C-
84%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
44%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
108%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleGolden/100k peopleColorado/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime838n/a (estimate)4,2673,6402,324
Murder0n/a0.06.46.3
Rape2n/a10.263.440.0
Robbery3n/a15.372.666.1
Assault36n/a183.3350.1268.2
Violent crime41n/a (estimate)209493370
Burglary112n/a570.3395.2269.8
Theft584n/a2,973.81,966.71,401.9
Vehicle theft101n/a514.3785.7282.7
Property crime797n/a (estimate)4,0583,1481,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Golden, CO

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Golden crime rate is 83.6% higher than the national average. These incidents are classified into two primary categories: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes include assault, robbery, rape and murder. Whereas property crimes encompass theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In the case of Golden, there were 41 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 209 per 100,000 individuals, 43.5% lower than the national average. Additionally, Golden recorded 797 property crimes, amounting to 4058 per 100,000 residents, 107.7% higher than the U.S. average.

In Golden, the crime rate stands at 4267 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 83.6%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Golden that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Golden reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

Every year, one in 25 people fall victim to a property crime in Golden - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 4058 per 100,000 people, Golden has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Golden faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 101 vehicle thefts, translating to 514 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Golden in the bottom 10% among all cities, signifying that 90% of cities have less stolen vehicles. The likelihood of experiencing a vehicle theft is 1 in 195.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Golden?

What do the local residents think about crime in Golden? Well, based on a recent survey of 13 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 77% of Golden residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 23% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Golden a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Golden is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Golden has a total crime rate that is 84% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.3 daily crimes (0.11 violent daily crimes and 2.18 daily property crimes) in Golden.

Has Crime in Golden Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Golden has increased by 9.1%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Golden, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 12.8%, while property crime has increased by 10.5%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Golden is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Golden

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Golden, the cost of living is 24.01% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In Golden, the ratio of police officers and civilians stands at 2.95 per 1,000 residents, contrasting with the national average of 3.25. This discrepancy highlights the potential impact of law enforcement and community policing on crime rates. The strength of their collaboration can serve as a deterrent to criminal behavior, fostering a safer environment. Effective law enforcement leans heavily on community policing strategies that prioritize the cultivation of trust and cooperation between police and residents. It's essential to recognize that the effectiveness of these efforts isn't solely tied to the quantity of officers but also hinges on the quality of their engagement with the community.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Golden has a median home price of $541,400, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Golden crime map



The Golden crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Golden as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Golden crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Golden crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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Compare Golden, CO Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Golden crime rates are 84% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Golden are 44% lower than the national average
      • In Golden you have a 1 in 24 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Golden is safer than 27% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Golden has increased by 14%

      Golden, CO Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Golden

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        Daily Crime In Golden (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Golden, CO per 100,000 people. In Golden, the total number of daily crimes is 1.17 times more than the Colorado average and 1.84 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Golden is 2.36 times less than the Colorado average and 1.77 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Golden has a daily crime rate that is 1.29 times more than the Colorado average and 2.08 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Golden (higher is better)

        When comparing the safety of Golden to every other city in Colorado, as well as the entirety of the United States, is Golden safe? The gauges above illustrate that Golden is safer than 36% of every city located within Colorado along with 27% of the all the cities located in the United States. The results of these graphs are created after analyzing each of the cities in Colorado and in the United States as a whole. As a result, Golden, CO is ranked below average when compared to the rest of the US cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Golden

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Golden is 1 in 479
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Golden is 1 in 25
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Golden is 1 in 24
        Interested in knowing the odds that you will be a crime victim in Golden? In Golden, you have a 1 in 479 chance of falling victim to a violent crime, such as rape, robbery, assault, or even murder. In terms of property crime, your chances of being a victim are 1 in 25. These crimes include theft, vehicle theft, and burglary. Your overall chance of being a victim of crime in Golden, CO is 1 in 24.

        Year Over Year Crime In Golden (per 100,000 people)

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Golden, CO is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Golden has decreased by 9%, while the property crime rate in Golden has increased by 15% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Golden has increased by 14% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Golden police department

        Item Golden Colorado National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)579,049558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.09.63.3
        There are a total of 57 Golden police officers. This results in 3.0 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 69.1% less than the Colorado average and 9.2% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Colorado

        State Total offenders Colorado /100K National /100K
        Colorado11,204251266
        There are a total of 11,204 sex offenders in Colorado. This yields a total of 251 sex offenders in Colorado per 100,000 residents which is 6% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Upper Bear Creek, CO79969442511
        Columbine Valley, CO1,49869442511
        Coal Creek, CO2,60569442511
        Bow Mar, CO96969442511
        Genesee, CO4,09994600693
        Kittredge, CO95497622720
        Floyd Hill, CO824106680786
        Golden, CO20,3912094,0584,267

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Forest Lake, MN20,3931021,9702,072
        Crest Hill, IL20,3882621,0651,327
        Elko, NV20,3964651,9262,391
        Northfield, MN20,399125742868
        Bayshore Gardens, FL20,3803692,2332,602
        Golden, CO20,3912094,0584,267
        Source: The Golden, CO crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.