Is Wisconsin truly as safe as it seems? How much does crime really vary from one city to another? While the state overall has a lower crime rate compared to national averages, there are areas that experience significantly higher levels of crime.
Is Wisconsin Dangerous?
Wisconsin is not generally a dangerous state compared with the national picture. In 2024, Wisconsin recorded about 279 violent crimes per 100,000 people and 1,154 property crimes per 100,000 people, both below the U.S. averages, with violent crime about 22% lower and property crime about 34% lower than national rates. These figures place Wisconsin below average for violent crime and well below average for property crime among the states, indicating overall safer conditions relative to many other parts of the country.
At the same time, Wisconsin's crime rate varies significantly within the state, with certain cities showing higher local rates that merit caution. Overall trends in Wisconsin have been positive, as both violent and property crime rates declined in 2024 compared with the previous year, contributing to an overall decrease in the state’s total crime rate. While no place is entirely free of risk, the broader data suggest that Wisconsin is safer than many U.S. states on average, even though specific urban areas may experience elevated crime levels that call for awareness and sensible precautions.
10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin
Wisconsin isn’t “dangerous” as a whole, but the FBI’s crime statistics show that a small group of cities carry a much higher share of reported crime risk than others. Below are 10 city snapshots based on the violent crime rate and paired with the property crime rate, so you can see both “harm-to-people” risk and day-to-day theft/burglary risk side by side.
|
Rank |
City |
Population |
Violent Crime |
Violent Crime Rate* |
Property Crime |
Property Crime Rate* |
|
1 |
Milwaukee |
104,992 |
529 |
504.0 |
1,724 |
1,642.0 |
|
2 |
Green Bay |
104,992 |
529 |
504.0 |
1,724 |
1,642.0 |
|
3 |
Beloit |
37,025 |
154 |
416.0 |
1,114 |
3,009.0 |
|
4 |
Madison |
261,270 |
940 |
360.0 |
6,464 |
2,473.0 |
|
5 |
Kenosha |
100,255 |
311 |
310.0 |
1,582 |
1,577.0 |
|
6 |
Fitchburg |
30,854 |
93 |
301.0 |
529 |
1,716.0 |
|
7 |
Appleton |
74,757 |
206 |
276.0 |
1,073 |
1,436.0 |
|
8 |
Eau Claire |
69,195 |
191 |
276.0 |
1,634 |
2,362.0 |
|
9 |
La Crosse |
51,591 |
122 |
236.0 |
1,850 |
3,588.0 |
|
10 |
Janesville |
64,687 |
148 |
229.0 |
1,577 |
2,438.0 |
*Rates are approximate per 100,000 residents = (Crime Count ÷ Population) × 100,000
Milwaukee
Milwaukee sits at the top on violent-crime risk in this list, with 529 violent crimes and an estimated violent crime rate of 504.0 per 100,000, alongside 1,724 property crimes and a property crime rate of 1,642.0. In plain terms: if you’re comparing cities by the chance of serious incidents showing up in police reports, Milwaukee’s numbers pull it into the highest tier here, even while property crime is not the most extreme on this specific list.
Green Bay
Green Bay surprises people because the “small-city” mental model doesn’t match its profile here: it shows the same headline set of figures in this list—529 violent crimes (504.0 rate) and 1,724 property crimes (1,642.0 rate). If you’re using this table to rank attention areas, Green Bay lands near the top on violent-crime rate, yet its property-crime rate looks moderate compared with some cities below that have much higher theft-related rates.
Beloit
Beloit reads like a classic “low population, high rate” case: only 154 violent crimes, yet a violent crime rate of 416.0, plus 1,114 property crimes and a striking property crime rate of 3,009.0. That mix matters because it’s not just one category spiking—Beloit’s day-to-day risk (property) and serious-incident risk (violent) both register high relative to its size, so “rates” tell the story better than raw counts.
Madison
Madison is the “big-number city” paragraph: 940 violent crimes (a violent crime rate of 360.0) and 6,464 property crimes (a property crime rate of 2,473.0). With a larger population base, Madison can rack up totals that look dramatic, but the rate places it below the top few for violent crime while still showing a meaningful property-crime load—useful if you’re weighing everyday theft/burglary exposure versus the rarer violent events.
Kenosha
Kenosha lands in a steadier, mid-high band: 311 violent crimes and a violent crime rate of 310.0, paired with 1,582 property crimes and a property crime rate of 1,577.0. The pattern is more balanced than places where property crime balloons; Kenosha’s violent and property rates move together in a way that often signals broad public-safety pressure rather than a single outlier category.
Fitchburg
Fitchburg is a compact-city spike: 93 violent crimes yield a violent crime rate of 301.0, and 529 property crimes produce a property crime rate of 1,716.0. Think of it as “not a huge number of incidents, but enough for the rate to matter”—the kind of city where year-to-year shifts can look dramatic, and where neighborhood-level context often explains a lot more than statewide averages do.
Appleton
Appleton comes in with 206 violent crimes and a violent crime rate of 276.0, alongside 1,073 property crimes and a property crime rate of 1,436.0. If you’re reading this from a practical lens, Appleton’s profile suggests that property crime is the more frequent concern, while violent crime is elevated enough to show up clearly in rate-based comparisons but not in the very top tier on this list.
Eau Claire
Eau Claire matches Appleton on violent-crime rate—191 violent crimes, violent crime rate 276.0—but its property side jumps: 1,634 property crimes and a property crime rate of 2,362.0. Same “people-harm” rate, different daily reality: if your focus is break-ins, theft, or vehicle-related incidents, Eau Claire’s property rate signals a heavier burden than several cities with similar violent-crime rates.
La Crosse
La Crosse is the property-crime outlier in this set: 122 violent crimes with a violent crime rate of 236.0, but 1,850 property crimes and an estimated property crime rate of 3,588.0. That’s the kind of split that changes what “safety” means—serious violent incidents appear lower than many peers here, yet routine property offenses dominate the risk picture, so prevention steps (lighting, locks, parking choices) can matter more than people assume.
Janesville
Janesville rounds out the ten with 148 violent crimes and a violent crime rate of 229.0, plus 1,577 property crimes and a property crime rate of 2,438.0. It’s a city where the property-crime rate clearly outweighs the violent-crime rate, which often translates into “watch your stuff” realities—secure vehicles, avoid leaving items visible, and treat theft prevention as the day-to-day priority even while violent-crime risk is still non-trivial in rate terms.
What Determines the Most Dangerous City in Wisconsin
When we call a city “dangerous” in crime statistics terms, we are really referring to how the data on reported criminal incidents compares across places. According to the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program, crime is measured based on standardized offense categories and reported incidents.
Key Factors That Determine Danger Rankings of Wisconsin:
Type and Severity of Crime Reported. Cities with higher violent crime rates — such as murder, robbery, aggravated assault, and other force-related offenses — are often ranked as more “dangerous” because these offenses involve direct harm or threat to people.
Crime Rate Per Capita. Numbers are standardized per 100,000 residents so that cities of different sizes can be compared fairly. A small city with a handful of violent incidents can be rated as more dangerous than a large city with more total incidents.
Property Crime Rates. While property crimes (burglary, theft, and vehicle theft) don’t involve direct force against a person, they significantly contribute to perceived danger and often outweigh violent crime in total volume.
Population. Transience, density, and demographics (such as age distribution and mobility) influence how crime rates are calculated and interpreted. High churn, large youth populations, or frequent commuting can inflate per-capita rates even without a large absolute number of incidents.
Law Enforcement Reporting Practices. Because FBI crime data comes from local law enforcement agencies, differences in reporting completeness, definitions, and resource levels can affect how many crimes are recorded.
Socio-Economic Conditions. Broader factors like local economic health, employment levels, community resources, and educational opportunity may influence crime patterns — though they are contextual influences rather than direct measures in UCR rankings.
How to Stay Safe in the Worst Places in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin crime, particularly in some of the worst areas, is unavoidable and unpredictable. There is a “But” always. You can be safer if you are willing to follow some safety tips, which are listed below:
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
One of the best ways to avoid becoming a victim of crime is to stay alert. Whether you're walking in a public space or driving, always be aware of who and what is around you. Avoid distractions like texting or using headphones that can reduce your awareness of potential threats.
Keep your head up and scan the area around you.
Trust your instincts: If something feels off, leave the area or seek help.
Avoid High-Risk Areas During Certain Times
Certain neighborhoods or areas in cities with higher crime rates are more dangerous at night or during certain hours of the day. If you must go through these areas, try to:
Travel during daylight hours when visibility and activity are higher.
Use well-lit routes and avoid alleys or isolated streets.
Stay off the streets after dark, especially in known crime hotspots.
Lock Your Doors and Windows
Home break-ins and vehicle thefts are common crimes in areas with high property crime rates. To protect your home and belongings, always:
Lock your doors and secure windows when leaving your home.
Use deadbolts, security bars, and other additional locks where possible.
If you have a car, lock it, even when you’re driving or parking in a busy area. Avoid leaving valuables in plain sight.
Install a Security System
Investing in a home security system can deter criminals and alert authorities in case of a break-in. Features to consider include:
Surveillance cameras to monitor your property.
Motion-sensing lights around the perimeter of your home.
Alarm systems with monitoring services that can alert the police in case of an emergency.
For enhanced protection, consider the eufy ExpertSecure System E10, which offers whole-home coverage with video verification, including doorbell and 360° cameras. It ensures uninterrupted video security with 4G connectivity and a 24-hour battery to keep your home safe during power or internet outages. The system's massive local storage (expandable up to 16 TB) allows you to store footage without relying on monthly fees, offering both convenience and privacy.
Be Cautious with Your Belongings
In high-crime areas, pickpocketing and theft are real threats. Keep your valuables secure by:
Use a money belt or concealed pouch when traveling in high-risk areas.
Avoid carrying large amounts of cash or flashy jewelry that might attract attention.
Keep your phone, wallet, and bag close to your body at all times.
The End
Wisconsin’s overall safety may offer peace of mind, but it’s essential to recognize that safety varies greatly from one city to another. For those navigating higher-risk areas, staying alert and proactive, whether by locking doors, avoiding certain neighborhoods at night, or installing security systems, can make all the difference. Embrace the state's positive trends, but never underestimate the power of common sense when it comes to protecting yourself and your property.
