El Paso County in Colorado is a diverse and sizable region encompassing the central portion of the state. It hosts approximately 720,000 residents and is centered around Colorado Springs, the state’s second-largest city.
While the county is home to numerous secure and prosperous communities, it also contends with certain neighborhoods grappling with elevated levels of crime and violence. According to data from the Crime Strategies Unit of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office, the following are the five most hazardous neighborhoods in El Paso County, Colorado, as of 2020:
West Colorado Springs:
Located in the western part of Colorado Springs, West Colorado Springs accommodates around 40,000 inhabitants. Crime data highlights West Colorado Springs as having the highest count of violent crimes within the county, with 1,122 incidents reported in 2020.
This translates to a violent crime rate of 28 for every 1,000 residents, nearly five times surpassing the county’s average of 5.6 per 1,000 residents. The prevalent forms of violent crime in this area include aggravated assault (782 instances), robbery (255 cases), and homicide (85 cases).
Southeast Colorado Springs:
Positioned in the southeastern sector of Colorado Springs, Southeast Colorado Springs houses roughly 50,000 residents. As per crime statistics, Southeast Colorado Springs ranks second in the county for violent crimes, with 1,038 occurrences documented in 2020.
This results in a violent crime rate of 20.8 for every 1,000 residents, nearly four times higher than the county’s average. Prominent types of violent crime in this region encompass aggravated assault (721 cases), robbery (246 cases), and homicide (71 cases).
Central Colorado Springs:
Situated in the central region of Colorado Springs, Central Colorado Springs is home to approximately 60,000 people. Crime data illustrates that this area holds the third-highest count of violent crimes in the county, recording 922 incidents in 2020.
This equates to a violent crime rate of 15.4 for every 1,000 residents, nearly three times over the county’s average. Dominant forms of violent crime in Central Colorado Springs consist of aggravated assault (638 cases), robbery (221 cases), and homicide (63 cases).
Fountain:
Fountain, a city in the southern segment of the county, accommodates around 30,000 inhabitants. Crime data reveals Fountain as having the fourth-highest tally of violent crimes in the county, with 246 cases reported in 2020.
This leads to a violent crime rate of 8.2 for every 1,000 residents, surpassing the county’s average. Major categories of violent crime in Fountain comprise aggravated assault (175 instances), robbery (54 cases), and homicide (17 cases).
Security-Widefield:
Positioned in the southern part of the county, Security-Widefield is an unincorporated community with a populace of roughly 35,000 individuals. As per crime statistics, Security-Widefield stands as the fifth-highest locality for violent crimes in the county, recording 214 incidents in 2020.
This results in a violent crime rate of 6.1 for every 1,000 residents, slightly higher than the county’s average. Prominent varieties of violent crime in Security-Widefield encompass aggravated assault (153 cases), robbery (46 cases), and homicide (15 cases).
Conclusion:
These neighborhoods encounter not only high rates of violent crime but also property crimes, including burglary, theft, and motor vehicle theft. The property crime rate in El Paso County reached 53.7 for every 1,000 residents in 2020, surpassing the national median of 19 per 1,000 residents.
However, specific neighborhoods experienced significantly higher property crime rates than others. For instance, West Colorado Springs reported a property crime rate of 121 per 1,000 residents, more than double the county’s average. Similarly, Southeast Colorado Springs registered a property crime rate of 97 per 1,000 residents, almost twice the county’s average.