Medford, WI Crime Rates

An Overview of Crime Rates in Medford, WI

Crime can be categorized into two primary types: violent and property crimes. Violent crimes encompass offenses such as murder, rape, robbery, and assault, whereas property crimes involve acts like burglary, theft, and vehicle theft. The overall crime rate in Medford is 14.9% lower than the national average. Specifically, there were 7 violent crimes reported in Medford, equivalent to 163 per 100,000 residents, which is lower than the national average by 56%. Additionally, Medford recorded 78 property crimes, amounting to 1815 per 100,000 people, lower than the national average by 7.1%.

In the latest reported crime year, Medford recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

Medford has a property crime rate that closely mirrors the national average. There were a total of 1815 property crimes in Medford, while the national average was 1954 per 100,000 people. This results in the area being no safer or more dangerous than the average city.

Is Medford a Safe Place to Live?

Is Medford a safe place to live? While the answer may not be straightforward due to variations in safety levels across the city, gaining an understanding of the overall crime rate can prove to be advantageous. In general, Medford has a crime rate that is lower than the national average by 15%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.23 daily incidents, encompassing 0.02 violent crimes and 0.21 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Medford as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Medford Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime data allows us to analyze short-term trends in crime activity. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, we can identify patterns and shifts in Medford crime rates. This information can be invaluable for residents looking to make informed decisions on where to live. When comparing the most recent year to the previous year, total crime in Medford has increased by 30.8% year over year. Violent crime has increased by 250% and property crime has increased by 23.8%.

Potential Causes for Crime in Medford

Medford has a population density of 953.6 people per square mile, while with the national average is 90.6 people per square mile. Cities characterized by high population density are frequently larger urban centers offering diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality may be accentuated, resulting in the coexistence of poverty and affluence. Such economic disparities can contribute to elevated property crimes and on occasion, violent crimes. Conversely, areas with low population density generally record lower Medford crime rates.

Escalating cost of living expenses, encompassing exorbitant housing costs, grocery and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards criminal activities, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Medford, the cost of living is 17.02% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

In cities grappling with housing affordability challenges, crime can emerge as a prominent issue. Certain individuals and families may find themselves needing to reside in cramped or subpar housing conditions, elevating stress levels and potentially fueling domestic conflicts and associated criminal incidents. Medford has a median home price of $112,300, deviating from the national average of $184,700. Large disparities in housing costs can significantly impact the well-being of residents and the prevalence of crime within the community.

Medford crime map