Denver's Most Dangerous Neighborhoods Now

Violent crimes rose in more than fifty areas.

November 11, 2022

Denver7 via YouTube file photo

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Compared to last year, violent crime is up in more than fifty Denver neighborhoods during the first ten-plus months of 2022. However, it's actually decreased in some of the city's highest crime zones.

The Denver Crime Map, maintained by the Denver Police Department, tracks data for all 78 official neighborhoods in the city. Last year, Westword reported on violent crime — defined by the DPD as murder, robbery and aggravated assault — from January 1 through November 9, 2021. Comparing those figures to information for the same period in 2022 reveals that such offenses rose in 52 neighborhoods, sometimes by a lot. In University Park, for example, the number of violent crimes during that span went from twelve in 2021 to 25 in 2022. Similar spikes also occurred in Hampden South (from 26 to 57), Bear Valley (from 13 to 33) and Sun Valley (21 to 44).

Five neighborhoods have stayed steady for violent crime: Washington Park West, Regis, Cory-Merrill, Clayton and East Colfax. And offenses dipped in 21 other areas, with the largest slide by percentage in Skyland, whose eight violent crimes between January 1 and November 9, 2022, were fewer than half of the nineteen recorded during the same span in 2021.

The biggest development, though, was the drop in violent-crime counts for four of the five areas with the most offenses overall: Capitol Hill (from 163 in 2021 to 157 in 2022), North Capitol Hill (from 104 to 85), CBD/Central Business District (from 185 to 131) and Union Station (from 167 to 166). The decrease in the area around Union Station lends credence to critics who've argued that the hundreds of people arrested there as part of increased patrols tend to be busted for minor crimes, rather than violent acts.

Here's data for the 78 Denver neighborhoods, ranked from lowest- to highest-crime density — the number of violent offenses per square mile. Included are offense counts and crime-density amounts from both January 1 to November 9, 2022 and January 1 to November 9, 2021, as well as whether the total rose or fell.

1. DIA — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 72
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 1.70 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 48
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 1.13 per square mile

2. Wellshire — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 3
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 3.23 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 2
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 2.15 per square mile

3. Washington Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 8
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 5.29 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 4
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 2.65 per square mile

4. North Park Hill — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 13
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 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

5. Fort Logan — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 15
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 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

6. Indian Creek — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 3
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 6.16 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.37 per square mile

7. Country Club — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 6
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 9.24 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 1
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 1.54 per square mile

8. Belcaro — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 9.44 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 6
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 5.10 per square mile

9. Marston — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 30
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 9.46 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021:11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 3.47 per square mile

10. Hilltop — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 17
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 9.87 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 7
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 4.06 per square mile

11. Lowry Field — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 26
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 10.08 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 30
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 11.63 per square mile

12. Skyland — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 8
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 10.48 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 19
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 24.90 per square mile

13. Washington Park West — Unchanged
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 10
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 11.46 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 10
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 11.46 per square mile

14. South Park Hill — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 20
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 13.41 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 29
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 19.45 per square mile

15. University Hills — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 20
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 13.78 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 19
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 13.09 per square mile

16. Platt Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 12
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 14.67 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 8
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 9.78 per square mile

17. Regis — Unchanged
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 15
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 14.72 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 15
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.72 per square mile

18. Berkeley — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 23
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 15.35 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 12.02 per square mile

19. Southmoor Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 15
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 16.11 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 15.04 per square mile

20. Cory-Merrill — Unchanged
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 14
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 16.69 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 14
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 16.69 per square mile

21. Overland — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 19
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 16.92 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 25
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 22.26 per square mile

22. Central Park (formerly Stapleton) — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 154
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 17.14 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 129
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.36 per square mile

23. Rosedale — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 10
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 17.73 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021:11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 19.50 per square mile

24. University — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 23
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 18.46 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.45 per square mile

25. Hampden South — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 57
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 19.57 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 26
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 12.36 per square mile

26. West Highland — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 23
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 20.48 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 18
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 16.03 per square mile

27. City Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 16
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 20.83 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 11
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 14.32 per square mile

28. Harvey Park South — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 29
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 21.21 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 39
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 28.53 per square mile

29. University Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 25
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 21.50 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 12
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 10.32 per square mile

30. Virginia Village — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 43
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 22.14 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 31
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 15.96 per square mile

31. Sloan Lake — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 23.59 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 28
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 20.01 per square mile

32. Gateway/Green Valley Ranch — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 177
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 24.04 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 135
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 18.33 per square mile

33. Bear Valley — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 24.43 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 13
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 9.62 per square mile

34. Windsor — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 42
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 24.46 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 46
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.90 per square mile

35. Chaffee Park — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 20
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 25.48 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 24
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 30.57 per square mile

36. Elyria-Swansea — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 71
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 27.37 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 86
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 33.15 per square mile

37. Northeast Park Hill — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 96
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 28.83 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 65
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 19.52 per square mile

38. Barnum West — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 21
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 29.01 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 26
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 35.91 per square mile

39. Congress Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 32.07 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 31
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 30.13 per square mile

40. Auraria — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 21
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 32.56 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 17
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.36 per square mile

41. Harvey Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 56
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 33.22 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 45
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.69 per square mile

42. Hale — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 33.92 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 34
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 34.94 per square mile

43. Athmar Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 54
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 34.93 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 49
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 31.70 per square mile

44. Washington Virginia Vale — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 65
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 35.54 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 58
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 31.71 per square mile

45. Montclair — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 37
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 36.56 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 27
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 26.68 per square mile

46. Cherry Creek — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 31
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 37.04 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 23
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 27.48 per square mile

47. Valverde — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 36
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 37.50 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 34.38 per square mile

48. Hampden — Up
Offense Count January 1-Novembber 9, 2022: 108
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 38.23 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 107
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 37.88 per square mile

49. Montbello — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 201
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 39.71 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 178
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 35.16 per square mile

50. Highland — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 46
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 39.90
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 35
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 30.36 per square mile

51. Globeville — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 83
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 40.29 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 69
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 33.49 per square mile

52. Jefferson Park — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 20
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 40.65 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 24
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 48.78 per square mile

53. Sunnyside — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 62
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 43.54 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 40
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 28.09 per square mile

54. Baker — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 67
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 44.91 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 69
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 46.25 per square mile

55. Clayton — Unchanged
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 36
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 46.69 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 36
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 46.69 per square mile

56. Mar Lee — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 73
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 48.44 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 49
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 32.52 per square mile

57. College View-South Platte — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 72
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 49.35 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 66
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 25.44 per square mile

58. Ruby Hill — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 74
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 50.96 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 66
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 45.45 per square mile

59. Speer — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 47
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 55.03 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 38.64 per square mile

60. Barnum — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 44
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 57.07 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 41
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 53.18 per square mile

61. Whittieri— Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022:33
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 58.62 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 30
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 53.29 per square mile

62. Goldsmith — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 48
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 62.10 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 54
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 69.86 per square mile

63. Sun Valley — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 44
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 68.54 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 21
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 32.71 per square mile

64. Kennedy — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 50
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 71.22 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 34
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 48.43 per square mile

65. Cheesman Park — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 38
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 72.11 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 46
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 87.29 per square mile

66. Cole — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 37
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 72.27 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 36
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 70.31 per square mile

67. Lincoln Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 100
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 78.37 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 91
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 71.32 per square mile

68. Villa Park — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 81
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 82.15 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 70
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 70.79 per square mile

69. Westwood — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 127
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 84.84 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 119
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 79.49 per square mile

70. West Colfax — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 121
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 120.28 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 97
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 96.42 per square mile

71. East Colfax — Unchanged
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 145
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 135.64 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 145
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 135.64 per square mile

72. City Park West — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 76
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 142.06 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 59
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 110.28 per square mile

73. Five Points — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 327
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 186.01 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 — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 157
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 232.25 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 — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 85
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 240.79 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 104
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 294.62 per square mile

76. CBD — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 131
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 303.94 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 185
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 429.23 per square mile

77. Civic Center — Up
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 102
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 335.53 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 95
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 312.50 per square mile

78. Union Station — Down
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2022: 166
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2022: 378.13 per square mile
Offense Count January 1-November 9, 2021: 167
Crime Density January 1-November 9, 2021: 380.41 per square mile

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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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