Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Denver 2026

The title of worst neighborhood in Denver depends heavily on the metric you use. Some rankings focus on crime rates, while others weigh economic factors like median income and home values. The search results reveal that the most challenged areas are a mix of historically industrial zones, rapidly gentrifying corridors, and neighborhoods near the urban core.

Top 10 Worst Neighborhoods In Denver

1. Sun Valley

Sun Valley ranks first among its bordering neighborhoods for both violent crime and robberies. The reported violent crime rate is 22.25 incidents per 1,000 residents, with robberies at 11.13 per 1,000 and assaults at 27.82 per 1,000. The neighborhood also experiences vehicle-related crime such as car break-ins, affecting property and vehicle operability.

2. Globeville

Globeville ranks first among its neighbors for rape and domestic violence, and second for violent crime, property crime, robberies, and assaults. The violent crime rate is 17.4 per 1,000 residents, while the property crime rate is 104.08 per 1,000. The area also faces significant environmental challenges, including worse exposure to noise pollution and odors due to its proximity to industrial sites and the I-70 corridor.

3. Five Points

Five Points experiences a range of safety issues including theft from public places, police activity, and reports of serious crimes such as shootings. Historically a Black community, it has been identified as a neighborhood where homicides are occurring near the urban core.

4. Barnum

Barnum ranks first among its neighbors for rapes and domestic violence, though it ranks fourth for violent crime and assaults. The violent crime rate is 5.19 per 1,000 residents, with assaults at 5.01 per 1,000 and robberies at 0.91 per 1,000. Assaults in Barnum increased by almost 30 percent in a recent year, from 43 to 57, even as citywide aggravated assaults decreased.

5. Westwood

Westwood ranks second among its neighbors for violent crime, property crime, and assaults. The violent crime rate is 5.2 per 1,000 residents, with property crime at 19.8 per 1,000. Residents deal with theft of metal from yards, stolen car batteries, and traffic incidents involving children on bikes.

6. East Colfax

East Colfax has historically ranked among Denver’s highest-crime neighborhoods, with a rate of 93.3 per 1,000 residents in a past ranking. The area is multilingual and multicultural, but faces poverty, gentrification, displacement, and a lack of public services including libraries, recreation centers, and early childhood education. Recent incidents include burglaries and a series of overnight business vandalisms along the corridor.

7. Central West Denver

Central West Denver ranks first on HomeSnacks’ list of most dangerous neighborhoods. It has a population of 50,475, a median home value of 245,607 dollars, and a median income of 49,508 dollars. The neighborhood faces high crime, high unemployment, low median income, and low home values relative to the city.

8. Northern Denver

Northern Denver ranks second on the HomeSnacks list, with a population of 25,549, a median home value of 226,148 dollars, and a median income of 53,074 dollars. The area also faces significant environmental concerns, including proximity to the Suncor refinery, the Purina plant, and a Superfund site, contributing to pollution and air quality issues.

9. Gateway-Green Valley Ranch

This neighborhood ranks fourth on the HomeSnacks list and has been identified as an area with high homicide counts. It has a population of 35,927, a median home value of 222,990 dollars, and a median income of 68,544 dollars. Homicides in this area occur farther from downtown, in outlying parts of the city.

10. Northeast Park Hill

Northeast Park Hill is historically a Black community and has been identified as a neighborhood where homicides are occurring near Denver’s urban core. It shares challenges with other central neighborhoods, including poverty and displacement pressures.

Comparison Table

Tips for Understanding Neighborhood Safety

Start by recognizing that crime data can be misleading when taken out of context.

Some neighborhoods have small residential populations but high commercial traffic, which can inflate crime statistics without reflecting the experience of residents.

Look at both per-capita rates and total crime counts when evaluating an area.

Economic indicators like median income and home value can provide additional context about a neighborhood’s overall health.

Finally, note that crime is not evenly distributed within a neighborhood; a single block can feel very different from the next.

Closing

Denver’s most challenged neighborhoods face a combination of crime, economic hardship, and in some cases environmental burdens. Sun Valley, Globeville, and Five Points have the highest violent crime rates relative to their neighbors, while areas like Central West Denver and Northern Denver struggle with lower incomes and home values.

East Colfax has historically been one of the city’s highest-crime corridors. Note that all crime data is subject to change and varies by reporting period and source. It is always best to verify current details directly with official Denver Police Department resources and neighborhood organizations.