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D+

Is Denver, Colorado Safe?

Population 740,613 · Safer than 21% of US cities

Stable· 2023 FBI UCR data

Denver's D+ safety grade puts it behind most US cities. For a metro area of 740,613 people, that means 253.1 crimes per 1,000 residents, with violent crime close to the national average. Property crime makes up the majority of offenses, with theft at 1,926 per 100K.

Denver Crime Rates vs State and National Averages

MetricDenverColorado AvgNational Avg
Violent Crime Rate350.4325.1363.8
Property Crime Rate2180.52113.11,832.3
Murder Rate5.0--5.7
Assault Rate264.0--268.2
Theft Rate1926.0--1,401.5
Vehicle Theft Rate531.0--318.3

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

Overall SafetyD+

253.1 crimes per 1,000 residents

Violent CrimeC

350/100K (national avg: 364)

Property CrimeD

2181/100K (national avg: 1,832)

Key Crime Statistics for Denver

Violent crime in Denver is close to the national average. The rate of 350.4 per 100K falls below the national 363.8.

Property crime is above the national average at 2180.5 per 100K vs. the national 1,832.3.

Theft is the most reported crime at 1,926 per 100K. The national average is 1,401.5.

Denver Crime Breakdown by Category

Murder5
088% of avgAvg: 5.7
Assault264
098% of avgAvg: 268.2
Robbery67
01.1x national avgAvg: 63.3
Burglary357
01.3x national avgAvg: 269.8
Theft1,926
01.4x national avgAvg: 1,401.5
Vehicle Theft531
01.7x national avgAvg: 318.3

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

How Denver Compares

Violent Crime Rate (per 100K)

Denver
350.4
State
325.1
National
363.8

Property Crime Rate (per 100K)

Denver
2180.5
State
2113.1
National
1832.3

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Denver Safety

Is Denver safe?
Not especially. Denver earns a D+ with a crime rate of 253.1 per 1,000 residents, and violent crime runs close to the national average. Standard precautions apply, especially at night.
What is the crime rate in Denver?
253.1 per 1,000 residents. That breaks down to a violent crime rate of 350.4 per 100,000 (the national average is 363.8) and property crime at 2180.5 per 100,000 (national average: 1832.3).
Is Denver safe for tourists?
Exercise extra caution. Denver's D+ grade reflects real risk, particularly for property crime. Theft (1,926 per 100K) is the biggest concern for visitors. Stay in well-lit, busy areas at night.
What are the safest neighborhoods in Denver?
Neighborhood-level data varies, but suburban residential areas in Denver generally report lower crime than downtown or commercial districts. For block-level detail, check the Denver police department's crime map.
Is crime increasing in Denver?
Crime rates have held steady in Denver, without significant movement in either direction. The city maintains its D+ grade.
How does Denver compare to other cities in Colorado?
Below average for the state. Denver ranks behind about 70% of Colorado cities on safety, with property crime being the bigger issue at 1.2x the national rate.
How safe is Denver to live in?
Worth factoring into your decision. Violent crime is close to the national average, which is encouraging. Rates have been stable.
How bad is crime in Denver?
Bad. A D+ grade and 253.1 per-thousand rate put Denver below 79% of US cities. Violent crime at 350 per 100K is the core problem.
What is the violent crime rate in Denver?
350.4 per 100,000, which is 4% below the national average of 363.8. That includes assault (264), robbery (67), and murder (5.0) per 100,000.

Nearby Cities in Colorado

Similar-sized communities in Colorado. Compare crime rates across the state.

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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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