Westminster, CO Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Westminster, CO

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Westminster is 106.5% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 374 violent crimes reported in Westminster, equivalent to 331 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 10.4%. Additionally, Westminster recorded 5042 property crimes, amounting to 4468 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 128.6%.

Having a crime rate of 4800 per 100,000 residents, Westminster experiences a crime rate that is 106.5% higher when compared to the national average, leading to one of the highest overall crime rates in the nation. It's important to clarify that this doesn't imply the entire city is unsafe. Like any area, Westminster contains neighborhoods with varying safety levels and you can find areas that are notably safer than others, emphasizing the need for targeted crime prevention efforts and community engagement initiatives.

For violent crimes per 100,000 people, Westminster has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 331 violent crimes, while the national average reported 370. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.

With a property crime rate of 4468 crimes per 100,000 people, Westminster unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Westminster is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 23, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Westminster faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 1466 vehicle thefts, translating to 1299 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Westminster 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 77.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Westminster?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Westminster. Based on the results of the surveys (23 responses), 57% of people felt that there was very little crime in Westminster and felt safe walking alone at night. While 43% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Westminster a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Westminster a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Westminster crime rate is 107% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 14.84 crimes per day - 1.02 violent crimes and 13.81 property crimes.

Has Crime in Westminster Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Westminster has decreased by 3.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Westminster is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 17.6%, while property crime has decreased by 2.4%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Westminster.

Potential Causes for Crime in Westminster

If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Westminster crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Westminster has an unemployment rate of 3.1%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Westminster has a population density of 3635.6 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Westminster crime rates.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Westminster, 87.8% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

Westminster crime map