| Statistic | Reportedincidents | /100k people | Milwaukee/100k people | Wisconsin/100k people | National/100k people |
| Total crime | 23,154 | n/a (estimate) | 4,132 | 1,433 | 2,119 |
| Murder | 134 | n/a | 23.9 | 4.2 | 5.0 |
| Rape | 382 | n/a | 68.2 | 34.8 | 37.5 |
| Robbery | 1,727 | n/a | 308.2 | 39.4 | 60.6 |
| Assault | 5,776 | n/a | 1,030.7 | 200.1 | 256.1 |
| Violent crime | 8,019 | n/a (estimate) | 1,431 | 279 | 359 |
| Burglary | 2,175 | n/a | 388.1 | 117.2 | 229.2 |
| Theft | 7,034 | n/a | 1,255.1 | 875.6 | 1,272.1 |
| Vehicle theft | 5,926 | n/a | 1,057.4 | 161.3 | 258.8 |
| Property crime | 15,135 | n/a (estimate) | 2,701 | 1,154 | 1,760 |
Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Milwaukee is 95% higher than the national average. These crimes fall into two primary categories: violent and property. Violent crimes encompass murder, rape, robbery and assault, while property crimes involve theft, vehicle theft and burglary. In Milwaukee, there were 8019 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 1431 per 100,000 individuals, 298.5% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 15135 property crimes, amounting to 2701 per 100,000 residents, 53.4% higher than the U.S. average.
In Milwaukee, the crime rate stands at 4132 per 100,000 residents, surpassing the national average by 94.96%. This places the city among those with some of the highest total crime rates nationwide. However, it's important to recognize that this doesn't imply that the entire city is unsafe. As with any urban area, there are neighborhoods in Milwaukee that exhibit varying levels of safety, emphasizing the need for localized crime prevention efforts and community involvement to create a safe environment across the entire city.
Milwaukee ranks among the most perilous cities in the United States, bearing a violent crime rate of 1431 per 100,000 people, positioning it within the lowest 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime statistics. The odds of falling victim to violent crime in Milwaukee stand at 1 in every 70 residents, emphasizing the pressing need for enhanced safety measures and community engagement to address this significant concern.
While murder rates in the United States have generally declined since 1990, recent years have seen an unfortunate uptick. Milwaukee stands out with one of the nation's highest murder rates among cities reporting crime data. In Milwaukee, a total of 134 murders were reported, equating to 24 murders per 100,000 residents. This statistic underscores the challenges facing the area in terms of severe violent crime and the importance of ongoing efforts to enhance safety and security within the community.
With a total of 5926 vehicle thefts last year, Milwaukee has one of the most stolen cars in the country at 1057 per 100,000 people. This lands Milwaukee in the bottom 10% of all cities that reported crime and the chance of any vehicle being stolen is one in 95.
AreaVibes has conducted polls asking local residents if they feel safe living in Milwaukee. Based on the results of the surveys (308 responses), 20% of people felt that there was very little crime in Milwaukee and felt safe walking alone at night. While 80% of people felt that it was not a safe place to live and did not feel safe walking alone at night.
Before you decide to relocate, it’s always good to ask yourself “Is Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee crime rate is 95% higher than the national average. If we break that down daily, that translates into 63.44 crimes per day - 21.97 violent crimes and 41.47 property crimes.
In the most recent crime report, year-over-year crime rates in Milwaukee has decreased by 32.4%. Examining the change in crime rates from one year to the next provides valuable insights into the evolving safety landscape of Milwaukee, 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 decreased by 14.8%, while property crime has decreased by 39.1%. This comprehensive analysis offers potential residents essential information for making informed decisions about whether or not Milwaukee is a safe place to live.
The Milwaukee area comprises a diverse array of over 182 distinct neighborhoods, each exhibiting a unique crime rate influenced by location and various socioeconomic factors. Generally, neighborhoods situated in proximity to the city center, characterized by higher population density, often report elevated crime rates. Conversely, the outlying neighborhoods, marked by lower population density and reduced unemployment and poverty rates, tend to experience lower crime incidence. Some neighborhoods with lower crime rates include: Mill Valley, Clayton Crest and Alcott Park which foster a strong sense of safety. Conversely, neighborhoods such as North Division, Metcalfe Park and Park West exhibit crime rates above the average, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive research when evaluating different Milwaukee neighborhoods, given their considerable variation in crime rates.
If employment opportunities are limited or if many jobs offer low wages, it can lead to higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, which could lead to an increase in Milwaukee crime rates. Areas where individuals struggle with unemployment or low wages, may be more susceptible to an increase in criminal activities as a result of financial insecurity. While lower rates of unemployment or a surplus of job opportunities could lead to a decrease in crime as their basic needs are being met. Milwaukee has an unemployment rate of 4.3%, compared to a national average of 4.9%.
In Milwaukee, 78% of residents have successfully graduated from high school, whereas the national average stands at 83%. The educational makeup of any city can exert a significant influence on crime rates. Typically, higher levels of educational attainment are associated with reduced crime rates, as they furnish individuals with improved employment prospects and viable alternatives to engaging in criminal activities. Conversely, communities characterized by lower educational achievement often grapple with higher crime rates, as limited opportunities may drive individuals towards criminal behavior.
In Milwaukee, the cost of living is 8.68% 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.
| Item | Milwaukee | Wisconsin | National |
| Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians) | 2,577 | 9,355 | 558,732 |
| Police officers & civilians /1000 residents | 4.3 | 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 |
| Thiensville, WI | 3,227 | 0 | 213 | 213 |
| Bayside, WI | 4,686 | 23 | 229 | 252 |
| River Hills, WI | 1,472 | 0 | 384 | 384 |
| Lannon, WI | 1,221 | 83 | 345 | 429 |
| Wind Lake, WI | 5,617 | 90 | 375 | 466 |
| Elm Grove, WI | 6,322 | 0 | 496 | 496 |
| Richfield, WI | 12,159 | 106 | 440 | 546 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 1,431 | 2,701 | 4,132 |
| City | Population | Violent crime/100k people | Property crime/100k people | Total crime/100k people |
| Baltimore, MD | 621,744 | 1,606 | 4,157 | 5,763 |
| Albuquerque, NM | 579,406 | 1,182 | 4,629 | 5,811 |
| Louisville, KY | 639,172 | 707 | 3,326 | 4,034 |
| Tucson, AZ | 564,632 | 589 | 3,313 | 3,902 |
| Las Vegas, NV | 662,341 | 430 | 2,623 | 3,053 |
| Milwaukee, WI | 605,531 | 1,431 | 2,701 | 4,132 |
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