Is Denver or Wheat Ridge Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Wheat Ridge is safer than Denver (Safety Score 4/100 vs 2/100), with a total crime rate of 4,947 per 100,000 versus 5,755 for Denver — 14% lower. Denver has higher rates in 1 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in murder, where Wheat Ridge has a 100% lower rate.
Note: Denver is 22.8x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Denver — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Wheat Ridge — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Denver, CO
Wheat Ridge, CO
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Denver | Wheat Ridge | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,754.7 | 4,947.0 | +807.7 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 993.2 | 480.8 | +512.4 |
| Murder Rate | 9.8 | 0.0 | +9.8 |
| Rape Rate | 93.6 | 82.2 | +11.4 |
| Robbery Rate | 176.2 | 44.3 | +131.9 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 713.4 | 354.3 | +359.1 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,761.6 | 4,466.2 | +295.3 |
| Burglary Rate | 708.0 | 616.8 | +91.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,821.6 | 3,150.4 | -328.8 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 1,231.9 | 699.0 | +532.9 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Denver or Wheat Ridge safer?
Wheat Ridge is safer with a total crime rate of 4,947 per 100K vs 5,755 for Denver — a 14% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Denver has a violent crime rate of 993.2 per 100K while Wheat Ridge has 480.8. Wheat Ridge has lower violent crime.
About Denver, CO
Denver, the "Mile High City," sits at the base of the Rocky Mountains, a hub of Western expansion since its 1858 founding during the Gold Rush. This rapidly growing city is home to a diverse population of over 700,000 residents. With a safety score of 2/100 and a population coverage of 722,031, Denver has a total crime rate of 5,754.7 per 100,000 residents.
About Wheat Ridge, CO
Wheat Ridge, a Denver suburb, was once known for its abundant market gardens supplying the city. Today, this city of over 32,000 residents lies along Clear Creek, offering a blend of residential areas and local businesses. With a safety score of 4/100 and a population coverage of 31,615, Wheat Ridge has a total crime rate of 4,947.0 per 100,000 residents.