Colorado Springs, CO Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs is 73.9% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 3135 violent crimes reported in Colorado Springs, equivalent to 643 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 73.8%. Additionally, Colorado Springs recorded 16583 property crimes, amounting to 3400 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 74%.

With a total of 4043 crimes per 100,000 people, the Colorado Springs crime rates stand at 73.94 higher than the national average. Consequently, the area grapples with one of the nation's highest total crime rates. Addressing this challenge is crucial for enhancing the safety and livability in Colorado Springs, making it a priority to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative efforts to secure a better future for residents and prospective residents.

The occurrence of vehicle thefts has been increasing nationwide, and Colorado Springs faces one of the highest vehicle theft rates in the United States. In the latest reported crime year, there were a reported 2733 vehicle thefts, translating to 560 stolen vehicles per 100,000 residents. This places Colorado Springs 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 179.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Colorado Springs?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Colorado Springs residents. Out of the respondents (277 in total), 37% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Colorado Springs were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 63% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Colorado Springs a Safe Place to Live?

Is Colorado Springs a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Colorado Springs has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 74%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 54.02 daily incidents, encompassing 8.59 violent crimes and 45.43 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Colorado Springs as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Colorado Springs Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in Colorado Springs. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in Colorado Springs has increased by 6.5%. Violent crimes have increased by 11.7%, while property crimes have increased by 5.6%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.

Colorado Springs Neighborhood Crime Rates

The Colorado Springs region comprises an array of over 11 distinct neighborhoods, each characterized by its unique crime rate influenced by factors including location and socioeconomic conditions. Typically, neighborhoods situated near the city center or downtown core exhibit higher crime rates owing to their higher population density. Conversely, neighborhoods on the city's outskirts tend to boast lower population density, along with reduced unemployment and poverty rates, contributing to a safer environment. Among the secure neighborhoods in Colorado Springs are exemplars such as Northwest Colorado Springs, Briargate and Central Colorado City, whereas Southwest Colorado Springs, Old Colorado City and West Colorado Springs grapple with an above-average reported crime rate. This underscores the necessity for thorough evaluation across multiple neighborhoods, given their notable variations in crime rates.

Potential Causes for Crime in Colorado Springs

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 Colorado Springs crime rates. The population density in Colorado Springs is 2408.6 people per square mile, while the national average is 90.6 people per square mile.

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 Colorado Springs, the cost of living is 6.41% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

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 Colorado Springs, the average monthly rent stands at $1,196, while the national average is $949 per month.

Colorado Springs crime map