The objective of this study was to quantify the concentrations and spatial variability of heavy metals in soils at urban stations in Kan (District 5, Tehran, Iran). Eight composite soil samples (40 points) were collected using a five-point (10×10 m) design and analyzed after four-acid total digestion (HCl-HNO3-HF-HClO4) by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Contamination and risk were evaluated using different indices. Exploratory inter-element relationships were further examined using correlation analysis. In addition, screening carcinogenic risk for Pb was estimated. Results showed, lead had the widest range (26–129 mg/kg), with hotspots at the traffic intersection and nearby urban activity nodes, while Cu peaked at stations influenced by localized workshop-related activities. The correlation matrix showed positive associations for Co-Ni, Cr-Ni, Cr-Zn, Cu-Zn, and Cd-Pb (unadjusted p < 0.05), suggesting mixed lithogenic and urban co-enrichment patterns. CF and Igeo identified Pb as the dominant pollutant (CF>6 and Igeo>2 at hotspot stations). PLI ranged from 0.84 to 1.48, indicating overall low-to-moderate pollution with spatially concentrated enrichment. PER values remained below the commonly used threshold of 150, suggesting low ecological risk overall, whereas mean-ERM-Q values (0.200–0.389) fell in the 0.11–<0.5 class, corresponding to an estimated ~21% probability of toxicity. Screening ILCR for Pb ranged from 1.12E-05 to 5.58E-05, and all stations remained within the commonly used acceptable risk-management range of 1E-06 to 1E-04. These findings provide baseline evidence of hotspot-driven metal enrichment in Kan soils and support targeted monitoring and management in rapidly urbanizing districts.