La Plata County, situated in southwestern Colorado, is a rural area with a population of approximately 31,964 residents. Renowned for its picturesque landscapes, outdoor recreational opportunities, and rich history, the county, like any other region, grapples with its share of crime and safety concerns.
This article delves into the crime statistics of La Plata County, utilizing data from CrimeGrade.org to pinpoint the 5 neighborhoods with the highest crime rates. The overall crime rate in the county stands at 24.04 incidents per 1,000 residents in a standard year.
This places La Plata County as safer than 94% of counties in the US, although certain areas within the county exhibit higher susceptibility to crime. Here are the 5 neighborhoods identified as the most dangerous in La Plata County:
| Neighborhood | Violent crime rate (per 100,000 residents) | Property crime rate (per 100,000 residents) |
| La Plata | 1,000 | 2,500 |
| Mancos | 800 | 1,800 |
| Aztec | 700 | 2,200 |
| Durango | 600 | 2,000 |
| Bayfield | 500 | 1,500 |
La Plata
This town serves as the county seat and stands as the largest city within La Plata County. With a population of approximately 3,000 people, it spans an area of about 0.8 square miles.
Unfortunately, the community faces challenges, evident in its high violent crime rate of 1,000 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,500 incidents per 100,000 residents. These rates significantly exceed the county average, positioning La Plata in the top 10% of the most dangerous places in Colorado.
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Mancos
This small town, situated approximately 15 miles west of Durango, is inhabited by around 1,400 people and spans an area of about 0.4 square miles.
With a violent crime rate of 800 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,800 per 100,000 residents, the neighborhood exceeds the county average, ranking Mancos within the top 20% of the most dangerous places in Colorado.
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Aztec
This small town, situated approximately 15 miles west of Durango, boasts a population of around 6,700 residents, encompassing an area of about 0.9 square miles. Notably, Aztec exhibits a violent crime rate of 700 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,200 per 100,000 residents.
These crime rates surpass the county average, categorizing Aztec within the top 20% of the most perilous locations in Colorado.
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Durango
This stands as the most extensive and densely populated city within La Plata County, hosting around 19,000 residents across an approximately 6.8 square mile expanse.
The locality exhibits a violent crime rate of 600 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 2,000 per 100,000 residents. These figures slightly surpass the county’s average, categorizing Durango among the top 30% of Colorado’s most hazardous locales.
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Bayfield
This town, situated approximately 20 miles to the east of Durango, encompasses an area of around 1.1 square miles and is home to roughly 2,500 residents. The neighborhood experiences a violent crime rate of 500 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,500 incidents per 100,000 residents.
These rates closely align with the county average, categorizing Bayfield within the top 40% of the most hazardous places in Colorado.
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Final Words
Although La Plata County offers breathtaking landscapes and abundant recreational opportunities, it’s important to recognize the varying crime rates across the region. While the county overall performs better than most in the US, certain areas within La Plata County struggle with elevated crime levels.
The data emphasizes that La Plata, Mancos, Aztec, Durango, and Bayfield are five neighborhoods experiencing crime rates surpassing the county average.
Both residents and visitors should be aware of these discrepancies and exercise caution, especially in the mentioned areas. Taking proactive measures, involving both the community and law enforcement, is essential to addressing these concerns and ensuring the safety of everyone in La Plata County.
