10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin (2025 Data)

Ever wondered whether your hometown is among the worst cities in Wisconsin? Grab a coffee and come along as we break down fresh 2025 crime data city by city.

We keep the language plain, the facts clear, and the numbers straight from the FBI and state reports. By the end, you will know the most dangerous cities in Wisconsin and how each compares for violent attacks, property theft, and car theft.

What City in Wisconsin Has the Highest Crime Rate?

Milwaukee tops every statewide metric. Its violent-crime rate (1,438 per 100,000 people) is almost five times the state average, and auto thefts swell above 1,000 per 100,000. Residents face a 1-in-25 overall chance of becoming a victim.

10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin

Below is a brief transition before we dive into details. Crime patterns shift with poverty, housing stress, and neighborhood density. Yet the ten cities listed next show the most consistent mix of assaults, burglaries, and stolen cars, making them the top 10 most dangerous cities in Wisconsin as we enter 2025.

1. Milwaukee

Milwaukee posts 1,438 violent crimes, 2,698 property crimes, and 1,002 auto thefts per 100,000 residents. Murder, robbery, and assaults push the violent number, while surging Kia and Hyundai thefts keep the vehicle theft rate high. Overall odds of victimization sit at 1-in-25.

2. Wisconsin Rapids

The city logs 498 violent crimes, 2,103 property crimes, and 64 car thefts per 100,000. Assault is the biggest violent category, and shop-floor larceny drives property numbers. Most locals face a 1-in-39 chance of crime each year.

3. Beloit

Beloit records 493 violent crimes, 2,215 property crimes, and 333 vehicle thefts per 100,000. Robbery and aggravated assault dominate, while fast “grab-and-go” thefts plague strip-mall stores. Auto thieves prey on unlocked SUVs.

4. Rice Lake

With 444 violent crimes, 1,431 property crimes, and 67 vehicle thefts per 100,000, Rice Lake punches above its small-town weight. Eight reported rapes and steady street assaults make nights uneasy, while porch piracy is the top property problem.

5. Wausau

Wausau shows 410 violent crimes, 1,137 property crimes, and 93 auto thefts per 100,000. Assaults outnumber all other violent incidents. The property rate is lower than national figures, but catalytic-converter thefts rose 17 % last year.

6. Kenosha

Kenosha posts 390 violent crimes, 1,003 property crimes, and 98 vehicle thefts per 100,000. Downtown bars see most late-night assaults. Retail parking lots are prime spots for smash-and-grab thefts.

7. Brown Deer

Brown Deer’s small footprint hides big numbers: 258 violent crimes, a state-leading 5,095 property crimes, and 889 vehicle thefts per 100,000. High-density apartment lots lure catalytic-converter crews, and larceny tops 4,100 per 100,000.

8. Green Bay

Green Bay logs 386 violent crimes, 1,537 property crimes, and 284 auto thefts per 100,000. Burglary hits single-family homes on city fringes, while downtown stadium traffic feeds pickpocket incidents.

9. Pleasant Prairie

Violent crime sits at 390 per 100,000, property at 839, and vehicle theft at 23 per 100,000—lower than peers but still high for a suburb. Theft spikes near outlet malls, and most violence stems from domestic disputes.

10. Sparta

Sparta finishes the list with 376 violent crimes, 2,357 property crimes, and 81 car thefts per 100,000. Assaults and vandalism led to violent and property crimes, while rural road vehicle thefts rose 12 % in 2025.

How We Determine the Most Dangerous City in Wisconsin?

Crime severity isn’t just a headcount. We weigh multiple factors to rank the worst cities in Wisconsin. These metrics use 2025 FBI UCR releases and Wisconsin DOJ dashboards.

• Violent-crime rate per 100,000: This number tracks murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. Because these crimes cause major harm to the body and life, they sit at the top of any danger scale.
• Property-crime rate per 100,000: Burglary, shoplifting, porch piracy, and arson fall here. You feel these crimes in daily life because they strike homes, cars, and workplaces.
• Motor-vehicle theft rate: Cars cost a lot to replace, so an elevated auto-theft rate can spike insurance premiums and erode trust in public parking. It also points to organized theft crews rather than lone opportunists.
• Year-over-year trend: Numbers that rise fast signal brewing trouble even if the absolute rate is still middling. For instance, a town that jumps from 200 to 300 violent crimes in twelve months shows a 50 % surge.
• Population-adjusted weighting: Small towns sometimes post eye-watering per-capita figures because one crime spikes the rate. Large cities can mask risk behind big populations.

Crime Trends in Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin

Before we look at safety tips, note a few shared trends:

• Assault dominates: Across the ten cities, assaults account for about six in ten violent crimes. That means most violence happens between people who argue or know each other rather than random strangers.
• Larceny eclipses burglary: Larceny covers shoplifting, package theft, and pocket picking—crimes that take property without force.
• Vehicle theft spreads west: Milwaukee’s spike in Kia and Hyundai thefts—thanks to social-media “how-to” videos—has started to show up in mid-state cities like Wausau.
• Drug-linked crime slabs: Central counties wrestle with meth, while Lake Michigan corridors face fentanyl and cocaine. Addicted users steal to fund habits, and dealers settle turf fights with violence.

How to Stay Safe in Worst Places to Live in Wisconsin?

Crime data looks grim, but smart habits trim risk. Apply these steps whether you live in Milwaukee’s North Division or plan a cabin weekend near Sparta:

• Lock and layer cars: Use more than the factory key fob. A steering-wheel bar blocks fast steering and tells thieves to move on.
• Light the porch: Motion-activated LED lights cost little but pay back big. Thieves avoid bright areas because visibility raises arrest odds.
• Use community apps: Platforms such as Nextdoor, Citizen, or local Facebook groups push real-time alerts about suspicious vans, car break-ins, or stray gunshots.
• Buffer nightlife: If you head out, go in a group and leave together. Park in well-lit lots, even if you pay an extra dollar.
• Support block watch: Neighborhood camera networks and watch meetings still work. When residents swap footage and license plate numbers, police close cases faster, and criminals learn which streets to avoid.

Installing a security camera can also be a good way to ensure your property safety.

FAQs

What is the most dangerous city in Wisconsin?

Milwaukee remains the most dangerous, leading in violent, property, and auto theft categories.

What is the safest city in Wisconsin?

River Hills (North Shore Milwaukee area) tops safety charts, posting just 41 violent crimes per 100,000 and 171 property crimes.

Does Madison WI have a drug problem?

Madison’s opioid overdose calls rose 18 % last year, yet its violent-crime rate (195 car-theft rate, 234 violent) stays below state mids. Local health boards focus on fentanyl outreach.

What are the top five oldest cities in Wisconsin?

Green Bay (1634), Prairie du Chien (1673), Portage (1673 forts), Milwaukee (1795 fur post), and Racine (1834) hold the earliest settlement dates.

Conclusion

Wisconsin’s crime map is a patchwork. Milwaukee still carries the heaviest burden, but smaller towns like Wisconsin Rapids and Sparta fight steep rates too. Understanding violent, property, and car-theft data helps you gauge day-to-day risk.

Stay alert, lock up, and share your own experiences below. Which stats surprised you most? Let’s talk in the comments—and keep Wisconsin safe together.