Safest cities in Wisconsin

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.

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Hobart Population: 9,499 272 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 44 Property Crime / 100k: 227 chance of being a victim: 1 in 368
Hobart proudly holds the honor of being the safest city in Wisconsin. With only 272 crimes per 100,000 people, Hobart has a crime rate that is 82% lower than the Wisconsin average. This equates to an average of 0.13 crimes per day and a 1 in 368 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.
Evansville Population: 5,374 273 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 0 Property Crime / 100k: 273 chance of being a victim: 1 in 366
Known for its tight-knight community and safe environment, Evansville comes in at #2 on our list of the safest cities in Wisconsin with a crime rate of 273 crimes per 100,000 people. When you dig deeper into the numbers, this translates to: 0 counts of burglary, 239 counts of theft, 34 counts of vehicle theft, 0 counts of assault, 0 counts of robbery, 0 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. The commitment to safety in Evansville, makes it one of the safest and most livable areas in the state.
Mount Horeb Population: 7,494 284 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 116 Property Crime / 100k: 168 chance of being a victim: 1 in 353
With a population of 7,494 and a total crime rate of 284 per 100,000 residents, Mount Horeb is the 3rd safest city in Wisconsin. Exhibiting a total crime rate that is 92% 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.
Kronenwetter Population: 7,891 314 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 268 chance of being a victim: 1 in 318
With many parks and recreational activities readily available, Kronenwetter 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 314, 91% lower than the Wisconsin average. This amounts to 0.07 crimes per day and a 1 in 318 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 Kronenwetter a highly desirable and safe place to call home.
Waunakee Population: 13,903 315 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 105 Property Crime / 100k: 210 chance of being a victim: 1 in 317
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 315, which is 85% lower than the state average.
Oregon Population: 10,513 321 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 42 Property Crime / 100k: 279 chance of being a victim: 1 in 311
Oregon 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 321 crimes per 100,000 people, 88% lower than the Wisconsin average. Breaking down each category of crime, it comes out to: 42 reports of burglary, 228 reports of theft, 8 reports of vehicle theft, 25 reports of assault, 0 reports of robbery, 17 reports of rape and 0 reports of homicide.
Oconomowoc Population: 16,931 324 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 16 Property Crime / 100k: 308 chance of being a victim: 1 in 309
Oconomowoc ranks as the seventh safest city in Wisconsin and offers a peaceful retreat with minimal crime. With a 1 in 309 chance of becoming a victim of a crime and 0.17 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. Oconomowoc’s commitment to safety makes it one of the safest places in Wisconsin.
New London Population: 7,121 391 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 54 Property Crime / 100k: 337 chance of being a victim: 1 in 256
Recognized for sprawling open spaces, outdoor recreational opportunities, and a growing economy, New London is the 8th safest city in Wisconsin. Continuously ranking as one of the safest cities in the state, the crime rate came in at 93% lower than the Wisconsin average, reporting a total of 391 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.
Hartland Population: 9,317 409 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 68 Property Crime / 100k: 341 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. Hartland 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 409 crimes per 100,000 residents, which is 90% lower than the state average.
Cedarburg Population: 11,592 443 total crimes per 100k
Violent Crime / 100k: 47 Property Crime / 100k: 395 chance of being a victim: 1 in 226
Completing the list as the 10th safest city in Wisconsin, is Cedarburg. With a low rate of crime that included 8 burglaries, 387 thefts, 0 vehicle thefts, 16 assaults, 16 robberies, 16 rapes and 0 homicides, the overall crime rate was 87% 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 Hobart 9,499 44 227 272
2 Evansville 5,374 0 273 273
3 Mount Horeb 7,494 116 168 284
4 Kronenwetter 7,891 47 268 314
5 Waunakee 13,903 105 210 315
6 Oregon 10,513 42 279 321
7 Oconomowoc 16,931 16 308 324
8 New London 7,121 54 337 391
9 Hartland 9,317 68 341 409
10 Cedarburg 11,592 47 395 443
11 Milton 5,594 35 426 461
12 Elm Grove 6,156 0 496 496
13 Slinger 5,500 139 371 510
14 Holmen 10,023 50 463 513
15 Caledonia 25,182 63 470 533
16 Berlin 5,410 0 533 533
17 Columbus 5,076 74 461 535
18 Sturtevant 6,606 90 464 554
19 Cottage Grove 7,086 116 452 567
20 Fox Point 6,623 0 595 595
21 Menomonee Falls 37,611 67 529 596
22 Elkhorn 10,034 59 538 597
23 Mequon 24,357 39 559 598
24 Port Washington 11,881 39 566 605
25 De Pere 25,009 75 569 644
26 Waupun 11,264 285 377 662
27 Lake Mills 5,936 119 550 669
28 Grafton 11,718 78 618 696
29 Two Rivers 11,079 215 485 700
30 Verona 13,215 49 663 712
31 Hales Corners 7,609 146 599 745
32 Sturgeon Bay 8,927 91 655 745
33 Kaukauna 16,165 102 681 783
34 Stevens Point 26,144 163 621 783
35 North Fond du Lac 5,076 224 578 802
36 Hartford 15,228 132 689 821
37 Ripon 7,802 181 646 827
38 McFarland 8,845 62 823 885
39 Cudahy 18,211 113 775 888
40 Chippewa Falls 14,197 219 670 889
41 DeForest 10,473 80 813 893
42 Sheboygan Falls 7,898 61 856 917
43 Whitewater 14,762 200 717 918
44 Whitefish Bay 13,890 14 936 949
45 Waukesha 72,419 114 875 989
46 River Falls 15,870 128 862 990
47 Fort Atkinson 12,455 236 758 994
48 Middleton 19,764 107 891 998
49 New Richmond 9,212 110 909 1,019
50 Greendale 14,160 83 940 1,023

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.