F
135%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
6%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
160%
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 peopleWheat Ridge/100k peopleColorado/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime1,811n/a (estimate)5,4713,6402,324
Murder0n/a0.06.46.3
Rape17n/a51.463.440.0
Robbery30n/a90.672.666.1
Assault83n/a250.7350.1268.2
Violent crime130n/a (estimate)393493370
Burglary166n/a501.5395.2269.8
Theft1,118n/a3,377.21,966.71,401.9
Vehicle theft397n/a1,199.3785.7282.7
Property crime1,681n/a (estimate)5,0783,1481,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Wheat Ridge, 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 Wheat Ridge is 135.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 130 violent crimes reported in Wheat Ridge, equivalent to 393 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 6.2%. Additionally, Wheat Ridge recorded 1681 property crimes, amounting to 5078 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 159.8%.

In Wheat Ridge, the crime rate stands at 5471 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 135.38%. 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 Wheat Ridge 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.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Wheat Ridge maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 393 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Wheat Ridge shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

In the latest reported crime year, Wheat Ridge recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

With a property crime rate of 5078 crimes per 100,000 people, Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 20, 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.

With a total of 397 vehicle thefts last year, Wheat Ridge has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 1199 per 100,000 people. This lands Wheat Ridge in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 84.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Wheat Ridge?

AreaVibes surveyed 25 local residents in Wheat Ridge to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 64% of people answered that there was very little crime in Wheat Ridge and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 36% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Wheat Ridge a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Wheat Ridge, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Wheat Ridge presents a total crime rate that is 135% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Wheat Ridge experiences an average of 4.96 daily crimes, comprising 0.36 violent incidents and 4.61 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Wheat Ridge Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Wheat Ridge has decreased by 15.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Wheat Ridge 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 24.9%, while property crime has decreased by 14.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Wheat Ridge.

Potential Causes for Crime in Wheat Ridge

High population density areas are often large urban centers with diverse economic opportunities. These areas can exacerbate income inequality, with pockets of poverty existing alongside affluence. Areas with economic disparities may experience higher property crimes and, in some cases, violent crimes. On the other hand, areas with low population density tend to see lower Wheat Ridge crime rates. The population density in Wheat Ridge is 3412.9 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Wheat Ridge is $426,500, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Wheat Ridge, the average monthly rent stands at $1,164, while the national average is $949 per month.

Wheat Ridge crime map



The Wheat Ridge crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Wheat Ridge 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 Wheat Ridge crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Wheat Ridge 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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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Wheat Ridge crime rates are 135% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Wheat Ridge are 6% higher than the national average
      • In Wheat Ridge you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Wheat Ridge is safer than 11% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Wheat Ridge has decreased by 18%

      Wheat Ridge, CO Crime Quiz

         

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        Daily Crime In Wheat Ridge (per 100,000 people)

        The bar chart above reveals the rate of daily crimes in Wheat Ridge for every 100,000 residents. The Wheat Ridge total amount of daily crime is 1.50 times more than the Colorado average and 2.35 times more than than that of the nation. As for violent crimes, the daily average in Wheat Ridge, is 1.25 times less than the Colorado average, and it is 1.06 times more than the national average. The statistics for property crimes show that Wheat Ridge has a daily crime average that is 1.61 times more than the Colorado average and 2.60 times more than the daily national rate.

        How Safe is Wheat Ridge (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Colorado and all other cities across the US, is Wheat Ridge safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Wheat Ridge is safer than 16% of other cities in the state of Colorado. In addition, Wheat Ridge is safer than 11% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Colorado and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Wheat Ridge. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Wheat Ridge is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Wheat Ridge

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Wheat Ridge is 1 in 255
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Wheat Ridge is 1 in 20
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Wheat Ridge is 1 in 19
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Wheat Ridge? In Wheat Ridge, CO you have a 1 in 255 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 20 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 19 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Wheat Ridge.

        Year Over Year Crime In Wheat Ridge (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Wheat Ridge is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Wheat Ridge has decreased by 27%, while the property crime rate in Wheat Ridge has decreased by 17% year over year. The number of total crimes in Wheat Ridge has decreased by 18% year over year.

        Wheat Ridge police department

        Item Wheat Ridge Colorado National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)999,049558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents3.29.63.3
        There are a total of 99 Wheat Ridge police officers. This results in 3.2 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 66.5% less than the Colorado average and 1.4% 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
        Columbine Valley, CO1,49869442511
        Coal Creek, CO2,60569442511
        Bow Mar, CO96969442511
        Inverness, CO1,86369442511
        Todd Creek, CO4,63594600693
        Genesee, CO4,09994600693
        Kittredge, CO95497622720
        Wheat Ridge, CO31,8893935,0785,471

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Spring Valley, CA31,8666102,8573,466
        Dover, NH31,922391,0161,055
        Los Gatos, CA31,9431711,8271,997
        Kaysville, UT31,95764791854
        Bay Shore, NY31,8194921,9742,466
        Wheat Ridge, CO31,8893935,0785,471
        Source: The Wheat Ridge, 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.