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D-

Is Boulder, Colorado Safe?

Population 105,689 · Safer than 12% of US cities

Improving· 2023 FBI UCR data

With a violent crime rate above the national average, Boulder faces real safety challenges. It earns a D- grade and ranks below 88% of US cities. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,583 per 100K.

Boulder Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricBoulderColorado AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate445.0325.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2427.32113.11,832.3
Murder Rate7.0--5.7
Assault Rate372.0--268.2
Theft Rate1583.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate271.0--318.3

All rates per 100,000 residents. 2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report + Census Bureau population estimates.

Overall SafetyD-

287.2 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeD

445/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD-

2427/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Boulder

Violent crime in Boulder is above the national average. The rate of 445.0 per 100K exceeds the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2427.3 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,583 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Assault is notable at 372 per 100K, above the national 268.2.

Boulder Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder7
01.2x national avgAvg: 5.7
Assault372
01.4x national avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery72
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary464
01.7x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,583
01.1x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft271
085% of avgAvg: 318.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. Vertical marker = national average.

How Boulder Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Boulder
445.0
State
325.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Boulder
2427.3
State
2113.1
National
1832.3

Rates per 100,000 residents. National averages from 2023 FBI UCR data.

Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder Safety

Is Boulder safe?
Not especially. Boulder earns a D- with a crime rate of 287.2 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs above the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Boulder?
287.2 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 445.0 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2427.3 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Boulder safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Boulder's D- grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,583 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Boulder?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Boulder generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Boulder police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Boulder?
No. Crime in Boulder has been trending down, which is good news for the D--rated city.
How does Boulder compare to other cities in Colorado?
Below average for the state. Boulder ranks behind about 86% of Colorado cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.3x the national rate.
How safe is Boulder to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is above the national average. Crime has been dropping, which helps.
How bad is crime in Boulder?
Bad. A D- grade and 287.2 per-thousand rate put Boulder below 88% of US cities. Violent crime at 445 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Boulder?
445.0 per 100,000, which is 22% above the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (372), robbery (72), and murder (7.0) per 100,000.

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View all Colorado city safety grades

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2024 FBI Uniform Crime Report data and Census Bureau population estimates. Safety grades calculated using national and state-level crime rate distributions. Not a substitute for local law enforcement guidance.

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