C
18%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
1%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
22%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleWaupaca/100k peopleWisconsin/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime110n/a (estimate)1,7321,4332,119
Murder0n/a0.04.25.0
Rape3n/a47.234.837.5
Robbery0n/a0.039.460.6
Assault20n/a314.9200.1256.1
Violent crime23n/a (estimate)362279359
Burglary5n/a78.7117.2229.2
Theft77n/a1,212.2875.61,272.1
Vehicle theft5n/a78.7161.3258.8
Property crime87n/a (estimate)1,3701,1541,760

Waupaca crime map

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The Waupaca crime map by CrimeoMeter provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Waupaca as reported by the local law enforcement agencies. Based on the color coded legend above, the crime map outlines the areas with lower crime compared to the areas with higher crime. The Waupaca crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Waupaca crime map does not always indicate that it is a dangerous area for its residents. Areas on the heat map could be inflated if they are located in high traffic areas like airports, sports centers or large parks. Other areas on the heat map could see increased crime rates if they are located in major tourist areas like the downtown core.
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An Overview of Crime Rates in Waupaca, WI

The Waupaca crime rates are 18.3% lower 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 23 violent crimes in Waupaca (362 per 100,000 people), which is 0.8% higher than the national average and there were a total of 87 property crimes (1370 per 100,000 residents) which is 22.2% lower than average.

When it comes to violent crimes per 100,000 people, Waupaca maintains a rate that is very similar to the national average. With 362 reported violent crimes, it falls in line with the national average of 359. This alignment suggests that Waupaca shares a similar crime profile with other cities, highlighting its comparable level of safety within the broader urban landscape.

In a remarkable testament to the city's commitment to safety, Waupaca reported a murder rate of 0. This could indicate that it is a very safe place to live, but also serves as an inspiration to other urban areas striving for safer communities. Examining the full crime report will provide a complete overview of all crimes - violent and property.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Waupaca?

AreaVibes surveyed 8 local residents in Waupaca to gauge the safety of the area. Based on the results, 38% of people answered that there was very little crime in Waupaca and that they felt very comfortable walking alone at night. Another 63% of people responded that there was far too much crime and they would be hesitant to walk the streets alone at night. Keep in mind that the opinions of residents may vary depending on which area they live in.

Is Waupaca a Safe Place to Live?

Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Waupaca a safe place to live?” Although the answer might not be that simple, as some areas are safer than others, getting a good feel for the overall rate of crime can definitely be helpful. Overall, the Waupaca crime rate is 18% lower than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 0.3 crimes per day - 0.06 violent crimes and 0.24 property crimes.

Has Crime in Waupaca Increased Since Last Year?

In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Waupaca has increased by 26.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Waupaca, aiding residents in assessing whether it is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. These crime rates are categorized into two primary groups: violent and property crimes. Year-over-year, violent crime has increased by 130%, while property crime has increased by 13%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Waupaca is a safe place to live.

Potential Causes for Crime in Waupaca

Limited employment opportunities or a prevalence of low-wage jobs can result in higher rates of unemployment and underemployment. Regions where individuals grapple with joblessness or meager wages may exhibit greater vulnerability to an uptick in crime due to financial instability. While areas that have strong employment rates, often will see a reduction in overall crime. Waupaca, for instance, reports an unemployment rate of 1.2%, which differs from the national average of 4.9%.

Waupaca has a population density of 776.5 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 Waupaca crime rates.

Elevated rental costs can generate economic strain for both individuals and families, particularly those with restricted financial means. When a substantial proportion of one's income is allocated to housing costs, it often leaves limited resources for fulfilling other crucial necessities such as groceries, healthcare and education. This financial pressure can fuel desperation, potentially prompting individuals to resort to criminal actions, including theft or fraud, as a means of coping with their financial hardships. In Waupaca, the average monthly rent stands at $934, while the national average is $1,444 per month.

Compare Waupaca, WI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Waupaca crime rates are 18% lower than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Waupaca are 1% higher than the national average
      • In Waupaca you have a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Waupaca is safer than 28% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Waupaca has increased by 15%

      Waupaca, WI Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Waupaca

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        Daily Crime In Waupaca (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above looks at the comparison of crimes committed in Waupaca on a daily basis (per 100,000 people) to crimes committed throughout the state of Wisconsin and the USA. According to the latest crime statistics, daily crimes in Waupaca (which include property crimes as well as violent crimes), when compared to Wisconsin, are 1.21 times more than the state average and 1.22 times less than than national average. Violent crimes committed in Waupaca on a daily basis are 1.30 times more than than Wisconsin average and 1.01 times more than the average nationwide. Daily property crime rates in Waupaca are 1.19 times more than the daily state average and 1.29 times less than the daily national numbers.

        How Safe is Waupaca (higher is better)

        Compared to the other cities in Wisconsin and all other cities across the US, is Waupaca safe? From the gauges displayed above, you will notice that Waupaca is safer than 8% of other cities in the state of Wisconsin. In addition, Waupaca is safer than 28% of cities in the entire United States. To achieve these results, all Wisconsin and United States cities were analyzed to determine how many locations had a lower crime rate than Waupaca. By studying this data, it was possible to determine that Waupaca is below average in safety when compared with other United States cities.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Waupaca

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Waupaca is 1 in 277
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Waupaca is 1 in 74
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Waupaca is 1 in 58
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Waupaca, Wisconsin you have a 1 in 277 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime. Violent crimes include murder, rape, robbery and assault. With regards to property crime, you have a 1 in 74 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 58 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Waupaca.

        Year Over Year Crime In Waupaca (per 100,000 people)

        A good indicator of whether Waupaca is becoming a safer or a more dangerous place to live can be determined by analyzing the year over year crime rate (per 100,000 people). The number of violent crimes in Waupaca has increased by 36%, while the property crime rate in Waupaca has increased by 11% year over year. The number of total crimes in Waupaca has increased by 15% year over year.

        Waupaca police department

        Item Waupaca Wisconsin National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)159,355558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.52.43.3
        There are a total of 15 Waupaca police officers. This results in 2.5 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 2.7% greater than the Wisconsin average and 24.6% less than the National average.

        Sex offenders in Wisconsin

        State Total offenders Wisconsin /100K National /100K
        Wisconsin24,983456266
        There are a total of 24,983 sex offenders in Wisconsin. This yields a total of 456 sex offenders in Wisconsin per 100,000 residents which is 71% greater than the national average.

        Nearby Cities With Low Crime Rates

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Iola, WI1,239110456566
        King, WI1,831112463575
        Chain O' Lakes, WI937112466579
        Manawa, WI1,268113471584
        Weyauwega, WI1,764123512635
        Amherst Junction, WI3411968121,007
        Fremont, WI6162148881,101
        Waupaca, WI6,1013621,3701,732

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Pevely, MO6,1022311,1041,335
        Progreso, TX6,0994882,5593,047
        Erwin, TN6,1035531,9002,453
        High Springs, FL6,1042201,1681,387
        Portland, IN6,1043261,4371,764
        Waupaca, WI6,1013621,3701,732
        Source: The Waupaca, WI crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2024. The crime report encompasses more than 18,000 city and state law enforcement agencies reporting data on property and violent crimes. The uniform crime reports program represents approximately 309 million American residents, which results in 98% coverage of metropolitan statistical areas.