Denver Neighborhoods With the Most Violent Crimes Now

Comparisons between 2021 and 2017 are striking.

April 23, 2021

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Audio By Carbonatix

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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

Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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