Boulder, CO Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Boulder, CO Crime & Safety

Is Boulder, CO safe to live in?

Boulder earns an overall crime grade of B+ and a city-wide safety rating of Very Safe (A) — one of the strongest profiles among Colorado cities. Of the 68 neighborhoods analyzed, 98.5% received a Grade A and the remaining 1.5% (one neighborhood, Glenwood) received a Grade B+. That means 100% of Boulder's neighborhoods fall into the safe category (A or B combined). Neighborhoods like Rolling Hills, Orchard Park, Wonderland Hills, Four Mile Creek, and Orange Orchard all carry A+ ratings, reflecting exceptionally low crime activity. Even the highest-crime area identified in the data, Glenwood, grades out at B+ — a rating most cities would envy. For context, Boulder's population of 122,549 is spread across a relatively low density of 1,595 residents per square mile, which contributes to manageable policing and strong community cohesion. By any reasonable measure, Boulder is a very safe place to live.

What is the crime rate in Boulder, CO?

Boulder's crime landscape is best understood through its grade distribution rather than abstract numbers. Across all 68 neighborhoods studied, 98.5% earned a Grade A for safety and 1.5% earned a Grade B — with zero neighborhoods grading C, D, or F. The areas with relatively elevated crime compared to the Boulder average include Glenwood (B+), Goss-Grove (A-), and East Aurora (A-). Even these higher-crime pockets sit firmly in the safe range. Property crime — including vehicle break-ins and theft — tends to be the most common incident category in urban Colorado cities, and Boulder is no exception; violent crime incidents are comparatively rare. The city's median household income of $72,279 and active community engagement programs help sustain these low crime levels, though the 20.3% poverty rate does create pockets of economic stress that correlate with slightly elevated activity in areas like Goss-Grove and Keewaydin Meadows.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Boulder?

Ten neighborhoods stand out as Boulder's safest, all earning an A+ grade:

• Rolling Hills — Population: 739 | Median Income: $134,130
• University of Colorado Main Campus — Population: 6,561 | Median Income: $47,348
• Wonderland Hills — Population: 885 | Median Income: $121,424
• Orchard Park — Population: 732 | Median Income: $136,016
• Githens Acres — Population: 189 | Median Income: $115,438
• Orange Orchard — Population: 196 | Median Income: $161,606
• Four Mile Creek — Population: 250 | Median Income: $158,667
• Centennial — Population: 217 | Median Income: $115,476
• Forest Glen — Population: 340 | Median Income: $121,363
• Moores — Population: 448 | Median Income: $138,489

A notable data point: Orange Orchard and Four Mile Creek have the highest median incomes among these top-rated neighborhoods ($161,606 and $158,667 respectively), while the University of Colorado Main Campus area achieves an A+ rating despite a much lower median income of $47,348 — suggesting that campus safety infrastructure and community density play a meaningful role beyond income alone.

Which Boulder neighborhoods have higher crime?

No Boulder neighborhood grades below a B+, which is important context. The neighborhoods with relatively higher crime compared to the city average are Glenwood (B+), Goss-Grove (A-), East Aurora (A-), Keewaydin Meadows (A), and Boulder Meadows (A). Glenwood is the only neighborhood that did not achieve an A-range grade, landing at B+ — still a solid safety score by national standards. Goss-Grove and East Aurora, both grading A-, sit just a notch below the city's dominant A and A+ tier. If you're comparing neighborhoods for a move or rental decision, these areas warrant a closer look at recent incident reports, but none should be characterized as dangerous. The absence of any C, D, or F grades across all 68 neighborhoods is a meaningful statistical achievement.

Is Boulder a good place to live in 2026?

Boulder ranks as a compelling place to live in 2026, particularly for those who prioritize safety and outdoor access. The data supports this: 100% of its 68 analyzed neighborhoods grade as safe (A or B), the overall city safety rating is Very Safe (A), and the overall crime grade is B+. The median home value of $735,512 and median rent of $1,588 reflect a competitive housing market, and the unemployment rate of 5.5% is in line with national averages. The poverty rate of 20.3% is higher than you might expect for a city with a $735K median home value — a gap largely driven by Boulder's large student population, which pulls down income averages in areas like the University of Colorado Main Campus neighborhood (median income: $47,348) while keeping overall crime low. For families, retirees, and professionals alike, neighborhoods like Rolling Hills, Wonderland Hills, and Orchard Park — all graded A+ — offer a combination of safety, community character, and proximity to Boulder's well-known amenities.

How does Boulder's safety compare to other Colorado cities?

Boulder's safety profile is exceptionally strong relative to most Colorado cities. With 98.5% of neighborhoods grading A and only one neighborhood (Glenwood) outside the A tier — and that one still grading B+ — Boulder's grade distribution is nearly uniform at the top of the scale. Cities with comparable populations often show a much wider spread of grades, including C and D neighborhoods. Boulder's combination of a Very Safe (A) city-wide rating and a B+ overall crime grade places it among Colorado's safer mid-sized cities. Contributing factors likely include the city's strong civic institutions, relatively high median income of $72,279, engaged neighborhood associations, and the stabilizing presence of the University of Colorado campus community.