Denver's Most Dangerous Neighborhoods Now

Over the past four months, violent crime increased in the vast majority of Denver neighborhoods, with the number of incidents doubling totals from the first half of the year in more than a dozen areas.

The Denver Crime Map, maintained by the Denver Police Department, tracks data for all 78 official  neighborhoods in the city. Westword reported the 2021 statistics on violent crime — defined by the DPD as murder, robbery and aggravated assault — in April, with a follow in July, published prior to a spike in such offenses over the summer and early fall. This update looks at violent crime figures from January 1 through November 9, the most recent date for which information is available, and the results for many places are troubling.

There are exceptions, particularly in affluent neighborhoods. For instance, neither Country Club nor Wellshire has recorded a single violent crime since July, and Washington Park has seen just two. But in other neighborhoods, such episodes have been piling up. Take City Park West, for example, where the number of violent crimes went from 28 through July 4 to 59 on November 9 — in the last four months, the area logged more incidents than it had in the first six months of the year.

Other neighborhoods where the number of crimes doubled from July through November include Marston (four to eleven), Bear Valley (six to thirteen), Platt Park (three to eight), Washington Park West (five to ten), Berkeley (eight to eighteen), University (eight to eighteen), Virginia Village (fourteen to 31), West Highland (seven to eighteen), Cory-Merrill (five to fourteen), Northeast Park Hill (32 to 65), Sloan Lake (thirteen to 28), Highland (sixteen to 35), Jefferson Park (eleven to 24), West Colfax (46 to 97) and Cheesman Park (23 to 46).

Because Denver neighborhoods vary widely in terms of physical size and population, the DPD compares them by way of crime density — the number of violent crimes per square mile. The order of the neighborhoods with the highest crime density hasn't changed much since Independence Day, but the numbers that kept them in their spots are eye-popping.

For example, there's Civic Center, whose 95 violent crimes on November 9 (up from 53 on July 4) translate to a crime density of 312.50 per square mile; Union Station, whose 167 violent crimes on November 9 (up from 85 on July 4), equate to a crime density of 380.41; and the Central Business District, or CBD, whose 185 violent crimes on November 9 (up from 101 on July 4), add up to a crime density of 429.23 per square mile.

The Denver neighborhood with the most violent crimes to date in 2021? Five Points, with 260 on November 9, an increase from 144 on July 4. That's a rate of nearly one violent crime in Five Points every day for the latest period — 116 in 128 days.

Here are the stats for every official Denver neighborhood, ranked from lowest to highest current crime density, complete with comparisons of violent crimes from January 1 through July 4 and then through November 9.

1. DIA (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 0.78 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 48
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 1.13 per square mile

2. Country Club (previously number 4)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 1.54 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 1.54 per square mile

3. Wellshire (previously number 5)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 2.15 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 2.15 per square mile

4. Washington Park (previously number 3)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 1.32 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 2.65 per square mile

5. Marston (previously number 2)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 1.26 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021:11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 3.47 per square mile

6. Hilltop (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 2.32 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 4.06 per square mile

7. Belcaro (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 3.43 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 6
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 5.10 per square mile

8. Fort Logan (previously number 11)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 15
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 5.66 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 24
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 9.05 per square mile

9. Bear Valley (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 6
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 4.44 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 9.62 per square mile

10. Platt Park (previously number 8)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 3
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 3.67 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 8
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 9.78 per square mile

11. University Park (previously number 14)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 6.02 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 12
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 10.32 per square mile

12. Washington Park West (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 5.73 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 10
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 11.46 per square mile

13. Lowry Field (previously number 17)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 6.59 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 30
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 11.63 per square mile

14. Berkeley (previously number 10)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 8
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 5.34 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 12.02 per square mile

15. Hampden South (previously number 18)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 20
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 6.87 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 26
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 12.36 per square mile

16. University Hills (previously number 23)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 8.96 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 19
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 13.09 per square mile

17. North Park Hill (previously number 21)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 8.70 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 21
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.06 per square mile

18. City Park (previously number 24)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 9.12 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.32 per square mile

19. Central Park (formerly Stapleton, previously number 20)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 67
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 7.46 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 129
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.36 per square mile

20. Indian Creek (previously number 29)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021:5
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 10.27 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.37 per square mile

21. University (previously number 16)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 8
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 6.42 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.45 per square mile

22. Regis (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 9
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 8.83 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 15
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.72 per square mile

23. Southmoor Park (previously number 27)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 9
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 9.67 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 15.04 per square mile

24. Virginia Village (previously number 19)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 7.21 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 31
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 15.96 per square mile

25. West Highland (previously number 15)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 6.23 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 16.03 per square mile

26. Cory-Merrill (previously number 13)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 5.96 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 16.69 per square mile

27. Gateway/Green Valley Ranch (previously number 28)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 75
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 10.19 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 135
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 18.33 per square mile

28. South Park Hill (previously number 31)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 10.73 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 29
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 19.45 per square mile

29. Rosedale (previously number 30)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 6
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 10.64 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021:11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 19.50 per square mile

30. Northeast Park Hill (previously number 26)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 32
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 9.61 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 65
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 19.52 per square mile

31. Sloan's Lake (previously number 25)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 9.29 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 28
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 20.01 per square mile

32. Overland (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 11.58 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 25
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 22.26 per square mile

33. Skyland (previously number 35)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 14.42 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 19
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 24.90 per square mile

34. College View-South Platte (previously number 56)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 34
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 23.30 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 66
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 25.44 per square mile

35. Auraria (previously number 41)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 17.05 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.36 per square mile

36. Montclair (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 15
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 14.82 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 27
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.68 per square mile

37. Harvey Park (previously number 33)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 13.64 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 45
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.69 per square mile

38. Windsor (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 29
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 16.96 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 46
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.90 per square mile

39. Cherry Creek (previously number 39)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 16.73 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 27.48 per square mile

40. Sunnyside (previously number 38)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 16.15 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 40
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 28.09 per square mile

41. Harvey Park South (previously number 49)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 27
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 19.75 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 39
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 28.53 per square mile

42. Congress Park (previously number 37)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 15.55 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 31
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 30.13 per square mile

43. Highland (previously number 34)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 13.88 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 35
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 30.36 per square mile

44. Chaffee Park (previously number 51)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 20.38 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 24
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 30.57 per square mile

45. Athmar Park (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 28
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 18.11 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 49
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 31.70 per square mile

46. Washington Virginia Vale (previously number 43)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 32
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 17.50 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 58
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 31.71 per square mile

47. Mar Lee (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 29
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 19.24 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 49
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 32.52 per square mile

48. Sun Valley (previously number 42)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 17.13 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 21
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 32.71 per square mile

49. Elyria-Swansea (previously number 44)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 46
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 17.73 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 86
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 33.15 per square mile

50. Globeville (previously number 48)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 40
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 19.42 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 69
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 33.49 per square mile

51. Valverde (previously number 52)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 20
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 20.83 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 34.38 per square mile

52. Hale (previously number 46)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021:18.50 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 34
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021:34.94 per square mile

53. Montbello (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 117
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 23.11 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 178
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 35.16 per square mile

54. Barnum West (previously number 58)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 24.86 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 26
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 35.91 per square mile

55. Hampden (previously number 53)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 63
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 22.30 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 107
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 37.88 per square mile

56. Speer (previously number 50)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 19.91 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 38.64 per square mile

57. Ruby Hill (previously number 60)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 39
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 26.86 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 66
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 45.45 per square mile

58. Baker (previously number 59)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 40
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 26.81 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 69
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 46.25 per square mile

59. Clayton (previously number 57)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 23.35 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 36
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 46.69 per square mile

60. Kennedy (previously number 63)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 22
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 31.34 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 34
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 48.43 per square mile

61. Jefferson Park (previously number 54)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 22.36 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 24
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 48.78 per square mile

62. Barnum (previously number 61)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 29.83 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 41
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 53.18 per square mile

63. Whittier (previously number 62)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 30.20 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 30
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 53.29 per square mile

64. Goldsmith (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 42.69 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 54
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 69.86 per square mile

65. Cole (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 22
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 42.97 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 36
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 70.31 per square mile

66. Villa Park (previously number 65)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 40
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 40.57 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 70
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 70.79 per square mile

67. Lincoln Park (previously number 64)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 49
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 38.40 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 91
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 71.32 per square mile

68. Westwood (previously number 69)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 67
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 44.76 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 119
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 79.49 per square mile

69. Cheesman Park (previously number 68)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 43.64 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 46
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 87.29 per square mile

70. West Colfax (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 46
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 45.73 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 97
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 96.42 per square mile

71. City Park West (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 28
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 52.34 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 59
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 110.28 per square mile

72. East Colfax (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 79
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 73.90 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 145
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 135.64 per square mile

73. Five Points (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 144
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 81.91 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 260
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 147.90 per square mile

74. Capitol Hill (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 89
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 131.66 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 163
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 241.12 per square mile

75. North Capitol Hill (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 58
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 164.31 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 104
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 294.62 per square mile

76. Civic Center (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 53
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 174.34 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 95
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 312.50 per square mile

77. Union Station (unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 85
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 193.62 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 167
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 380.41 per square mile

78. CBD (Central Business District, unchanged)
Offense Count January 1-July 4, 2021: 101
Crime Density January 1-July 4, 2021: 234.34 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 185
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 429.23 per square mile