WI · 3 cities
Dangerous neighborhoods in Wisconsin
Wisconsin recorded 245 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 26% below the national rate and down 21% since 2022. We cover Milwaukee, Madison and Green Bay. Each guide breaks down the specific blocks, transit points and hours where a little more attention pays off.
Milwaukee
Madison
Green BayFBI data · 2025
Most dangerous cities in Wisconsin, ranked
The 3 Wisconsin cities we cover, ordered by their official violent crime rate: murders, rapes, robberies and aggravated assaults per 100,000 residents. 2 of 3 run above the state average of 245. A high citywide rate doesn't make a whole city unsafe: crime clusters in a few areas, and each guide above shows where.
| # | City | Violent per 100k | Property per 100k | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milwaukee | 1,145 | 2,401 | 559,717 |
| 2 | Green Bay | 450 | 1,193 | 106,069 |
| 3 | Madison | 214 | 1,882 | 287,992 |
| Wisconsin average | 245 | 1,033 | ||
| US average | 330 |
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, offenses reported by each city's police department per 100,000 residents; most cities use 2025 data, and a small year next to a name marks a different latest complete year. Only cities with a neighborhood guide are included, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. How we rank cities.
Wisconsin crime: frequently asked questions
What is the most dangerous city in Wisconsin?
Of the 3 Wisconsin cities in our ranking, Milwaukee has the highest violent crime rate: 1,145 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2025, 4.7 times the state average. Green Bay and Madison come next. Even in Milwaukee, crime is concentrated in a few areas, and our Milwaukee guide shows which ones.
What is the safest city in Wisconsin?
Among the cities we rank, Madison has the lowest violent crime rate, at 214 per 100,000 residents in 2025, 13% below the state average. Green Bay follows with 450.
Is Wisconsin safe to visit?
For most visitors, yes, with ordinary precautions. Wisconsin recorded 245 violent crimes per 100,000 residents in 2025, 26% below the national rate of 330. Crime is concentrated in specific neighborhoods and hours rather than spread evenly, so knowing where those areas are matters more than the statewide figure; our 3 city guides cover them block by block.
Which Wisconsin cities have above-average crime?
2 of the 3 cities we rank have a violent crime rate above the Wisconsin average of 245 per 100,000 residents: Milwaukee and Green Bay. The other 1 are below it.
Is crime going up or down in Wisconsin?
Violent crime in Wisconsin went from 309 offenses per 100,000 residents in 2022 to 245 in 2025, down 21%. Property crime went from 1,392 to 1,033 over 2022–2025, down 26%.
Where do these crime figures come from?
From the FBI Crime Data Explorer, which collects the offenses reported by each police department. Rates are offenses per 100,000 residents, so cities of different sizes can be compared, and years with incomplete reporting are left out. Our methodology explains the details.