A recent report from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation confirmed that violent crime soared in Denver during 2020, with 6,749 incidents. And while 2021 violent-crime counts are still preliminary, the Denver Police Department's indispensable online Crime Map already registers more than 1,200 for the year to date.
Where are the most violent crimes occurring now? We used the Crime Map tool to drill down into the stats for all 78 of the city's official neighborhoods to find out what areas have experienced the most incidents so far this year. We also compared the figures to a similar survey we conducted in 2017, when the total number of violent crimes was 5,342 for the year.
Our 2017 story looked at violent crimes — defined by the DPD as murder, robbery and aggravated assault — from January 1 to July 1 of that year. The time period for 2021 is shorter: January 1 through April 19. And yet eleven neighborhoods, including Central Park and Cherry Creek, had already seen more violent crimes during the first hundred days of 2021 than they did during the first six months of 2017.
The news isn't all grim. Violent-crime rates have declined over the past four years in some Denver neighborhoods, including Whittier, which has registered just six violent crimes so far this year, compared to 28 in the first half of 2017. But violent crimes in many other neighborhoods are well ahead of the pace from 2017. In Civic Center, for example, there were 25 violent crimes between the start of 2021 and April 19, just one off the 26 counted in the first six months of 2017.
Here are the stats for every official Denver neighborhood, ranked from lowest to highest crime density — the number of violent crimes per square mile — so far in 2021. Also included are comparisons to the figures for the first six months of 2017; the names of neighborhoods with more violent crimes so far this year appear in bold, while four others with an equal number are italicized.
1. DIA
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 0.42 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 0.09 per square mile
2. Marston
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 0.63 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 9
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 2.84 per square mile
3. Washington Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 0.66 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 2
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 1.32 per square mile
4. University Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 0.86 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 7
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 6.02 per square mile
5. Hilltop
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 1.16 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 2
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 1.16 per square mile
6. Cory-Merrill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 1.19 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 2
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 2.38 per square mile
7. Country Club
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 1.54 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 1
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 1.54 per square mile
8. Belcaro
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 1.72 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 5
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 4.29 per square mile
9. Berkeley
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 3
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 2.00 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 11.35 per square mile
10 (tie). Southmoor Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 2.15 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 5
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.37 per square mile
10 (tie). Wellshire
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 2.15 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 0
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 0.00 per square mile
12. Hampden South
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 2.40 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 16
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.50 per square mile
13. Bear Valley
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 2.96 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 9
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 6.66 per square mile
14. University
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.21 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 6
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 4.82 per square mile
15. Washington Park West
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 3
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.44 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 6
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 6.87 per square mile
16. Rosedale
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.55 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 3
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.32 per square mile
17. Sloan's Lake
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.57 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 14
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 10.01 per square mile
18. Platt Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 3
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.67 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 6
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 7.33 per square mile
19. Central Park (formerly Stapleton)
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 34
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.78 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 31
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 3.45 per square mile
20. Congress Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.89 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 12
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 11.66 per square mile
21. City Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 3
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 3.91 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.21 per square mile
22. Lowry Field
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 4.26 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 15
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.82 per square mile
23. West Highland
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 4.45 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 9.79 per square mile
24. Fort Logan
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 12
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 4.53 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 6
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 2.26 per square mile
25. Northeast Park Hill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 4.80 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 26
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 7.80 per square mile
26. Regis
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 4.91 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 3.93 per square mile
27. Gateway/Green Valley Ranch
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 37
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 5.02 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 42
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.71 per square mile
28. Skyland
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 5.24 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 4
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.24 per square mile
29. South Park Hill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 8
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 5.37 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 7.38 per square mile
30. Virginia Village
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 5.66 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 5.66 per square mile
31. North Park Hill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 9
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 6.02 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 12.05 per square mile
32. Highland
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 6.07 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 25
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 21.68 per square mile
33. University Hills
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 9
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 6.20 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 7.58 per square mile
34. Montclair
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 6.92 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 16.80 per square mile
35. Speer
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 6
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.03 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 14
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 16.39 per square mile
36 (tie). Overland
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 8
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.12 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 12
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 10.69 per square mile
36 (tie). Harvey Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 12
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.12 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 23
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 13.64 per square mile
38. Windsor
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.60 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 20
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 11.70 per square mile
39. Sunnyside
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.72 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 21
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 14.75 per square mile
40. Auraria
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.75 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 7
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 10.85 per square mile
41. Sun Valley
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 7.79 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 30
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 46.73 per square mile
42. Indian Creek
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 8.21 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 0
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 0.00 per square mile
43. Cherry Creek
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 8.36 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 3
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 3.58 per square mile
44. Elyria-Swansea
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 22
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 8.48 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 30
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 11.56 per square mile
45. Valverde
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 9
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 9.38 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 26
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 27.08 per square mile
46. Globeville
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 20
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 9.71 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 19
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 9.22 per square mile
47. Washington Virginia Vale
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 9.84 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 37
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 20.23 per square mile
48. Jefferson Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 5
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 10.16 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 7
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 14.23 per square mile
49. Harvey Park South
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 10.24 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 12.44 per square mile
50. Athmar Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 10.35 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 24
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 15.52 per square mile
51. Whittier
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 6
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 10.66 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 28
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 49.73 per square mile
52. Baker
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 11.39 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 30
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 20.11 per square mile
53. Hampden
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 35
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 12.39 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 31
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 10.98 per square mile
54. Barnum West
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 9
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 12.43 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 11
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 15.19 per square mile
55. College View-South Platte
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 19
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 13.02 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 24
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 16.45 per square mile
56. Mar Lee
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 20
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 13.27 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 20
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 13.27 per square mile
57. Montbello
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 68
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 13.43 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 71
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 14.03 per square mile
58. Chaffee Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 14.01 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 9
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 11.45 per square mile
59. Clayton
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 14.27 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 23.35 per square mile
60. Hale
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 14.39 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 17
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 17.47 per square mile
61. Ruby Hill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 22
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 15.15 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 12.40 per square mile
62. Kennedy
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 15.67 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 13
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 18.52 per square mile
63. Lincoln Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 18.02 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 67
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 52.51 per square mile
64. Villa Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 18.26 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 28
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 28.31 per square mile
65. Cole
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 10
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 19.53 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 22
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 42.97 per square mile
66. Cheesman Park
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 20.87 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 19
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 36.05 per square mile
67. Goldsmith
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 21.99 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 18
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 23.29 per square mile
Crime Density: 23.29 per square mile
68. Barnum
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 22.05 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 20
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 25.94 per square mile
69. West Colfax
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 25
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 24.85 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 46
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 45.82 per square mile
70. Westwood
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 44
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 29.39 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 49
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 32.73 per square mile
71. City Park West
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 16
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 29.91 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 20
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 37.38 per square mile
72. East Colfax
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 30.87 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 72
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 67.35 per square mile
73. Five Points
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 70
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 39.82 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 152
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 86.46 per square mile
74. Capitol Hill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 49
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 72.48 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 69
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 102.07
75. Civic Center
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 25
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 82.24 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 26
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 85.53 per square mile
76. Union Station
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 39
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 88.84 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 72
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 164.01 per square mile
77. North Capitol Hill
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 93.48 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 35
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 99.15 per square mile
78. CBD (Central Business District)
Offense Count January 1-April 19, 2021: 48
Crime Density January 1-April 19, 2021: 111.37 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-July 1, 2017: 56
Crime Density January 1-July 1, 2017: 129.93 per square mile