10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin (2026 Data)

Ever wondered whether your hometown is among the worst cities in Wisconsin? Grab a coffee and come along as we break down fresh 2026 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 (1,482 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.

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin

Based on the final year-end police reports and the Wisconsin Incident-Based Reporting System (WIBRS) data for 2025 (released in early 2026), the most significant trend in late 2025 was a bifurcation in crime: while non-fatal shootings and carjackings saw double-digit drops in cities like Milwaukee, homicide rates bucked the national downward trend and rose by approximately 8%.

1. Milwaukee

• Violent Crime Rate: 1,482 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 2,410 per 100k
• Key Update: In 2025, Milwaukee saw 142 homicides, an 8% increase from 2024. However, carjackings plummeted by 49% (down to 264 incidents) and non-fatal shootings dropped by 19%. Despite these improvements in specific categories, it remains the state’s highest-risk area.

2. Beloit

• Violent Crime Rate: 412 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 2,189 per 100k
• Key Update: Beloit moved up the rankings due to a higher murder rate relative to its population size compared to other mid-sized cities. The chance of becoming a victim of a property crime here is now roughly 1 in 46.

3. Wisconsin Rapids

• Violent Crime Rate: 498 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 2,103 per 100k
• Key Update: Aggravated assault remains the primary driver of violent crime. Property crime is heavily concentrated in retail theft, specifically around the 8th Street corridor.

4. Brown Deer

• Violent Crime Rate: 253 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 5,095 per 100k
• Key Update: Brown Deer maintains the highest property crime rate in the state. While violent crime is lower than Milwaukee, the sheer volume of larceny and vehicle thefts—largely targeting high-density apartment parking—keeps it high on the list.

5. Sparta

• Violent Crime Rate: 266 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 2,852 per 100k
• Key Update: Sparta enters 2026 with an unusually high property crime rate for its size. Vandalism and retail theft have outpaced local police projections, though violent crime remains stable.

6. Rice Lake

• Violent Crime Rate: 444 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 1,431 per 100k
• Key Update: This small city continues to struggle with high per-capita assault rates. Recent 2025 data shows that property crime is increasingly driven by "porch piracy" and residential burglaries.

7. Green Bay

• Violent Crime Rate: 386 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 1,537 per 100k
• Key Update: The Green Bay Police Department reported an 8.5% drop in overall WIBRS offenses in 2025. While property crimes fell significantly, "crimes against persons" (violent incidents) saw a slight uptick.

8. Wausau

• Violent Crime Rate: 410 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 1,137 per 100k
• Key Update: Wausau has seen a notable rise in rape reports (105.1 per 100k), which is significantly higher than the national average (40.7), pushing it higher in violent crime rankings even as its property crime remains moderate.

9. Kenosha

• Violent Crime Rate: 390 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 1,003 per 100k
• Key Update: Kenosha saw a decrease in homicides in 2025 (only 2 reported), but high rates of domestic-related aggravated assaults keep it in the top ten. Late-night incidents in the downtown district remain the primary concern.

10. Pleasant Prairie

• Violent Crime Rate: 390 per 100k
• Property Crime Rate: 973 per 100k
• Key Update: This suburb remains on the list primarily due to the high volume of retail theft associated with its large outlet mall complexes and its proximity to the Illinois border, which influences transit-related crime.
  

Image Source: NeighborhoodScout

Summary of 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Wisconsin

How Reolink Determines Wisconsin's Dangerous Cities?

To create this list of dangerous cities in Wisconsin, we analyzed multiple data sources and evaluated several key metrics.

Data Source

• Milwaukee Police Department (MPD): 2025 Year-End Crime Report (Released Jan 2026).
• Green Bay Police Department (GBPD): WIBRS Annual Review of Data (Released April 2026).
• Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ): UCR/WIBRS Portal 2025 Dashboard.

Key Metrics

• Violent crime rate (per 100,000): Includes murder, rape, robbery, and aggravated assault.
• Property crime rate (per 100,000): Covers burglary, theft, shoplifting, and arson affecting homes and businesses.
• Motor vehicle theft rate: Indicates risk of car theft and often reflects organized criminal activity.
• Year-over-year trend: Shows whether crime is increasing or decreasing over time.
• Population-adjusted data: Ensures fair comparison between small towns and large cities.

What Makes These Wisconsin Cities So Dangerous?

• 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 Wisconsin’s Dangerous Areas?

Crime data may look concerning, but practical habits can significantly reduce your risk. These steps apply whether you live in Milwaukee’s North Division or are visiting smaller towns like Sparta.

1. Lock and Layer Your Vehicle Security

Always lock your car and add extra physical protection beyond the factory key fob. A steering-wheel lock or similar device makes theft harder and often deters opportunistic criminals.

2. Light Up Entry Points

Install motion-activated LED lighting around your porch, driveway, or garage. Well-lit areas reduce hiding spots and make your home less attractive to intruders.

3. Use Community Safety Apps

Apps like Nextdoor, Citizen, or local neighborhood groups help you stay informed about nearby incidents such as break-ins or suspicious activity in real time.

4. Be Smart About Nighttime Travel

If you go out at night, stay in groups and leave together when possible. Choose well-lit parking areas, even if they cost a bit more, to improve visibility and safety.

5. Join or Support Neighborhood Watch Efforts

Neighborhood watch programs and shared camera networks help communities respond faster to incidents. Sharing footage and alerts can improve police response and deter repeat activity.

6. Install Security Cameras and Video Doorbells

Home security systems provide continuous monitoring and deterrence. Smart cameras and doorbells allow you to check your property remotely and record suspicious activity.

For example, systems like Reolink offer easy-to-install security cameras and video doorbells with motion alerts, night vision, and remote app access, making it easier to keep an eye on your home even when you’re away.

FAQs

What city has the most crime in Wisconsin?

Milwaukee has the most crime in Wisconsin in terms of total reported incidents. This is mainly because it is the largest city in the state. When looking at crime rates per person, some smaller cities may also show high levels of crime depending on the year and category.

What are the top 10 violent cities?

Cities that often rank among the highest for violent crime in Wisconsin include Milwaukee, Racine, Green Bay, Kenosha, Wausau, La Crosse, Appleton, Janesville, Beloit, and West Allis. Rankings can change each year depending on updated crime data and population adjustments.

What are the top 10 safest cities in Wisconsin?

Some of the safest cities in Wisconsin typically include Elm Grove, Whitefish Bay, River Hills, Pewaukee, Hartland, Mequon, Chenequa, Waunakee, Verona, and Sturtevant. These areas generally report lower levels of both violent crime and property crime compared to the state average.

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.