C-
28%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
21%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
37%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleSterling/100k peopleColorado/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime408n/a (estimate)2,9753,6402,324
Murder0n/a0.06.46.3
Rape8n/a58.363.440.0
Robbery2n/a14.672.666.1
Assault30n/a218.8350.1268.2
Violent crime40n/a (estimate)292493370
Burglary60n/a437.5395.2269.8
Theft284n/a2,071.01,966.71,401.9
Vehicle theft24n/a175.0785.7282.7
Property crime368n/a (estimate)2,6843,1481,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Sterling, CO

The Sterling crime rates are 28% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 40 violent crimes in Sterling (292 per 100,000 people), which is 21.1% lower than the national average and there were a total of 368 property crimes (2684 per 100,000 residents) which is 37.3% higher than average.

In the most recently reported crime year, Sterling registered zero reported homicides. This statistic not only designates the area as an exemplar of security but also emanates a profound sense of safety within its community. A minimal incidence of severe violent crime not only fosters a strong sense of well-being among residents but also sets a commendable standard for other regions aiming to cultivate similarly safe surroundings.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Sterling?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Sterling residents. Out of the respondents (17 in total), 29% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Sterling were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 71% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Sterling a Safe Place to Live?

To get a feel for the safety of living in Sterling, it's essential to analyze both the overall crime rate and the daily incident count. Sterling presents a total crime rate that is 28% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. Consequently, Sterling experiences an average of 1.12 daily crimes, comprising 0.11 violent incidents and 1.01 property-related offenses. This evaluation offers a comprehensive understanding of the safety landscape, aiding individuals in making informed decisions when considering relocation.

Has Crime in Sterling Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Sterling has decreased by 22%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Sterling, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has decreased by 29.8%, while property crime has decreased by 21%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Sterling is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Sterling

In areas where employment options are limited or where a significant proportion of jobs offer meager wages, the likelihood of heightened unemployment and homelessness increases. Regions facing challenges related to unemployment or inadequate income may become more vulnerable to a surge in crime stemming from economic instability. While low unemployment rates tend to lead to reduced crime in most areas. Sterling currently has an unemployment rate of 3.7%, contrasting with the national average of 4.7%. This could be one of many factors that could contribute to a higher or lower crime rate.

The level of education within a community can impact crime rates. Higher educational attainment often correlates with lower crime rates, as it provides individuals with better job opportunities and alternatives to criminal behavior. While lower educational achievement rates tend to lead to higher crime rates. In Sterling, 77.8% of people have completed high school, while 83% of people have completed high school nationally.

High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In Sterling, the cost of living is 13.61% lower than the national average.

Sterling crime map



The Sterling crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Sterling as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Sterling crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Sterling crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Sterling crime rates are 28% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Sterling are 21% lower than the national average
      • In Sterling you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Sterling is safer than 29% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Sterling has decreased by 20%

      Sterling, CO Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Sterling

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        Daily Crime In Sterling (per 100,000 people)

        The chart above shows the number of daily crimes in Sterling, CO per 100,000 people. In Sterling, the number of daily crimes is projected to be 1.22 times less than the Colorado average and 1.28 times more than the national average. The average number of daily violent crimes in Sterling is 1.69 times less than the Colorado average and 1.27 times less than the daily national average. With regards to property crimes, Sterling has a daily crime rate that is 1.17 times less than the Colorado average and 1.37 times more than the overall daily national average.

        How Safe is Sterling (higher is better)

        How safe is Sterling, Colorado compared to other cities in Colorado and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Sterling is safer than 42% of the cities in Colorado and 29% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Colorado and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Sterling. Overall, Sterling is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Sterling

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Sterling is 1 in 343
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Sterling is 1 in 38
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Sterling is 1 in 34
        Wondering what the chances are that you fall victim to a crime in Sterling? In Sterling, CO you have a 1 in 343 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and motor vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 34 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Sterling.

        Year Over Year Crime In Sterling (per 100,000 people)

        Determining whether Sterling is becoming less or more safe for its residents (per 100,000) is most easily done by comparing year-over-year crime rates. Sterling violent crime rates have decreased by 28%. At the same time, property crime has decreased by 19% year over year. Total crimes for Sterling has decreased by 20% in the same time frame.

        Sterling police department

        Item Sterling Colorado National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)229,049558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents1.59.63.3
        There are a total of 22 Sterling police officers. This results in 1.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 84.6% less than the Colorado average and 54.7% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Colorado

        State Total offenders Colorado /100K National /100K
        Colorado11,204251266
        There are a total of 11,204 sex offenders in Colorado. This yields a total of 251 sex offenders in Colorado per 100,000 residents which is 6% less than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Morgan Heights, CO2275243,3533,877
        Merino, CO2727574,8425,599
        Iliff, CO3457764,9635,738
        Sterling, CO14,4212922,6842,975

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Villas, FL14,4212751,6611,936
        Hartselle, AL14,4211921,0301,222
        Morris, IL14,4201931,3921,585
        Rio Grande City, TX14,4111461,7321,878
        Colesville, MD14,3972409871,227
        Sterling, CO14,4212922,6842,975
        Source: The Sterling, CO crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.