| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lafayette/100k people | Colorado/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 899 | n/a (estimate) | 2,953 | 3,069 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 19 | n/a | 62.4 | 58.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 6 | n/a | 19.7 | 63.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 58 | n/a | 190.5 | 350.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 83 | n/a (estimate) | 273 | 476 | 359 |
| Burglary | 149 | n/a | 489.5 | 348.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 594 | n/a | 1,951.3 | 1,754.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 73 | n/a | 239.8 | 490.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 816 | n/a (estimate) | 2,681 | 2,593 | 1,760 |
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 Lafayette is 39.4% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 83 violent crimes reported in Lafayette, equivalent to 273 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 24.1%. Additionally, Lafayette recorded 816 property crimes, amounting to 2681 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 52.3%.
In the latest reported crime year, Lafayette recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.
What do the local residents think about crime in Lafayette? Well, based on a recent survey of 8 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 88% of Lafayette residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 13% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Lafayette is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Lafayette has a total crime rate that is 39% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 2.46 daily crimes (0.23 violent daily crimes and 2.24 daily property crimes) in Lafayette.
Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Lafayette crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Lafayette has decreased by 0.3% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 2.4% and property crime has decreased by 0.1%.
Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Lafayette, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 4%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.
The median home price in Lafayette is $838,258, compared to the national average of $326,622. High housing costs can lead to financial stress for residents. When individuals struggle to make ends meet due to expensive housing, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities to address their financial difficulties, such as theft or fraud. Communities with stable housing environments tend to foster stronger social bonds and community engagement. This can lead to increased vigilance and cooperation among residents, which can deter criminal behavior.
In Lafayette, the average rental rates are $2,527 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444. Rapid increases in rental costs can lead to neighborhood instability as residents are forced to move frequently in search of more affordable housing. This transience can weaken community bonds and hinder the establishment of social support networks, which can indirectly contribute to crime. While affordable rent and areas with higher income per capita, allow for long term renters and community bonds to the formed, therefore reducing crime rates on the long term.
| Item | Lafayette | Colorado | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 46 | 9,049 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.8 | 9.6 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Colorado /100K | National /100K |
| Colorado | 11,204 | 251 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Lazy Acres, CO | 1,111 | 67 | 364 | 431 |
| Coal Creek, CO | 2,670 | 75 | 407 | 481 |
| Frederick, CO | 10,750 | 85 | 617 | 702 |
| Todd Creek, CO | 4,802 | 124 | 674 | 797 |
| Niwot, CO | 4,247 | 124 | 674 | 797 |
| Erie, CO | 28,201 | 30 | 896 | 926 |
| Dacono, CO | 6,316 | 120 | 853 | 973 |
| Lafayette, CO | 28,546 | 273 | 2,681 | 2,953 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Converse, TX | 28,554 | 369 | 1,504 | 1,872 |
| Old Bridge, NJ | 28,566 | 193 | 1,261 | 1,454 |
| Milton, MA | 28,525 | 52 | 562 | 614 |
| Kirkwood, MO | 28,511 | 213 | 1,396 | 1,609 |
| Oxford, MS | 28,503 | 127 | 1,853 | 1,980 |
| Lafayette, CO | 28,546 | 273 | 2,681 | 2,953 |
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