What Is Wisconsin’s Crime Rate in 2024?

Is Wisconsin a safe place to live? The state’s total crime rate is roughly 2,000 incidents per 100,000 people each year, which is lower than the national average. Our full article breaks down violent and property crime by city, tracks five-year trends, and offers practical safety tips to help you choose the best neighborhood.

Wisconsin Crime Rate Snapshot

Wisconsin’s crime rate tells us how many crimes happen compared to the number of people. In 2022, the state saw about 3.8 violent crimes and 14.2 property crimes for every 1,000 residents.

These numbers are a little lower than the U.S. average, which makes Wisconsin a calm place to live. Big cities have more crime, while small towns stay quiet most of the year.

Here is a quick look at the main crime types across the state.

Local police say rural counties in Wisconsin often log less than half the thefts seen in large urban areas.

The table below shows the 2022 rates per 1,000 people for clear comparison.

What This Means for Families

If you plan to move or visit, check the local city data. Places like Pleasant Prairie and Muskego report very low crime, while Milwaukee shows higher numbers. Always lock your car and house to stay safe.

• Ask your local police for neighborhood reports.
• Join a community watch if your block has one.
• Teach kids to call 911 when something feels wrong.

By knowing the snapshot, you can make smart choices. Wisconsin is a friendly state with crime rates that most families can handle with simple habits.

Violent Crime Numbers

Wisconsin recorded around 15,900 violent crimes in 2022. That equals a rate of 272 violent acts for every 100,000 residents, which is a key part of the state’s overall crime picture.

These crimes include murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Looking at the raw counts shows where towns need more police help and where families should stay alert.

Local data tells us that talking with neighbors lowers fear and keeps streets safer.

Recent Yearly Counts

We can see a slow rise in the numbers over three years. Small steps at home make a big difference when crime ticks up.

• Keep outside lights on after dark.
• Save the police phone number in your phone.
• Walk with a friend in quiet areas.

If you want to check your own city, visit the local police website for monthly reports. Knowing the violent crime numbers helps you plan safe routes and protect loved ones.

Property Crime Breakdown

Property crime in Wisconsin means someone takes or damages things that belong to you. This includes theft, breaking into homes, and stealing cars. Knowing the numbers helps you stay safe and see what happens in your neighborhood.

In 2022, Wisconsin had about 1,450 property crimes for every 100,000 people. That is a bit lower than the national rate. Most of these crimes are theft, but burglary and car theft also happen often.

Wisconsin property crime rate is lower than the national average, but theft still happens every day.

The breakdown shows which crimes are most common. We list the main types below so you can see where the risk is highest.

Common Types of Property Crime

Here are the top property crimes reported in Wisconsin based on recent FBI data:

You can see that theft is the biggest problem. Simple steps like locking doors and not leaving valuables in cars can cut your risk. Always report strange activity to the police.

• Install good lights outside your home.
• Keep windows locked at night.
• Write down serial numbers of electronics.

If you are a victim, call the police right away and keep records of what was lost. Quick action helps catch thieves and may bring your items back.

Urban and Rural Disparities in Wisconsin Crime Rates

Wisconsin has big differences in crime between its cities and countryside. In big places like Milwaukee, you see more theft and violent acts than in small towns. This matters because people want to know if their neighborhood is safe.

Rural areas often have fewer people and less crime, but they still face issues like drug use and farm equipment theft. The numbers show that city folks report crimes more often than those out in the sticks. Let’s look at what makes these places different.

Crime in Wisconsin looks very different depending on where you stand.

Why Cities See More Crime

More people live close together in cities, so there are more chances for crime. Milwaukee and Madison have higher rates of burglary than rural counties. For example, Milwaukee had about 1,200 violent crimes per 100,000 people in recent data, while a rural county like Pepin had around 80.

Here are a few reasons for the gap:

• Population density brings more contact between strangers.
• Cities have more businesses to target.
• Rural areas have fewer police officers per person, but also fewer calls.

Knowing these facts helps families pick where to live. A small town may feel calm, but it still needs watchful neighbors. Staying informed is the best step to stay safe.

Recent Annual Changes

Wisconsin’s crime rate has shifted over the past few years. The newest data shows that both violent and property crimes went down a little each year. This means fewer people were hurt and fewer homes were broken into.

So what changed most recently? From 2022 to 2023, violent crime in Wisconsin dropped by about 4 percent. Property crime fell by around 2 percent. For example, in 2022 there were about 299 violent crimes per 100,000 people, and in 2023 that number fell to about 287.

Yearly Crime Rate Snapshot

Looking at the last three years helps us see the trend. The table below shows the main numbers for violent and property crimes per 100,000 residents.

The numbers prove that Wisconsin is slowly getting safer. Each year the rates go down a small amount, which adds up over time.

“Wisconsin saw fewer violent crimes in 2023 than in any of the past five years.”

This drop did not happen by chance. More police patrols and community programs helped lower crime. Cities like Madison and Milwaukee reported fewer burglaries.

Simple Ways to Stay Safe

Even with lower crime, it is smart to protect your home. Here are easy steps you can take today.

• Lock doors and windows at night.
• Keep outside lights on.
• Get to know your neighbors.

These small actions make a big difference. When everyone helps, the crime rate can keep falling.

Wisconsin Safety Rankings

Wisconsin consistently ranks near the middle among U.S. states for overall safety, with property crime rates slightly above the national average and violent crime rates below it. In recent statewide analyses, the state placed around 30th in safety indexes that combine crime statistics, emergency preparedness, and financial security.

Despite some urban areas experiencing higher incident counts, many rural counties report low crime levels that bolster the state’s standing. Residents in communities such as Ozaukee and St. Croix continue to benefit from some of the lowest violent crime rates in the Midwest.

References

1. FBI
2. NeighborhoodScout
3. SafeWise