Safest cities in Wisconsin

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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.

Oconomowoc Population: 16,931 124 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 124 chance of being a victim: 1 in 808

Oconomowoc proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Wisconsin. With only 124 crimes per 100,000 people, Oconomowoc has a crime rate that is 91% lower than the Wisconsin average. This equates to an average of 0.03 crimes per day and a 1 in 808 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.

Mount Horeb Population: 7,494 157 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 13 Property Crime / 100k: 144 chance of being a victim: 1 in 637

Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Mount Horeb comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Wisconsin with a crime rate of 157 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 131 counts of theft, 13 counts of vehicle theft, 13 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Mount Horeb, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.

Cottage Grove Population: 7,086 184 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 41 Property Crime / 100k: 143 chance of being a victim: 1 in 545

With a population of 7,086 and a total crime rate of 184 per 100,000 residents, Cottage Grove is the 3rd safest city in Wisconsin. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 90% 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.

Hobart Population: 9,499 265 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 29 Property Crime / 100k: 236 chance of being a victim: 1 in 378

With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Hobart 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 265, 83% lower than the Wisconsin average. This amounts to 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 378 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 Hobart a highly desirable and safe place to call home.

Waunakee Population: 13,903 299 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 40 Property Crime / 100k: 259 chance of being a victim: 1 in 334

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 299, which is 85% lower than the state average.

Sheboygan Falls Population: 7,898 319 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 61 Property Crime / 100k: 257 chance of being a victim: 1 in 314

Sheboygan Falls 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 319 crimes per 100,000 people, 92% lower than the Wisconsin average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 12 reports of burglary, 233 reports of theft, 12 reports of vehicle theft, 61 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 0 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.

Kronenwetter Population: 7,891 337 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 105 Property Crime / 100k: 233 chance of being a victim: 1 in 297

Kronenwetter ranks as the seventh safest city in Wisconsin and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 297 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.08 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.

Cedarburg Population: 11,592 398 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 40 Property Crime / 100k: 359 chance of being a victim: 1 in 251

Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, Cedarburg is the 8th safest city in Wisconsin. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 87% lower than the Wisconsin average, reporting a total of 398 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.

Port Washington Population: 11,881 410 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 23 Property Crime / 100k: 386 chance of being a victim: 1 in 244

Many safe cities implement comprehensive crime prevention programs that include educational initiatives, youth engagement activities, and public awareness campaigns. Port Washington 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 410 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 87% lower than the state average.

Jackson Population: 7,149 410 total crimes per 100k

Violent Crime / 100k: 62 Property Crime / 100k: 348 chance of being a victim: 1 in 244

Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Wisconsin, is Jackson. With a low rate of crime that included 0 burglaries, 348 thefts, 0 vehicle thefts, 37 assaults, 0 robberies, 25 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 92% 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	Oconomowoc	16,931	0	124	124
2	Mount Horeb	7,494	13	144	157
3	Cottage Grove	7,086	41	143	184
4	Hobart	9,499	29	236	265
5	Waunakee	13,903	40	259	299
6	Sheboygan Falls	7,898	61	257	319
7	Kronenwetter	7,891	105	233	337
8	Cedarburg	11,592	40	359	398
9	Port Washington	11,881	23	386	410
10	Jackson	7,149	62	348	410
11	Oregon	10,513	51	364	415
12	Muskego	25,077	36	389	425
13	Milton	5,594	36	409	444
14	Caledonia	25,182	52	445	497
15	Hartland	9,317	68	431	499
16	Oconomowoc	16,931	38	472	510
17	Plymouth	8,654	0	529	529
18	Waupun	11,264	143	390	532
19	Edgerton	5,594	0	539	539
20	New London	7,121	54	496	550
21	Holmen	10,023	42	518	560
22	Lake Hallie	6,710	245	354	599
23	Columbus	5,076	55	550	605
24	Elm Grove	6,156	48	577	625
25	Verona	13,215	54	597	651
26	Mequon	24,357	59	594	653
27	McFarland	8,845	84	576	660
28	Two Rivers	11,079	216	513	729
29	Ripon	7,802	116	633	750
30	Twin Lakes	6,134	251	517	767
31	Slinger	5,500	125	669	794
32	Burlington	10,911	82	719	801
33	Elkhorn	10,034	88	724	812
34	Sturtevant	6,606	60	755	815
35	Sturgeon Bay	8,927	82	736	818
36	De Pere	25,009	83	738	821
37	Menomonee Falls	37,611	96	758	854
38	Chippewa Falls	14,197	260	596	856
39	Whitefish Bay	13,890	28	840	867
40	Kaukauna	16,165	103	777	880
41	Lake Mills	5,936	153	733	885
42	Delafield	7,541	28	893	921
43	Stevens Point	26,144	159	781	940
44	North Fond du Lac	5,076	299	653	951
45	Fox Point	6,623	31	934	965
46	Middleton	19,764	124	855	979
47	Hartford	15,228	365	617	982
48	DeForest	10,473	220	770	990
49	Franklin	36,013	59	988	1,047
50	Grafton	11,718	87	975	1,063

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.