| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | La Crosse/100k people | Wisconsin/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 2,088 | n/a (estimate) | 4,103 | 1,433 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 1 | n/a | 2.0 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 40 | n/a | 78.6 | 34.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 13 | n/a | 25.5 | 39.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 145 | n/a | 284.9 | 200.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 199 | n/a (estimate) | 391 | 279 | 359 |
| Burglary | 142 | n/a | 279.0 | 117.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 1,664 | n/a | 3,269.6 | 875.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 83 | n/a | 163.1 | 161.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 1,889 | n/a (estimate) | 3,712 | 1,154 | 1,760 |
The La Crosse crime rates are 93.6% higher than the national average. There are two main categories of crime - violent crime and property crime. Violent crime consists of murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. There were a total of 199 violent crimes in La Crosse (391 per 100,000 people), which is 8.9% higher than the national average and there were a total of 1889 property crimes (3712 per 100,000 residents) which is 110.9% higher than average.
La Crosse has a crime rate of 4103 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 93.6%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of La Crosse. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.
For violent crimes per 100,000 people, La Crosse has a rate of violent crime that is very close to the national average. There were a total of 391 violent crimes, while the national average reported 359. This is an indication that the level of crime is essentially on par with all other cities.
Every year, one in 27 people fall victim to a property crime in La Crosse - which is high compared to the national average. With a property crime rate of 3712 per 100,000 people, La Crosse has one of the highest property crime rates in the country. In fact, the city ranks among the worst 10% of all cities that reported crime last year.
What do the local residents think about crime in La Crosse? Well, based on a recent survey of 56 people (conducted by AreaVibes), 36% of La Crosse residents said that there was virtually no crime and that they felt safe walking at night. Another 64% of respondents said that there was too much crime in the area and they did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Determining whether La Crosse is a place to live may not always yield a simple answer, given the city's varying safety levels across different areas. Nonetheless, comprehending the city's overall crime rate can be a valuable asset. In broad terms, La Crosse has an overall crime rate that is 94% higher than the national average. When we take a look at crime on a daily basis, this translates into 5.72 daily occurrences, comprising 0.55 violent crimes and 5.18 property crimes. Scrutinizing these statistics provides a foundation for a more informed assessment of the suitability of La Crosse as a potential place to establish residency.
Year-over-year crime rates in La Crosse has decreased by 4.5% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not La Crosse is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 54.3%, while property crime has decreased by 8.2%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in La Crosse.
La Crosse has a poverty rate of 22.9, while the national average is 15.1. In the past, there has been a direct correlation between high or low poverty rates and high or low crime stats. Elevated poverty levels and income disparities can contribute to heightened criminal activity, as individuals may resort to unlawful means to address their fundamental necessities. While lower poverty levels have led to a reduction in typical crime levels compared to other areas.
In La Crosse, 90.2% of residents have graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of a community can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
High cost of living can lead to economic stress for individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. When people struggle to make ends meet due to high housing costs, healthcare expenses, or other basic necessities, they may be more inclined to engage in criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. On the flipside, cities that have a lower cost of living, could see a reduced crime rate. In La Crosse, the cost of living is 5.1% lower than the national average.
Why stop at city-to-city? With Local Insights, you can compare neighborhoods, zip codes, or even exact addresses. Access 300+ hyperlocal data points—from schools and crime to housing and amenities—to see which area is the better fit.
| Item | La Crosse | Wisconsin | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 107 | 9,355 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 2.1 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| State | Total offenders | Wisconsin /100K | National /100K |
| Wisconsin | 24,983 | 456 | 266 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Caledonia, MN | 2,816 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Hokah, MN | 613 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brice Prairie, WI | 2,252 | 94 | 389 | 482 |
| La Crescent, MN | 5,277 | 76 | 436 | 511 |
| Holmen, WI | 10,291 | 50 | 463 | 513 |
| Trempealeau, WI | 2,114 | 111 | 459 | 569 |
| French Island, WI | 4,418 | 157 | 653 | 811 |
| La Crosse, WI | 53,074 | 391 | 3,712 | 4,103 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 53,047 | 241 | 956 | 1,197 |
| Logan, UT | 53,108 | 137 | 1,130 | 1,268 |
| Wheaton, MD | 53,031 | 430 | 2,099 | 2,530 |
| Burien, WA | 53,010 | 425 | 3,394 | 3,820 |
| Grand Island, NE | 53,008 | 368 | 1,760 | 2,128 |
| La Crosse, WI | 53,074 | 391 | 3,712 | 4,103 |
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