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It used to be where the only the only thing dangerous in Wisconsin was an angry Cheesehead after a Green Bay Packers loss; sadly, folks, that's no longer the case.
That's right, people. Wisconsin has bigger whitefish to fry: the state has some pretty dangerous cities, too. And if you want to know where those places are located, we suggest that you take a look below at RoadSnacks' list of the most dangerous places in Wisconsin for 2022.
How'd we do it? We consulted the numbers. In total, we analyzed 137 cities. We looked at the FBI's latest crime report for violent crime and property crime statistics for every place with over 5,000 residents. We discovered that Wisconsin's overall violent and property crime numbers, while above the national average, the numbers in the state's most dangerous places could be better. And if you guessed that most of Wisconsin's crime is centered around the state's bigger places, you guessed right. Cities like Milwaukee and Madison are being hit pretty hard; surprisingly, however, the most dangerous place in Wisconsin doesn't even break 10,000 residents.
And while Wisconsin might not be one of the top ten most dangerous states in the country, the state's most dangerous places do need some work. Maybe more police? Security cameras? Drug programs? We're not entirely sure. One thing that we are sure about, however, is that you should take a look below at the list of Wisconsin's most dangerous places before you make any life changing decisions.
The Most Dangerous Cities In Wisconsin For 2022
- Beloit
- Brown Deer
- Milwaukee
- Rice Lake
- La Crosse
- West Allis
- Madison
- Eau Claire
- Grand Chute
- Hudson
People always ask why we produce lists of the most dangerous places in each state. Well, we do it to show the public how to navigate the places that most people don't want to visit, but still want to know the gossip. And, unfortunately, there always has to be a number one.
So, what city is the number one most dangerous place to live in Wisconsin for 2022? Well according to the FBI data we crunched, Beloit is the most dangerous place to live in America's Dairyland.
If you want to know where the rest of the most dangerous places in Wisconsin are located, take a look at the list below. And if you don't find what you're looking for there, head to the bottom.
Learn more about the safest places in Wisconsin.
If you're looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
For more Wisconsin reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Wisconsin
- Cheapest Places To Live In Wisconsin
- Most Dangerous Cities In Wisconsin
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Live In Wisconsin For 2022
If you're looking to stay safe in Wisconsin, you might want to avoid its most dangerous city, Beloit. Located about an hour south of Madison, Beloit is one of the only places on this list to rank in the top ten statewide for both violent and property crime.
You'll want to watch your wallet when you're out at Beloit's farmer's market, because there were 878 larceny cases recorded in 2020. It's also a good idea to double-check all your locks if you're in Beloit, what with the 74 stolen cars and 117 burglaries.
And it's not just property crime that makes Beloit so dangerous -- the city also had the 2highest murder rate in Wisconsin, and residents had a 1 in 206 shot of being violently attacked over the year.
/10
Population: 36,921
Rank Last Year: 1 (No Change)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 484 (Fourth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,895 (Ninth most dangerous)
More on Beloit: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
The second most dangerous place in America's Dairyland turns out to be Brown Deer, a village just 20 minutes north of Milwaukee. As you can guess by Brown Deer's high crime rate, the village was far from making the cut for Milwaukee's best suburbs.
Padlocking your picnic basket before a trip to one of Brown Deer's parks might be a good idea, considering the village had the fifth highest property crime rate in Wisconsin.
Oh, and a car got stolen here every other week, on average -- quite common for a place with only 11,808 people.
/10
Population: 11,808
Rank Last Year: 2 (No Change)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 398 (Ninth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,760 (Fifth most dangerous)
More on Brown Deer: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Known for great beer and being a Mecca for motorcyclists, Milwaukee likes to have fun.
Unfortunately, Wisconsin's biggest city is also the most violent as well. In Milwaukee, folks had a 1 in 62 shot of being the victim of a murder, rape, robbery, or assault over 2020. That includes the highest murder rate statewide.
And while property crime isn't as bad in Milwaukee, the city still had the second highest burglary rate in Wisconsin, averaging about ten a day.
Overall, Milwaukeeans can still enjoy a high quality of life if they stick to Brew City's best neighborhoods.
/10
Population: 589,105
Rank Last Year: 4 (Up 1)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 1,596 (Most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,728 (15th most dangerous)
More on Milwaukee: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Rice Lake is a small city of 8,526 and our first representative from Barron County. We recommend buddying up for any adventures along the Cedar Side Walking Trail, for safety's sake.
While Rice Lake may be tiny, it has a big problem -- the city averaged one rape case per month over 2020, giving it the third highest rate of rape cases in Wisconsin.
Additionally, folks had a 1 in 40 chance of being the victim of a property crime over the year.
/10
Population: 8,526
Rank Last Year: 10 (Up 6)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 480 (Fifth most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,463 (18th most dangerous)
More on Rice Lake: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
La Crosse sits along the Mississippi River, across the water from Minnesota. This placement has long made the town an important trade area.
Being one of the main cities in its region, La Crosse suffers some of the crime you'd expect from a high population density. That includes high rates of larceny and car theft.
However, life in La Crosse does have its benefits as well. It has plenty of parks near the river, plus a host of museums and universities.
/10
Population: 51,211
Rank Last Year: 11 (Up 6)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 255 (24th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 4,366 (Second most dangerous)
More on La Crosse: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
West Allis didn't wind up on our list of Milwaukee's worst suburbs for no reason -- its high rates of both violent crime and property crime helped land it there.
The city experienced 237 burglaries over 2020, and 175 car thefts. Overall, though, violent crime is the more significant issue.
About two people were assaulted, and one person was robbed each week in West Allis, on average. All the more reason not to stay out late by yourself at Greenfield Park.
/10
Population: 59,778
Rank Last Year: 5 (Down 1)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 319 (16th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,868 (11th most dangerous)
More on West Allis: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Up next on our list of Wisconsin's least safe places is its capital and second-largest city, Madison.
While you might think of college sports when you think of Madison, high crime rates should also come to mind.
While Madison had the lowest property crime rate on this list, it did have the third highest burglary rate in Wisconsin, and 648 cars were stolen here over 2020.
Overall, violent crime is the more significant issue in Madison, ranking as the 15th highest statewide. That means residents had a 1 in 312 chance of being violently attacked over the year.
/10
Population: 262,736
Rank Last Year: 9 (Up 2)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 320 (15th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,778 (13th most dangerous)
More on Madison: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
The name Eau Claire comes from a French phrase that translates to "clear waters." The waters in question here flow in the appropriately named Eau Claire River, which, according to legend, provided a stark contrast to the murkier Chippewa River.
The water around this town in northwest Wisconsin might be clear, but the morals of some of the residents get very muddy. In fact, given its relatively high crime rate, this community counts as the number 8 most dangerous spot in Wisconsin. Much of this comes from a high burglary rate.
/10
Population: 69,086
Rank Last Year: 13 (Up 5)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 276 (19th most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,789 (12th most dangerous)
More on Eau Claire: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
9. Grand Chute
Situated just north of the hip, safe city of Appleton, Grand Chute ranks as the ninth most dangerous place to call home in Wisconsin.
Grand Chute averaged just over one violent crime per week in 2020, which isn't too bad for a city of 23,579. There were also about two property crimes committed each day, which is enough to give the town the seventh highest property crime rate statewide.
At least there's a butterfly garden and a nature preserve within a ten-minute drive from Grand Chute, if you need to calm your nerves about the high crime rate.
Population: 23,579
Rank Last Year: 7 (Down 2)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 224 (32nd most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,469 (Seventh most dangerous)
More on Grand Chute:
Hudson acts as a kind of extended suburb of Minneapolis, which sits a half-hour drive over the border in Minnesota. The town has seen a population boom in recent decades, thanks to its appeal as a tourist destination and its position near one of the Midwest's biggest cities. From just over 6,000 residents in 1990, the population has more than doubled in the ensuing decades, rising to its current level of 14,255.
That has its good and bad side. Yes, it means a more dynamic economy. But it also invites an additional criminal element. Here, that means suffering 329 property crimes in a year.
/10
Population: 14,255
Rank Last Year: 32 (Up 22)
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 266 (21st most dangerous)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 2,307 (20th most dangerous)
More on Hudson: | Cost Of Living | Crime Report
Methodology: How we determined the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin for 2022?
Every year the FBI release two crime datasets, a preliminary dataset limited to the biggest cities in the country, followed by a more detailed release at the end of the year.
For our analysis, we focused on the JUST released 2020 data, specifically the 2020 Crime In The United States Report. We will update the results when data becomes available in September 2022.
So what criteria did we use? Have a look:
- Violent Crimes Per Capita
- Property Crimes Per Capita
In order to make the analysis as apples to apples as possible, we only considered Wisconsin cities over 5,000 in population. That left us with 137 cities in Wisconsin.
We then ranked each city from 1 to 137 for the two criteria with a #1 ranking being the most dangerous for the particular criteria.
Next, we averaged the two rankings into one "Dangerous Index".
Finally, we ranked every city on the "Dangerous Index" with the lowest index being the most dangerous in Wisconsin -- Beloit. Any ties went to the smaller city. You can download the data here.
Most Dangerous Places To Live In Wisconsin FAQs
Is Wisconsin a dangerous state?
No, Wisconsin is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #12 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in wisconsin ranks 3highest in the United States -- 16.61% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Badger State ranks 39th highest in the United States -- 24.13% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020.
Is Milwaukee, WI a dangerous city?
Yes, Milwaukee is a dangerous city. Milwaukee ranks as the #71 most dangerous out of 320 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Milwaukee might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, North Granville is the safest in Milwaukee, while Franklin Heights is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.
Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Milwaukee ranks ninth highest in America -- 190.91% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 138th highest in the United States -- 2.74% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020 and that no city in America is 'dangerous'. Despite the uptick in murders, it's nothing like you'd see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.
No, Wisconsin is not a dangerous state as it ranks as the #12 safest state in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. The violent crime rate in wisconsin ranks 3highest in the United States -- 16.61% better than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the Badger State ranks 39th highest in the United States -- 24.13% better than US average property crime rate. The latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020.
"}}, {"@type": "Question", "name": "Is Milwaukee, WI a dangerous city?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "
Yes, Milwaukee is a dangerous city. Milwaukee ranks as the #71 most dangerous out of 320 major cities over 100,000 people in the United States based on our analysis of the latest FBI Crime Data. Keep in mind that are always safe and dangerous parts of any city, so even though Milwaukee might be considered dangerous you still need to be aware of where you are. For example, North Granville is the safest in Milwaukee, while Franklin Heights is considered dangerous by many based on recent crime stats.
Compared to other big cities, the violent crime rate in Milwaukee ranks ninth highest in America -- 190.91% worse than US average violent crime rate. The property crime rate in the ranks 138th highest in the United States -- 2.74% worse than US average property crime rate. Note the latest reporting year from the FBI was 2020 and that no city in America is 'dangerous'. Despite the uptick in murders, it's nothing like you'd see in Tijuana or Caracas where the murder rate is 2x any American city.
"}}]}
Graphing The Most Dangerous And Safest Places In Wisconsin
Summary: Locking It All Up In Wisconsin
So what is the most dangerous city in Wisconsin? After analyzing 137 cities in Wisconsin, Beloit takes the top spot as the most dangerous city in Wisconsin based on the most recently reported FBI data -- 2020.
The latest FBI crime data shows that Beloit ranks as the most dangerous city in Wisconsin for 2022.
We want to point out again that there's still safes places in Beloit and that this isn't a comment on the people that live there. So please don't beat us up.
People always ask why we produce lists of the most dangerous places in each state. Well, we do it to show the public how to navigate the places that most people don't want to visit, but still want to know the gossip. And, unfortunately, there always has to be a number one.
So, what city is the number one most dangerous place to live in Wisconsin for 2022? Well according to the FBI data we crunched, Beloit is the most dangerous place to live in America's Dairyland.
If you want to know where the rest of the most dangerous places in Wisconsin are located, take a look at the list below. And if you don't find what you're looking for there, head to the bottom.
Learn more about the safest places in Wisconsin.
If you're looking for something more national, check out the most dangerous cities in America or the most dangerous states in America.
Here are the safest cities in Wisconsin:
- Hobart-Lawrence (Pop. 16,178)
- Kronenwetter (Pop. 8,181)
- Sheboygan Falls (Pop. 7,938)
- Mukwonago Town (Pop. 8,168)
- Hartland (Pop. 9,343)
- Cottage Grove (Pop. 7,233)
- Geneva Town (Pop. 5,045)
- Grand Rapids (Pop. 7,393)
- Evansville (Pop. 5,489)
- Oconomowoc Town (Pop. 8,743)
For more Wisconsin reading, check out:
- Best Places To Live In Wisconsin
- Cheapest Places To Live In Wisconsin
- Most Dangerous Cities In Wisconsin
- Best Places To Raise A Family In Wisconsin
- Safest Places In Wisconsin
- Worst Places To Live In Wisconsin
Crime By City In Wisconsin
Rank | City | Population |
---|---|---|
1 | Beloit | 36,921 |
2 | Brown Deer | 11,808 |
3 | Milwaukee | 589,105 |
4 | Rice Lake | 8,526 |
5 | La Crosse | 51,211 |
6 | West Allis | 59,778 |
7 | Madison | 262,736 |
8 | Eau Claire | 69,086 |
9 | Grand Chute | 23,579 |
10 | Hudson | 14,255 |
11 | Racine | 76,573 |
12 | Platteville | 12,184 |
13 | Menomonie | 16,582 |
14 | Town of Madison | 6,920 |
15 | Fond du Lac | 43,295 |
16 | Altoona | 8,009 |
17 | Glendale | 12,714 |
18 | Superior | 25,845 |
19 | Oshkosh | 67,080 |
20 | Shawano | 8,896 |
21 | Waupaca | 5,953 |
22 | Sheboygan | 47,814 |
23 | Janesville | 64,682 |
24 | Green Bay | 104,649 |
25 | Marinette | 10,497 |
26 | Wisconsin Rapids | 17,524 |
27 | Wausau | 38,492 |
28 | Tomah | 9,418 |
29 | Fitchburg | 31,483 |
30 | Appleton | 74,255 |
31 | Kenosha | 100,005 |
32 | West Bend | 31,603 |
33 | Monona | 8,245 |
34 | Marshfield | 18,403 |
35 | Greenfield | 37,237 |
36 | Plover | 13,201 |
37 | Wauwatosa | 48,265 |
38 | Onalaska | 19,072 |
39 | Mount Pleasant | 27,125 |
40 | Ashwaubenon | 17,183 |
41 | Oak Creek | 36,502 |
42 | Brookfield Township | 6,564 |
43 | Delavan | 9,836 |
44 | Everest Metropolitan | 17,361 |
45 | Shorewood | 13,133 |
46 | Rhinelander | 7,629 |
47 | Jefferson | 7,986 |
48 | Menasha | 17,910 |
49 | Prairie du Chien | 5,539 |
50 | Sparta | 9,865 |
How Is Your Town In ?
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