C
16%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
19%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
23%
Property crime NAT. AVG.
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Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2022 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2023; this is the most current data available.
StatisticReportedincidents/100k peopleMadison/100k peopleWisconsin/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime7,269n/a (estimate)2,6971,6822,324
Murder6n/a2.25.36.3
Rape85n/a31.538.640.0
Robbery113n/a41.939.466.1
Assault606n/a224.8213.7268.2
Violent crime810n/a (estimate)301297370
Burglary921n/a341.7153.7269.8
Theft4,866n/a1,805.3981.01,401.9
Vehicle theft672n/a249.3250.3282.7
Property crime6,459n/a (estimate)2,3961,3851,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Madison, WI

The Madison crime rates are 16% 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 810 violent crimes in Madison (301 per 100,000 people), which is 18.7% lower than the national average and there were a total of 6459 property crimes (2396 per 100,000 residents) which is 22.6% higher than average.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Madison?

What is the prevailing sentiment among Madison residents regarding the state of crime? A comprehensive survey conducted by AreaVibes, involving 109 respondents, sheds light on this matter. The results were as follows: 39% of Madison residents expressed a notable sense of security, asserting that crime was virtually non-existent in their community, and they felt at ease strolling the streets after dark. While, 61% of those surveyed held a contrasting viewpoint, perceiving a higher incidence of crime, leading them to feel apprehensive about walking alone at night.

Is Madison a Safe Place to Live?

To determine if Madison is a safe place to live, let's take a look at the overall crime rate of the area, as well as the number of daily crimes. Madison has a total crime rate that is 16% higher than the national average per 100,000 residents. This results in a total of 19.92 daily crimes (2.22 violent daily crimes and 17.7 daily property crimes) in Madison.

Has Crime in Madison 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 Madison 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 Madison has decreased by 3.5% year over year. Violent crime has decreased by 1.3% and property crime has decreased by 3.7%.

Madison Neighborhood Crime Rates

Typically, densely populated areas in close proximity to the city center tend to experience higher crime rates compared to neighborhoods that are situated on the city's periphery. Madison, an expansive urban metropolis, has more than 102 distinct neighborhoods, each bearing its unique crime rate characteristics. The prevalence of criminal activity varies significantly among these neighborhoods. Noteworthy among safest neighborhoods in Madison are areas such as Hill Farms-University Neighborh, Sauk Creek and Glacier Ridge, which provide residents with enhanced security and peace of mind. Conversely, neighborhoods like Wexford Ridge, North Lake Mendota and Park Ridge are marked by a higher incidence of reported crimes, warranting prudent consideration for those seeking to avoid areas with potentially elevated safety concerns.

Potential Causes for Crime in Madison

Madison has a population density of 3246.9 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 Madison crime rates.

Madison has a ratio of police officers and civilians per 1,000 residents that differs from the national norm, with 2.34 officers and civilians per 1,000 residents, compared to 3.25 nationwide. Crime rates are profoundly influenced by the effectiveness of law enforcement and community policing endeavors. A resilient and cooperative partnership between law enforcement agencies and the community can serve as a deterrent to criminal activities, ultimately enhancing safety. The efficacy of law enforcement extends beyond mere numbers and extends into the realm of community policing strategies, emphasizing the cultivation of trust and collaboration between officers and the community. It is not merely a matter of quantity but the quality of engagement with the community that matters most.

In areas where housing affordability is an issue, crime can become a significant concern. Some individuals and families may be forced to live in overcrowded or substandard housing conditions, which can increase stress and potentially contribute to domestic disputes and related crimes. The median home price in Madison is $262,400, compared to a national average of $184,700.

Madison crime map



The Madison crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Madison 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 Madison crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Madison 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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Crime Quick Facts

  • Madison crime rates are 16% higher than the national average
  • Violent crimes in Madison are 19% lower than the national average
  • In Madison you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime
  • Madison is safer than 31% of the cities in the United States
  • Year over year crime in Madison has decreased by 5%

Madison, WI Crime Quiz

     

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        Daily Crime In Madison (per 100,000 people)

        The graph above illustrates the number of daily crimes in Madison, WI per 100,000 people. In Madison, the total number of daily crimes is 1.60 times more than the Wisconsin average and 1.16 times more than the national average. The number of daily violent crimes in Madison is 1.01 times more than the Wisconsin average and 1.23 times less than the national average. With regards to property crimes, Madison has a daily crime rate that is 1.73 times more than the Wisconsin average and 1.23 times more than the national average.

        How Safe is Madison (higher is better)

        How safe is Madison, Wisconsin compared to other cities in Wisconsin and the rest of the cities across the United States? The graphs above show that Madison is safer than 10% of the cities in Wisconsin and 31% of the cities in the United States. These results are calculated by analyzing all cities in Wisconsin and across the US as a whole and determining how many areas have a lower crime rate than Madison. Overall, Madison is ranked below average compared to all other cities across the United States.

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Madison

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Madison is 1 in 333
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Madison is 1 in 42
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Madison is 1 in 38
        How likely are you to become a victim of crime? In Madison, Wisconsin you have a 1 in 333 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 42 chance of becoming a victim. Property crimes include burglary, theft and vehicle theft. Overall, you have a 1 in 38 chance of becoming a victim of crime in Madison.

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

        The year over year change in crime per 100,000 people helps to understand whether crime in Madison, WI is on the rise or declining. The violent crime rate in Madison has decreased by 2%, while the property crime rate in Madison has decreased by 5% year over year. Summing up the numbers, Madison has decreased by 5% with regards to total crimes year over year.

        Madison police department

        Item Madison Wisconsin National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)5559,355558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents2.32.43.3
        There are a total of 555 Madison police officers. This results in 2.3 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 2.2% less than the Wisconsin average and 28.1% 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
        Cottage Grove, WI7,08641150191
        Shorewood Hills, WI2,08542194236
        Waunakee, WI13,90360295355
        Cross Plains, WI4,23450349399
        Dane, WI1,00889414503
        Windsor, WI7,340123574697
        Oregon, WI10,51387624711
        Madison, WI258,3663012,3962,697

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        Chandler, AZ257,0761821,8081,990
        Lubbock, TX257,0131,0634,1355,198
        Laredo, TX260,5713171,2851,602
        Buffalo, NY255,8057363,2113,947
        Scottsdale, AZ254,9952331,1111,345
        Madison, WI258,3663012,3962,697
        Source: The Madison, WI crime data displayed above is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reports for the year of 2022. 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.