| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | La Crosse/100k people | Wisconsin/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 1,759 | n/a (estimate) | 3,401 | 1,682 | 2,324 |
| Murder | 3 | n/a | 5.8 | 5.3 | 6.3 |
| Rape | 44 | n/a | 85.1 | 38.6 | 40.0 |
| Robbery | 16 | n/a | 30.9 | 39.4 | 66.1 |
| Assault | 95 | n/a | 183.7 | 213.7 | 268.2 |
| Violent crime | 158 | n/a (estimate) | 305 | 297 | 370 |
| Burglary | 114 | n/a | 220.4 | 153.7 | 269.8 |
| Theft | 1,394 | n/a | 2,694.9 | 981.0 | 1,401.9 |
| Vehicle theft | 93 | n/a | 179.8 | 250.3 | 282.7 |
| Property crime | 1,601 | n/a (estimate) | 3,095 | 1,385 | 1,954 |
The La Crosse crime rates are 46.3% 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 158 violent crimes in La Crosse (305 per 100,000 people), which is 17.4% lower than the national average and there were a total of 1601 property crimes (3095 per 100,000 residents) which is 58.4% higher than average.
AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of La Crosse residents. Out of the respondents (52 in total), 35% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in La Crosse were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 65% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.
Is La Crosse 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, La Crosse has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 46%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 4.82 daily incidents, encompassing 0.43 violent crimes and 4.39 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of La Crosse as a potential place to call home.
Year-over-year crime data allows residents and potential residents to assess the crime in La Crosse. A decrease in crime rates may indicate improving safety, while an increase could raise concerns. The year-over-year crime rate in La Crosse has decreased by 19.6%. Violent crimes have increased by 22.5%, while property crimes have decreased by 22.2%. By comparing crime rates from one year to the next, authorities and communities can identify trends and patterns in criminal activity. This helps in understanding whether crime is increasing, decreasing, or remaining stable over time.
The economic prosperity of a city's inhabitants exerts substantial influence on crime stats. Elevated poverty rates and income inequality can precipitate heightened criminal activity, as individuals may turn to illicit means to fulfill their fundamental requirements. While lower poverty rates could lead to lower La Crosse crime rates. In La Crosse, the poverty rate stands at 22.9%, diverging from the national average of 15.1%.
In La Crosse, the cost of living is 4.88% lower than the national average. A substantial cost of living can burden residents, particularly those with constrained financial means. When individuals contend with steep housing expenses, grocery bills, utility costs, healthcare and essential needs that strain their budgets, they may turn to criminal activities, such as theft or fraud, as a means of financial survival. Conversely, cities characterized by a more affordable cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, which could potentially lead to decreased crime rates.
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. La Crosse has a median home price of $150,500, 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.
| 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 |
| Hokah, MN | 592 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Caledonia, MN | 2,759 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| La Crescent, MN | 5,135 | 38 | 191 | 230 |
| Bangor, WI | 1,214 | 141 | 423 | 563 |
| Holmen, WI | 10,023 | 18 | 606 | 624 |
| Trempealeau, WI | 2,034 | 111 | 516 | 627 |
| Brice Prairie, WI | 2,200 | 119 | 557 | 676 |
| La Crosse, WI | 51,543 | 305 | 3,095 | 3,401 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Burien, WA | 51,588 | 496 | 4,113 | 4,609 |
| Perth Amboy, NJ | 51,589 | 330 | 1,463 | 1,793 |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | 51,491 | 308 | 1,016 | 1,325 |
| Kentwood, MI | 51,780 | 446 | 2,229 | 2,675 |
| Levittown, NY | 51,266 | 409 | 1,643 | 2,053 |
| La Crosse, WI | 51,543 | 305 | 3,095 | 3,401 |
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