| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Lakewood/100k people | Colorado/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 9,166 | n/a (estimate) | 5,881 | 3,069 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 4 | n/a | 2.6 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 93 | n/a | 59.7 | 58.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 215 | n/a | 137.9 | 63.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 915 | n/a | 587.0 | 350.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 1,227 | n/a (estimate) | 787 | 476 | 359 |
| Burglary | 917 | n/a | 588.3 | 348.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 5,817 | n/a | 3,732.0 | 1,754.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 1,205 | n/a | 773.1 | 490.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 7,939 | n/a (estimate) | 5,093 | 2,593 | 1,760 |

Crime is typically categorized into two main types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. Based on the most recent report, the Lakewood crime rate is higher than the national average by 177.5%. Specifically, there were 1227 violent crimes in Lakewood, equivalent to 787 per 100,000 individuals, higher than the national average by 119.2%. Furthermore, Lakewood recorded 7939 property crimes, amounting to 5093 per 100,000 residents, which was higher than the average by 189.4%.
Lakewood has a crime rate of 5881 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 177.49%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Lakewood. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
Lakewood is one of the most dangerous cities in America with a violent crime rate of 787 per 100,000 people - this ranks in the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities that reported crime. Your chance of being a victim of violent crime in Lakewood is 1 in 128.
Lakewood reports one of the nation's highest property crime rates, with 5093 incidents per 100,000 people, positioning it among the worst 10% of American cities reporting crime. This unfortunate statistic translates to a 1 in 20 chance of falling victim to property crime in Lakewood, significantly surpassing the national average. These figures underscore the city's challenges in combating property-related offenses, necessitating a concerted effort to enhance security and community safety.
With a total of 1205 vehicle thefts last year, Lakewood has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 773 per 100,000 people. This lands Lakewood in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 130.
What do the local residents think about crime in Lakewood? Well, based on a recent survey of 80 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 39% of Lakewood residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 61% 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 Lakewood 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. Lakewood has a total crime rate that is 177% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 25.11 daily crimes (3.36 violent daily crimes and 21.75 daily property crimes) in Lakewood.
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 Lakewood 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 Lakewood has decreased by 4.9% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 12.8% and property crime has decreased by 7.2%.
Lakewood has a population density of 3705.2 people per square mile, contrasting with the national average of 90.6 people per square mile. High population density cities are often large urban hubs teeming with diverse economic opportunities. Within these environments, income disparities can become pronounced, leading to higher poverty levels. This economic divide may contribute to an uptick in property crimes and, occasionally, violent crimes. In contrast, areas characterized by low population density typically exhibit lower Lakewood crime rates.
In Lakewood, 87.8% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
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 Lakewood, the cost of living is 33% higher than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

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| Item | Lakewood | Colorado | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 410 | 9,049 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.8 | 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 |
| Inverness, CO | 1,919 | 67 | 364 | 431 |
| Indian Hills, CO | 1,398 | 67 | 364 | 431 |
| Aspen Park, CO | 1,075 | 68 | 369 | 437 |
| Holly Hills, CO | 2,910 | 75 | 407 | 481 |
| Coal Creek, CO | 2,670 | 75 | 407 | 481 |
| Bow Mar, CO | 999 | 0 | 491 | 491 |
| Columbine Valley, CO | 1,555 | 115 | 632 | 747 |
| Lakewood, CO | 159,208 | 787 | 5,093 | 5,881 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Palmdale, CA | 158,635 | 551 | 1,865 | 2,416 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | 158,411 | 489 | 2,511 | 3,000 |
| Pasadena, TX | 157,942 | 566 | 2,352 | 2,918 |
| Clarksville, TN | 160,664 | 410 | 1,632 | 2,042 |
| Hollywood, FL | 157,605 | 209 | 1,114 | 1,323 |
| Lakewood, CO | 159,208 | 787 | 5,093 | 5,881 |