Brighton, CO Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Brighton, CO

When we analyze the latest crime report, the Brighton crime rate is 44% 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 Brighton, there were 170 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 413 per 100,000 individuals, 11.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, Brighton recorded 1209 property crimes, amounting to 2934 per 100,000 residents, 50.1% higher than the U.S. average.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Brighton maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 413 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 370. This alignment suggests that Brighton shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

With a total of 281 vehicle thefts last year, Brighton has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 682 per 100,000 people. This lands Brighton in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 147.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Brighton?

AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Brighton. Based on the results of the surveys (14 responses), 21% of people felt that there was very little crime in Brighton and felt safe walking alone at night. While 79% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.

Is Brighton a Safe Place to Live?

Determining whether Brighton is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, Brighton has an overall crime rate that is 44% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 3.78 daily occurrences, comprising 0.47 violent crimes and 3.31 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of Brighton as a potential place to establish residency.

Has Crime in Brighton Increased Since Last Year?

Examining year-over-year crime data provides insights into short-term trends with regards to the crime activity in Brighton. This analysis involves comparing crime rates from one year to the next, enabling the identification of patterns and fluctuations in crime. Such information proves invaluable to residents seeking to make well-informed decisions about their choice of residence. In the most recent year, compared to the previous one, total crime in Brighton has increased by 6.7%. Specifically, violent crime has increased by 53.2%, while property crime has increased by 2.4%. This data empowers individuals with a clearer understanding of the evolving safety landscape in Brighton.

Potential Causes for Crime in Brighton

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 Brighton 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. Brighton has an unemployment rate of 2.9%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Brighton has a population density of 1802.3 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 Brighton crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, 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 Brighton, the cost of living is 0.4% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Brighton crime map