| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Sterling/100k people | Colorado/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 425 | n/a (estimate) | 3,319 | 3,069 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 0 | n/a | 0.0 | 4.5 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 4 | n/a | 31.2 | 58.3 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1 | n/a | 7.8 | 63.0 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 46 | n/a | 359.2 | 350.5 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 51 | n/a (estimate) | 398 | 476 | 359 |
| Burglary | 53 | n/a | 413.9 | 348.0 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 296 | n/a | 2,311.4 | 1,754.2 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 25 | n/a | 195.2 | 490.6 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 374 | n/a (estimate) | 2,921 | 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 Sterling is 56.6% higher than the national average. Specifically, there were 51 violent crimes reported in Sterling, equivalent to 398 per 100,000 residents, which is higher than the national average by 10.9%. Additionally, Sterling recorded 374 property crimes, amounting to 2921 per 100,000 people, higher than the national average by 65.9%.
Sterling exhibits a violent crime rate that closely echoes the national average reported by all cities, with 398 incidents per 100,000 people, in line with the nationwide figure of 359. This uniformity underscores Sterling as a community where safety standards align seamlessly with the broader national context, delivering residents a steadfast and dependable sense of security.
In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Sterling reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Sterling. Based on the results of the surveys (19 responses), 26% of people felt that there was very little crime in Sterling and felt safe walking alone at night. While 74% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
To determine if Sterling 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. Sterling has a total crime rate that is 57% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 1.16 daily crimes (0.14 violent daily crimes and 1.02 daily property crimes) in Sterling.
Year-over-year crime rates in Sterling has decreased by 18.7% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Sterling is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has decreased by 10.5%, while property crime has decreased by 19.7%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Sterling.
Sterling has a poverty rate of 12.4, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
In Sterling, 77.8% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community 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.
High rental costs can limit economic mobility, making it difficult for individuals to save money, invest in education, or access better job opportunities. This can perpetuate a cycle of poverty and increase the risk of involvement in criminal activities. In summary, high rental costs can create economic challenges, overcrowding, and neighborhood dynamics that may increase the likelihood of certain types of crime, particularly property crimes. In Sterling, the average rental rates are $1,238 per month, compared to the national average of $1,444.

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| Item | Sterling | Colorado | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 22 | 9,049 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 1.5 | 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 |
| Morgan Heights, CO | 236 | 192 | 1,048 | 1,240 |
| Atwood, CO | 159 | 625 | 3,406 | 4,031 |
| Padroni, CO | 64 | 668 | 3,640 | 4,308 |
| Iliff, CO | 354 | 740 | 4,031 | 4,771 |
| Sterling, CO | 14,909 | 398 | 2,921 | 3,319 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| North Auburn, CA | 14,919 | 453 | 1,937 | 2,390 |
| Roanoke Rapids, NC | 14,926 | 897 | 3,380 | 4,277 |
| Colesville, MD | 14,928 | 188 | 917 | 1,105 |
| Summerfield, MD | 14,929 | 423 | 2,062 | 2,485 |
| Livingston, CA | 14,885 | 372 | 1,407 | 1,779 |
| Sterling, CO | 14,909 | 398 | 2,921 | 3,319 |