6 safest neighborhoods to live in Denver, Colorado

If you want to move to the Mile High City, you might be asking yourself about the safest neighborhoods in Denver. A number of factors play into crime rates in Denver, but obviously some neighborhoods are safer than others!

Here’s a look at some of the safest neighborhoods in Denver. We have also included links to crime data and some information about the demographics of each area.

You will also learn some useful tips about how to find an apartment or home in Denver.

What to know about living safely in Denver

Is it safe in Denver? Realistically, moving to Denver could mean that you need to pay more attention to your surroundings than in your current hometown.

Depending on where you live now, you may need to develop “street smarts” to thrive here.

Here are some of the top questions people have about the safest places in Denver.

Is Denver safe for families, newcomers & travelers?

Denver is a great place to start over! Whether you want to move here forever, or just stay in Denver for the short term, rest easy. Most of the city is incredibly safe.

It’s a good idea to start your search for housing in the safest areas in Denver. Of course, safety also depends on the characteristics of individual streets and residences.

What is the city’s crime rate vs the national average?
Although the city is by no means dangerous, crime rates in Denver are 135% above the average for US cities. This figure is based on recent statistics AreaVibes collected from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

However, renting in one of the safest neighborhoods in Denver will actually mean you are living in an area that has below-average crime for the US as a whole.

What are the most common types of crime that occur in Denver?
The most common type of incident in Mile High City is property crime. This can be anything from a broken window to serious arson.

Property crime does not include violent crimes like assaults, robberies, or break-ins at homes and businesses. The rates of these types of crimes are lower by far, according to the most recent statistics.

While data can be helpful to zero in on the safest parts of the city, you also need to use common sense.

The following six Denver neighborhoods are known for safety.

1. North Park Hill

Leafy North Park Hill is one of the safest places to stay in Denver. This mostly residential neighborhood is known for its mid-century ranch homes set on shady lots. The area is especially popular with young professionals and families with small children.

Although it’s not as bustling as downtown Denver, there’s plenty to see, eat, and explore in North Park Hill. The neighborhood’s major arteries are East 23rd Avenue, East 26th Avenue, and Martin Luther King Boulevard.

According to recent data from Niche.com, North Park Hill has some of the lowest crime rates in Denver. The neighborhood saw only 911.4 thefts per 100,000, compared to the national average of 2,042.8.

There are just over 10,000 residents in the area, and the median age for residents is 36.5 years old. North Park Hill is a fairly affluent neighborhood, with an average annual household income of $126,600 in 2021.

2. Congress Park

Another one of the safest neighborhoods in Denver, Congress Park takes its name from the lovely park near its southwestern border. The neighborhood is mostly residential in character, but there are still plenty of places to eat, drink and shop.

Congress Park is a local treasure, with eight tennis courts, an outdoor pool, and a children’s playground. East Colfax Avenue is lined with cafes and restaurants ranging from Chik-fil-A to Starbucks to the hipster favorite Lost Lake Lounge.

Crime data from Niche shows that the neighborhood recently saw only 115.7 assaults per 100,000 citizens, compared to the national average of 282.7. Burglary and theft rates are also below the national average.

The neighborhood had 11,364 residents as of the last census, and the median age of residents is 35.9 years old.

3. Washington Park

Washington Park is a lovely southeast Denver neighborhood named for the 165-acre greenspace that makes up its western border. The local restaurant scene is clustered along the neighborhood’s eastern border. You can find everything from fine dining to fast casual options, including many breweries.

Leafy Washington Park is popular with young families as well as professionals and students, thanks to its proximity to the University of Denver. Don’t miss the Eugene Field House, a lively history museum that is located just inside Washington Park.

The neighborhood also has some of the lowest crime rates in Denver, according to recent statistics from HomeSnacks. There were just 3,180 crimes per 100,000 residents overall in 2021 based on an analysis of FBI data.

Just over 14,800 people call Washington Park home, according to AreaVibes. The average age of residents is 39.5 years, slightly older than Denver’s overall median age of 34.2.

4. Wellshire

Family-friendly Wellshire is one of the safest places to stay in Denver. This south Denver neighborhood is known for its excellent schools and access to nature. Local highlights include the High Line Canal hiking and cycling trail and the Wellshire Golf Course, which is open to the public.

Wellshire was rated Denver’s safest neighborhood in 2021 by local magazine 5820. It can be pricey to get your foot in the door in Wellshire, as most homes are owner-occupied. The neighborhood’s average median household income is $131,354 and the median age for residents is 44.9 years old.

5. Belcaro

Central Denver’s Belcaro Park neighborhood is another safe neighborhood that’s ideal for newcomers to the city. It’s located near downtown as well as within easy distance of Cherry Creek North.

Belcaro has some great spots to eat and drink, including the delectable Bonnie Brae Ice Cream, which serves up homemade treats. If you love the outdoors, it’s worth knowing that Cherry Creek Trail runs along the neighborhood’s northern border.

In addition, Belcaro is one of the safest neighborhoods in Denver. According to the latest crime statistics from Niche, there were only 49.2 assaults per 100,000 residents, compared to the national average of 282.7.

There are about 4,000 residents of Belcaro, and the median age rent is $1,670 per month, based on data from Niche.

6. University

University is a bustling neighborhood that’s just southeast of Denver’s downtown. The University of Denver is located here.

There are many student-friendly bars, cafes, and restaurants in the neighborhood. Other highlights include the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, a beautiful performing arts venue.

Because many students live in the area, it’s a great spot if you want take advantage of Blueground’s brand-new Studentground program. It’s a student housing solution featuring discounted rates for fully furnished apartments, rent-free when you’re away, flexible durations, and a seamless rental experience close to campus.

Violent crime in University is 18% lower than the national average, based on recent data from AreaVibes. Property crime is higher than in other areas, but this is common in areas with student populations.

There are about 17,000 residents in the neighborhood. The average University resident is 31.9 years old.

Factors to Consider When Determining the Safety of a Neighborhood

For each neighborhood, you’re considering you will want to take the following steps. (It can be a good idea to create a spreadsheet or table where you can record this information for each area you’re considering in your housing search.)

• Check updated crime stats!
  You can find hyperlocal data on crime rates in Denver at websites like My Local Crime and Spot Crime.
• Drive or walk the area yourself
  If you are able to travel to Denver ahead of your move, nothing beats scoping out the area yourself. Finding the safest places to stay in Denver may be a matter of intuition and individual preference.
• Note police presence
  You will want to track this both in terms of officers on the street and the nearest precinct to the neighborhood.
• Speak to locals
  Don’t just rely on a broker, landlord, or website to tell you what a neighborhood is like. It’s a good idea to ask baristas, delivery workers, and local shop owners how long they have lived there and what they like – and don’t like – about the neighborhood.
• Is there heavy traffic in the area?
  Busy areas will experience less crime, but be sure that the traffic is not so noisy that it will bother you.

How to Find a Safe Home Regardless of the Area

Even in the safest places to stay in Denver, you should pay attention to your surroundings. If the vibe feels off, ask yourself why!

Choosing a flexible-term furnished apartment in Denver from Blueground instead of a year-long lease is a great way to move to the safest neighborhoods in Denver.

We carefully select apartments in the safest areas in Denver. Whether you’re living alone or moving to the city with family or friends, you’re covered. Our furnished apartments in Denver include studios, one, two, and three bedrooms.

A short-term rental puts you in the driver’s seat and lets you skip the hassles of setting up utilities and shopping for furniture. We even include a Welcome Kit to help you settle in after you arrive!

We hope this guide to the safest neighborhoods in Denver helps you with your pending relocation to the Mile High City!