Every major city has neighborhoods that simply have a higher crime rate than other neighborhoods. The reason for crime varies from neighborhood to neighborhood. Some areas are more susceptible to crime because gangs have moved into the area, for example. Yet, for each neighborhood where there are high crime stats, there is hope for revitalization among the people who live there. Here are the seven most dangerous neighborhoods in Denver. You can also check out the below videos that go far deeper than statistics.

(Please note: All crime statistics come from the Denver Police Department and compare both violent and property crimes between January and May 2015 and January and May 2016. )

1. Five Points

A lively Denver neighborhood and its oldest, Five Points is home to a diverse population and once topped lists as the worst Denver neighborhood in which to live. Violent crimes saw little decrease – from 122 last year to 121 this year – but property crimes have soared to 638 in 2016, up from 395 in 2015.

2. Cole

The East Side, as Cole is often referred, has seen a spike in crime between January and May of 2015 and that same time period in 2016, which may be due to the increased gang presence in the neighborhood. Violent crime dropped from 37 in 2015 to 15 in 2016. However, property crimes – including burglary, larceny, auto theft, and theft from motor vehicle, jumped substantially from 51 in 2015 to 88 in 2016.

3. Sun Valley

The city's lowest income neighborhood, Sun Valley is facing potential revitalization, as reported by the Denver Post in April, into an eco-friendly neighborhood. Violent crime in Sun Valley has remained fairly steady between last year with 16 and this year with 13. Property crime, however, has nearly doubled with 39 incidents in 2015 and 75 in 2016.

4. Montbello

Montbello holds the distinction of one of Denver's largest neighborhoods with approximately 30,000 residents. The neighborhood frequently ranks on the list of worst neighborhoods in Denver because of its substantial crime rate. However, Montbello's violent crime rate remained steady at 274 for January to May in both 2015 and 2016 while property crime dropped by 53 in 2016.

5. Clayton

The George W. Clayton Trust and College calls Clayton home and, although the Denver neighborhood has experienced a decrease in violent crime over the last year – from 37 incidents to 16 – the area has also seen property crimes jump from 51 to 88 incident

6. Capitol Hill

Capitol Hill, just north of downtown Denver, offers plenty to do from strolling along Poet's Row to attending events at the Civic Center Park. Still, the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Denver has its issues with crime, although there was a slight decrease in crimes – from 310 between January and May 2015 to 307 in that same time frame in 2016. Violent crime accounted for 58 of those crimes in 2016, up from 51 in 2015.

7. Union Station

Union Station, a downtown Denver neighborhood, has seen an increase in both violent crime and property crime between January and May 2015 and 16. Violent crime rose from 68 in 2015 to 73 in 2016 while property crime more than doubled: Jumping from 152 last year to 253 this year.

Do you agree or disagree that these are the seven most dangerous neighborhoods in Denver? What other neighborhoods do you think should have made the list? Share with us in the comments!

Sources:

Denver Police Department

Westword

Urbanist