Safest cities in Wisconsin

Known as the 'Badger State,' Wisconsin is celebrated for its dairy industry, vibrant cities, and scenic landscapes. Located in the Midwestern United States, Wisconsin offers a diverse geography that includes the Great Lakes shoreline, rolling hills, and vast forests. The state's economy is driven by industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and tourism. Milwaukee, the state's largest city, is a cultural and economic hub known for its brewing history, vibrant arts scene, and historic sites. Madison, the state capital, is recognized for its prestigious university and lively cultural events. Wisconsin is also famous for its outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, boating, hiking, and winter sports.

Low crime rates are essential for ensuring high livability, making the safest cities in Wisconsin particularly appealing for residents. Safety enhances community well-being and economic prosperity, providing a secure environment for families, businesses, and visitors. Contributing factors to the safety of Wisconsin's cities include effective law enforcement, community engagement, and comprehensive public safety programs. The rankings of these cities are based on total crime per 100,000 people, offering a transparent and reliable metric. This emphasis on safety allows residents to fully appreciate Wisconsin's natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities without the overshadowing concern of crime, making it an attractive place to call home.

Hobart Population: 9,499 142 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 6 Property Crime / 100k: 136 chance of being a victim: 1 in 706

Hobart proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Wisconsin. With only 142 crimes per 100,000 people, Hobart has a crime rate that is 83% lower than the Wisconsin average. This equates to an average of 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 706 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. The city's well-funded police department, active neighborhood watch programs, and community engagement initiatives contribute significantly to its low crime rates, making it an ideal place for families and retirees.

Oconomowoc Population: 16,931 169 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 169 chance of being a victim: 1 in 590

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Oconomowoc comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Wisconsin with a crime rate of 169 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 45 counts of burglary, 113 counts of theft, 11 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Oconomowoc, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Cottage Grove Population: 7,086 191 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 41 Property Crime / 100k: 150 chance of being a victim: 1 in 523

With a population of 7,086 and a total crime rate of 191 per 100,000 residents, Cottage Grove is the 3rd safest city in Wisconsin. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 93% lower than the Wisconsin average, the commitment to safety is evident in its multifaceted crime prevention strategies. The local government collaborates closely with residents through regular community meetings and feedback sessions to address safety concerns. The end result, is an incredibly safe place to live.

Mount Horeb Population: 7,494 221 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 65 Property Crime / 100k: 156 chance of being a victim: 1 in 452

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Mount Horeb is a growing community where residents can enjoy the outdoors. Residents also feel safe, knowing that the overall crime rate per 100,000 people is 221, 92% lower than the Wisconsin average. This amounts to 0.05 crimes per day and a 1 in 452 chance of becoming a victim of a crime. Strong community partnerships between local businesses, schools, and law enforcement further enhance the city’s security. These combined efforts make Mount Horeb a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Waunakee Population: 13,903 355 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 60 Property Crime / 100k: 295 chance of being a victim: 1 in 281

Known for its friendly neighborhoods and proactive safety measures, Waunakee consistently ranks high in safety. In Waunakee, the focus on community policing ensures that officers are integrated into the community, building strong relationships with residents. Crime prevention education, offered through schools and local organizations, empowers residents to take an active role in maintaining their safety. With everything working asynchronously, the total crime rate comes in at 355, which is 85% lower than the state average.

Hartland Population: 9,317 373 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 93 Property Crime / 100k: 280 chance of being a victim: 1 in 268

Hartland has lots to offer its residents, including safety as it comes in at #6 on our list of the safest cities in Wisconsin. The total crime rate from the year that it was last reported was 373 crimes per 100,000 people, 90% lower than the Wisconsin average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 31 reports of burglary, 238 reports of theft, 10 reports of vehicle theft, 52 reports of assault, 10 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 31 reports of homicide.

Kronenwetter Population: 7,891 375 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 106 Property Crime / 100k: 270 chance of being a victim: 1 in 267

Kronenwetter ranks as the seventh safest city in Wisconsin and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 267 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.09 crimes per day (per 100,000 people), the area has a safety record that speaks for itself. Active involvement from its residents, such as neighborhood patrols and community safety workshops, fosters a strong sense of community and vigilance. Kronenwetter’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Wisconsin.

Waupun Population: 11,264 442 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 165 Property Crime / 100k: 278 chance of being a victim: 1 in 226

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Waupun is the 8th safest city in Wisconsin. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 88% lower than the Wisconsin average, reporting a total of 442 crimes per 100,000 people. The city places a strong emphasis on public safety through various initiatives that promote collaboration between residents and local authorities. Regular community safety events and lots of outdoor spaces, coupled with an accessible and responsive police force, ensure that residents feel safe and supported.

Caledonia Population: 25,182 493 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 36 Property Crime / 100k: 457 chance of being a victim: 1 in 203

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Caledonia is a great example of such a city and continually ranks as one of the safest communities in Wisconsin, based on the annual review of the FBI uniform crime report. Statistically speaking, there were a total of 493 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 75% lower than the state average.

Muskego Population: 25,077 504 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 457 chance of being a victim: 1 in 198

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Wisconsin, is Muskego. With a low rate of crime that included 16 burglaries, 413 thefts, 28 vehicle thefts, 39 assaults, 8 robberies, 0 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 75% lower than the state average. Cities with engaged citizens and responsive government bodies are more likely to implement effective policies and practices that promote safety and address residents’ concerns.

Full list of the safest cities in Wisconsin

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Property Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	Hobart	9,499	6	136	142
2	Oconomowoc	16,931	0	169	169
3	Cottage Grove	7,086	41	150	191
4	Mount Horeb	7,494	65	156	221
5	Waunakee	13,903	60	295	355
6	Hartland	9,317	93	280	373
7	Kronenwetter	7,891	106	270	375
8	Waupun	11,264	165	278	442
9	Caledonia	25,182	36	457	493
10	Muskego	25,077	47	457	504
11	Milton	5,594	35	475	510
12	Sheboygan Falls	7,898	61	455	516
13	Oconomowoc	16,931	16	513	529
14	Port Washington	11,881	39	513	552
15	Holmen	10,023	18	606	624
16	Columbus	5,076	0	639	639
17	Elm Grove	6,156	15	630	645
18	New London	7,121	110	535	645
19	Hartford	15,228	266	380	645
20	Burlington	10,911	64	582	646
21	River Falls	15,870	58	600	658
22	De Pere	25,009	79	583	662
23	Rothschild	5,286	36	634	670
24	Cedarburg	11,592	32	649	681
25	Two Rivers	11,079	186	497	683
26	Edgerton	5,594	50	638	689
27	Oregon	10,513	87	624	711
28	Elkhorn	10,034	87	666	753
29	Plymouth	8,654	0	765	765
30	Sturgeon Bay	8,927	82	687	769
31	Fox Point	6,623	15	756	770
32	Sturtevant	6,606	72	703	775
33	Chippewa Falls	14,197	276	533	809
34	New Berlin	39,794	45	771	815
35	Ripon	7,802	180	654	834
36	Beaver Dam	16,322	156	684	841
37	Mequon	24,357	63	785	848
38	Hales Corners	7,609	27	852	878
39	Verona	13,215	56	826	881
40	Waukesha	72,419	100	793	893
41	Whitefish Bay	13,890	89	804	894
42	Lake Mills	5,936	225	705	931
43	West Salem	5,010	133	816	949
44	McFarland	8,845	105	848	952
45	North Fond du Lac	5,076	92	867	959
46	Grafton	11,718	48	922	970
47	Menomonee Falls	37,611	71	908	979
48	Kaukauna	16,165	81	925	1,006
49	Middleton	19,764	81	947	1,028
50	Stevens Point	26,144	167	950	1,117

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the safest cities in Wisconsin is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) and property crime data (burglary, theft, vehicle theft) per 100,000 people and only included Wisconsin cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Crime by State

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The interactive map above is a powerful tool for discovering the safest cities in each state across the USA. By highlighting states with the lowest total crime rates, this map provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. It showcases urban centers with thriving economies, regions boasting solid job markets, and areas with low unemployment, all of which correlate with reduced crime rates. By clicking on each state, you can dive deeper into information about their safest cities and explore detailed crime statistics that paint a clearer picture of safety across the nation.