. The police department contributes to the Denver Open Data Catalog, which offers Denver crime reports and other information about living in Denver. You can regularly check the Denver crime rate.
Denver Crime Rate FAQ
Is Denver Safe?
Yes, Denver is a safe place to live. While the overall Denver crime rate may be high, it has gone down in recent years. Many neighborhoods like Skyland report few crimes on a regular basis.
Is Downtown Denver Safe?
Yes, Downtown Denver is a safe area to visit. Very few people report experiencing crime in Downtown Denver. Crimes that do occur are non-violent offenses like disorderly behavior and public intoxication.
Is Denver Dangerous?
No, Denver is not a dangerous place to live. There are numerous safe places to live in Denver. Even the worst neighborhoods in Denver are safe to live in, as crimes that occur tend to be domestic disputes.
The Denver crime rate deserves a deep dive. The overall Denver crime rate is higher than the state and national rates. But Denver crime is reducing as time goes on, and fewer people are experiencing violent crime. Communities like Wellshire and Indian Creek report very few crimes every month. So is Denver a safe place to live? Yes, it is!
Now that you know what the Denver crime rate is like, you can start moving to Denver. Homegrown Moving has a team of top Denver movers with over 30 years of experience. Call 303-587-6200 for a free estimate now.
