If you are thinking about visiting Denver and have some qualms about the safety of the city, we got you covered.
We are going to deep dive into the crime rates, crime statistics and talk to the residents of the city to give you a better understanding of how safe Denver really is.
What is Denver’s crime rate?
In 2020 Denver reported 6,329 violent crimes and had a crime rate of 884.53 per 100,000 residents. Denver’s crime rate is on 2.2 times greater than the national average.
Here’s a table showing you the crime rate over the last 5 years.
Here’s a scale to give you some perspective on Denver’s crime rate:
How are Denver’s crime rates calculated?
Crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
For example, in 2020 there were 6,329 violent crimes in Denver and the population was 715,522. This equals a crime rate of 884.53 per 100,000 residents.
Denver’s crime rate breakdown
Violent Crime Rate
In 2020 Denver reported 6,329 violent crimes: 97 homicides, 670 rapes, 4,344 robberies and 1,218 aggravated assaults.
Denver’s violent crime rate is more than twice the state average.
Year over year violent crime has increased by 15%.
You have a 1 in 113 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Denver.
Here’s a graph showing you how violent crime has trended in Denver over a 11 year period. Violent crime has increased 87% since 2010.
*Violent crimes include; homicides, rape, robbery and aggravated assaults and the violent crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
Denver’s Murder Rate
In 2020, Denver reported 97 murders and had a murder rate of 13.56 per 100,000 people.
Denver’s homicide rate is 2.1x greater than the national average and 2.7x greater than the state average.
You have a 1 in 21 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Denver.
Here’s a graph showing you how property crime has trended in Denver over a 11 year period. Property crime has increased 66% since 2010.
*Property crimes include; burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson and property crime rate is calculated by dividing the number of reported crimes by the total population; the result is multiplied by 100,000.
Denver’s crime rate vs other cities in Colorado (2020)
Here’s a table showing you the crime rates of the most populous cities in Colorado in 2020. Denver’s violent crime rate ranked 3rd highest among all cities.
Here’s a list of the top 19 most dangerous cities in the United States ranked by crime rates. Denver’s crime rate is 2.7x less than Memphis, the most dangerous city on the list.
Denver Crime Stats
Here’s a breakdown of all the crimes in the city for 2020 compared to 2019:
Downtown Denver is generally a safe place to visit. The Lower Downtown (LoDo) is the entertainment and business district. There is some crime concentrated here because of drunk people coming out of bars at night.
You should also be aware that Denver does have a problem with homeless people in the downtown area. There are encampments setup in various parts of downtown, but you should have not problems with them as long as you don’t engage with them.
Is the public transportation in Denver safe?
The public transportation system in Denver is handled by RTD and it offers many routes that interweave throughout the entire city and throughout Denver. The RTD is generally safe to use during the commuting hours (7am – 7pm), however we do not recommend that you use RTD late at night.
What do residents of Denver say about it’s safety?
"Denver is not a dangerous city, relative to other big cities like Chicago or Detroit."
"Stay out of East Colfax. Anywhere between 18th and 26th should be avoided."
"The worst places in Denver do not even begin to compare to the ‘bad areas’ of other cities."
"Five Points is the epitome of the Denver homeless problem."
"I have lived in Denver all my life and I have never had to fear for my safety. I’ve even walked down Colfax at night and never had anything happen to me. Although I would seriously not recommend doing that. There are rough neighborhoods in Denver, but nowhere as bad as some super dangerous neighborhoods in other cities."
"I feel safe anywhere in Denver. Those some parts I wouldn’t go at night but in general, Denver is safe."
"Of all my years living here, I have never felt unsafe in Denver. Even when I go to 5 Points, which is not the safest part of the city."
"Denver isn’t a dangerous city. The news and media like to sensationalize the crime here."
Is Denver safe at night?
Denver is generally safe at night as long as you avoid the problem areas. Be aware that streets and squares that are perfectly safe to visit in the daytime can be questionable and sketchy at night.
At night we recommend that you take a few extra precautions by staying in well populated places, not straying off the beaten path and not walking by yourself.
Tips to stay safe while visiting Denver, Colorado
Don’t engage or make eye contact with homeless people. For the most part they will ignore you, if you ignore them.
Do not be polite when it comes to your safety. If someone is making you feel uncomfortable, leave the situation. You don’t need an excuse or anything, just leave.
Always be aware of your surroundings. Pay attention when you are walking and don’t mindlessly scroll through your phone.
Walk with confidence and purpose. People are less likely to mess with you if you project confidence.
Denver has an issue with property crime, so don’t leave anything of value in your car and always be aware of your belongings.
Don’t walk by yourself at night, especially if you are a woman.
Stay in well populated areas at night. Don’t walk through alleys and desolate parts of the city.
Save the sightseeing for the daytime. Some areas of the city are not safe to wander around in at night.
Don’t drink in excess and always keep an eye on your drink. Don’t take drink from stranger, or if you do, make sure the drink is handed to you directly from the bartender.
Is Denver, Colorado Safe?
Statistically speaking, Denver is a slightly unsafe city. In 2020, Denver had a violent crime rate of 884.53 per 100,000 people. Denver violent crime rate is 2.2x greater than the national average and is comparable to cities like Newark, Philadelphia and Cincinnati.
Crime in all categories has been steadily increasing over the last 10 years in Denver. Violent crime has increased 87% since 2010, murders has increased 246% since 2010 and property crime has increased 66% since 2010.
Quick Facts About Denver
The population of Denver in 2020 was 715,522 and is the 19th most populous city in the United States.
The city covers a land area of 153.075 sq mi .
The median income for a household in the city was $68,592. The per capita income for the city was $43,770.
12.9% of the population live below the poverty line.
The median home value in Denver is $550K in 2022.
In 2022, the average rent for a Denver 2-bedroom apartment is $2,295.
88.0% of residents 25 and older is a high school graduate. 49.4% of residents 25 and older has a bachelors degree or higher.
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