F
96%
Total crime NAT. AVG.
120%
Violent crime NAT. AVG.
91%
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 peopleWisconsin Dells/100k peopleWisconsin/100k peopleNational/100k people
Total crime157n/a (estimate)4,5531,6822,324
Murder0n/a0.05.36.3
Rape8n/a232.038.640.0
Robbery2n/a58.039.466.1
Assault18n/a522.0213.7268.2
Violent crime28n/a (estimate)812297370
Burglary14n/a406.0153.7269.8
Theft110n/a3,190.3981.01,401.9
Vehicle theft5n/a145.0250.3282.7
Property crime129n/a (estimate)3,7411,3851,954

An Overview of Crime Rates in Wisconsin Dells, WI

Looking at the most recent crime report, the crime rate in Wisconsin Dells is 95.9% 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 Wisconsin Dells, there were 28 reported violent crimes, equivalent to 812 per 100,000 individuals, 119.6% higher than the national average. Additionally, there were 129 property crimes, amounting to 3741 per 100,000 residents, 91.4% higher than the U.S. average.

Wisconsin Dells has a crime rate of 4553 per 100,000 people, which surpasses the national average by 95.91%, leading to one of the highest total crime rates in the United States. Addressing this issue is vital for improving overall safety and desirability of Wisconsin Dells. Efforts to reduce crime through community engagement, effective law enforcement, and collaborative initiatives are essential to create a more secure and appealing environment for residents and prospective newcomers alike.

Wisconsin Dells has gained notoriety as one of the most dangerous cities in the United States, given its alarming violent crime rate of 812 crimes per 100,000 people. In fact, Wisconsin Dells falls within the lowest 10% among cities reporting violent crimes last year, resulting in a concerning 1 in 124 likelihood of experiencing a violent crime. It's important to note that safety levels may vary across different areas within the city, and this statistic doesn't necessarily reflect the entire city's situation regarding violent crime.

In the latest reported crime year, Wisconsin Dells recorded zero homicides. This statistic potentially positions the city as a paragon of security, radiating a profound sense of safety for its residents. A low number of severe violent crimes instills a deep feeling of well-being among its community but also establishes a lofty benchmark for other locales aspiring to foster equally secure environments.

With a property crime rate of 3741 crimes per 100,000 people, Wisconsin Dells unfortunately has the distinction of being among the bottom 10% of all U.S. cities reporting crime. The likelihood of falling victim to property crime in Wisconsin Dells is alarmingly high, estimated at 1 in 27, significantly surpassing the national average. This data emphasizes the city's pressing need for concerted efforts to address and reduce property crime, ensuring a safer environment for its residents.

What Do the Locals Say About Crime in Wisconsin Dells?

AreaVibes conducted surveys inquiring about the safety perception of Wisconsin Dells residents. Out of the respondents (7 in total), 57% expressed a strong sense of security, believing that crime rates in Wisconsin Dells were low, and they felt comfortable walking alone at night. Conversely, 43% held a contrasting viewpoint, expressing concerns about safety in the area and feeling uncomfortable walking alone during the nighttime hours.

Is Wisconsin Dells a Safe Place to Live?

Is Wisconsin Dells 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, Wisconsin Dells has a crime rate that is higher than the national average by 96%. Breaking this down on a daily basis, it translates to 0.43 daily incidents, encompassing 0.08 violent crimes and 0.35 property crimes. Evaluating these statistics can aid in forming a more informed perspective on the safety of Wisconsin Dells as a potential place to call home.

Has Crime in Wisconsin Dells Increased Since Last Year?

Year-over-year crime rates in Wisconsin Dells has decreased by 3.1% in the last reported crime report. Comparing crime rates from one year to another offers some insight into whether or not Wisconsin Dells is becoming a safer or more dangerous place to live. Crime rates are categorized by violent and property crime. Year-over-year violent crime has increased by 16.7%, while property crime has decreased by 6.5%. This analysis equips individuals with crucial information for making informed decisions about living in Wisconsin Dells.

Potential Causes for Crime in Wisconsin Dells

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 Wisconsin Dells 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. Wisconsin Dells has an unemployment rate of 7%, compared to a national average of 4.7%.

Highly populated regions typically encompass expansive urban hubs teeming with diverse economic prospects. Within these areas, income inequality can be exacerbated, giving rise to enclaves of poverty amid affluence. Communities marked by economic disparities may contend with heightened property crimes, and in certain instances, violent crimes. Conversely, regions characterized by low population density often exhibit lower Wisconsin Dells crime rates. For instance, in Wisconsin Dells, the population density stands at 370.9 people per square mile, diverging from the national average of 90.6 people per square mile.

Rising cost of living expenses, including increased housing costs, grocery, utility and healthcare expenditures, can induce financial strain on individuals and families, particularly those with limited financial resources. Such economic stress may propel individuals towards crime, including theft or burglary, as a means of addressing their financial hardships. Conversely, cities characterized by a lower cost of living may alleviate economic pressures, potentially resulting in a reduced crime rate. In Wisconsin Dells, the cost of living is 2.97% lower than the national average, reflecting a more affordable economic environment that could contribute to a decrease in crime levels.

Wisconsin Dells crime map



The Wisconsin Dells crime map provides a detailed overview of all crimes in Wisconsin Dells 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 Wisconsin Dells crime heat map offers insight into the total crimes on a block group level. Please note that the red areas on the Wisconsin Dells 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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Compare Wisconsin Dells, WI Crime

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      Crime Quick Facts

      • Wisconsin Dells crime rates are 96% higher than the national average
      • Violent crimes in Wisconsin Dells are 120% higher than the national average
      • In Wisconsin Dells you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of crime
      • Wisconsin Dells is safer than 6% of the cities in the United States
      • Year over year crime in Wisconsin Dells has decreased by 13%

      Wisconsin Dells, WI Crime Quiz

         

        Safest Places to Live in and Around Wisconsin Dells

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        Daily Crime In Wisconsin Dells (per 100,000 people)

        How Safe is Wisconsin Dells (higher is better)

        Chance of Being A Victim of Crime in Wisconsin Dells

        The chance of being a victim of violent crime in Wisconsin Dells is 1 in 124
        The chance of being a victim of property crime in Wisconsin Dells is 1 in 27
        The chance of being a victim of crime in Wisconsin Dells is 1 in 22

        Year Over Year Crime In Wisconsin Dells (per 100,000 people)

        Wisconsin Dells police department

        Item Wisconsin Dells Wisconsin National
        Law enforcement employees (officers & civilians)219,355558,732
        Police officers & civilians /1000 residents7.82.43.3
        There are a total of 21 Wisconsin Dells police officers. This results in 7.8 police officers per 1,000 residents which is 225.9% greater than the Wisconsin average and 139.5% greater 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
        West Baraboo, WI1,519125581706
        Reedsburg, WI9,5081291,6021,730
        Baraboo, WI12,1332521,5681,819
        Loganville, WI2563611,6842,045
        Rock Springs, WI2743961,8492,245
        North Freedom, WI6484151,9362,351
        Oxford, WI5424171,9432,360
        Wisconsin Dells, WI2,9078123,7414,553

        Cities with similar population

        City Population Violent crime/100k people Property crime/100k people Total crime/100k people
        McQueeney, TX2,907152811964
        Bellows Falls, VT2,9081771,8442,021
        Munsons Corners, NY2,9062511,0071,258
        Central City, NE2,90666395461
        Minden, NE2,906124829953
        Wisconsin Dells, WI2,9078123,7414,553
        Source: The Wisconsin Dells, 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.