Located in the north-central United States, Wisconsin is home to 5.7 million residents. Considered a part of both the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, the state is bordered by Lake Superior to the north and its largest city, Milwaukee, sits on the western shore of Lake Michigan. Second only to Michigan for its length of Great Lakes coastline, residents of Wisconsin have no shortage of recreational opportunities. If you’d like to live in the Badger State, we’re giving you the 50 safest cities in Wisconsin so that you can make the right choice.
Related: Check out our Wisconsin Public Records guide.
Our list was compiled based on FBI violent crime stats and proprietary backgroundchecks.org research data. Rates are normalized per 100,000 residents with the state average being 290 for violent crime and 2,088 for property crime. This is calculated by taking (# of crimes/population) * 100,000.
Get the Badge!
Did Your City Make the List? Click here to get the badge and display it on your website!
#1 Muskego
Located in Waukesha County, the city of Muskego is home to 24,100 residents. Considered a bedroom community of nearby Milwaukee, the city has three lakes and is served by the Muskego-Norway School District. Muskego is the safest place to live in Wisconsin, with a violent crime rate of 16.5, and the chance of being affected by property crime here just 1%.
#2 Cedarburg
A city in Ozaukee County, Cedarburg is home to 11,400 residents. Located just 20 miles north of Milwaukee, the community draws some tourists to its historic district, with several art galleries and many properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Another safe place to call home, the violent crime rate in Cedarburg is 17.4, and residents of the city have a 1.1% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#3 Waunakee
Located in Dane County, Waunakee is a village that is home to 12,000 residents. Considered a suburb of Madison, the community encompasses just 6.3 square miles and has been included on CNN Money’s list of best places to live for small towns. The violent crime rate here is 24.3, and residents of Waunakee have a .09% chance of being affected by property crime.
#4 Oconomowoc
A city in Waukesha County, Oconomowoc is home to 15,700 residents. Located in the Lake County, the community sits adjacent to several lakes, the largest being Lake Oconomowoc and Lac La Belle. Another safe choice, the violent crime rate in Oconomowoc is 31.6, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.8%.
#5 Menomonee Falls
Also located in Waukesha County, the village of Menomonee Falls is home to 35,600 residents. Considered the most populous village in the state, the community is named after the river and waterfall that are located in the center of the village. The violent crime rate here is 39.1, and residents of Menomonee Falls have a 1.1% chance of being affected by property crime.
#6 Grafton
A village in Ozaukee County, Grafton is home to 11,400 residents. Established in 1844, the village encompasses 5.1 square miles, is served by two school districts, and has portions of the Milwaukee River within its borders. The violent crime rate in Grafton is 43.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.4%.
#7 Franklin
Located in Milwaukee County, the city of Franklin is home to 36,300 residents. Just nine miles from downtown Milwaukee, the community was included on CNN Money’s list of best places to live and a top employer here is Northwestern Mutual. The violent crime rate here is 44.8, and residents of Franklin have a 2.1% chance of being affected by property crime.
#8 Verona
A city in Dane County, Verona is home to 10,600 residents. Located just ten miles southwest of downtown Madison, the community is served by the Verona Area School District and is the site of the headquarters of Epic Systems, a medical information systems company. The violent crime rate in Verona is 46.2, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#9 Hudson
Located in St. Croix County, the city of Hudson is home to 12,700 residents. Settled in 1840, the community has many historic properties and businesses that have made it a popular tourist destination. It is also a safe place to call home, with a violent crime rate of 46.7, and the chance of being affected by property crime here at 3.8%.
#10 Beaver Dam
A city in Dodge County, Beaver Dam has a current population of 16,300 residents. Incorporated in 1856, the community is home to the Williams Free Library, the Beaver Dam Lake and River, and is host to several popular annual events. The violent crime rate in Beaver Dam is 49.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 3%.
#11 Brookfield
Located in Waukesha County, the city of Brookfield is home to 37,900 residents. The city is west of Milwaukee and includes the Fox River, where there is a community park and beach at Fox Brook Park. The violent crime rate here is 49.9, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Brookfield is 2.9%.
#12 Platteville
A city in Grant County, Platteville is home to 11,200 residents. Originally a farming and fur trading community along the Platte River, the city is now the site of the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, a public university that specializes in engineering. The violent crime rate in Platteville is 53.3, and residents here have a 3% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#13 Germantown
Located in Washington County, the village of Germantown is home to 19,700 residents. Incorporated in 1924, the village now encompasses over 35 square miles and has been included on Money’s list of most appealing places to live in the U.S. The violent crime rate here is 55.3, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Germantown is just 1.9%.
#14 Pleasant Prairie
A village in Kenosha County in southeast Wisconsin, Pleasant Prairie is home to 19,700 residents. Located between Chicago and Milwaukee, the community has several distinct neighborhoods and is the site of the large Pleasant Prairie Power Plant. The violent crime in Pleasant Prairie is 55.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#15 Onalaska
Located in La Crosse County, the city of Onalaska is home to 17,700 residents. Known as “The Sunfish Capital of the World,” the community sits adjacent to the Black River and Lake Onalaska, a large man-made reservoir. The violent crime rate here is 55.7, and residents of Onalaska have a 2.8% chance of being affected by property crime.
#16 Hartford
A city in Washington and Dodge counties, Hartford is home to 14,200 residents. The community is located on portions of the Rubicon River and Pike Lake, and has a history as the site of the historic Kissel Motor Car Company. The violent crime rate in Hartford is 55.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.2%.
#17 Hobart-Lawrence
Located in Brown County, the village of Hobart and the town of Lawrence have a co-operative arrangement for police protection services. The total population of the two communities is 10,300 residents. The violent crime rate here is 56.5, and residents of these communities have a .06% chance of being affected by property crime.
#18 Elkhorn
A city in Walworth County, Elkhorn is home to 10,000 residents. Also the county seat, the community is located between the cities of Milwaukee and Chicago and the community has the nickname of “The Christmas Card Town”. The violent crime rate in Elkhorn is 59.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.1%.
#19 Marshfield
Located in Wood and Marathon counties, the city of Marshfield has a current population of 19,100 residents. The community is home to a large medical center, the world’s largest round barn, and the University of Wisconsin at Marshfield/Wood County. The violent crime rate here is 67.8, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Marshfield is 2.9%.
#20 Mequon
A city in Ozaukee County, Mequon is home to 23,100 residents. Incorporated in 1957, the community is home to many parks, several colleges, and was included on CNN Money’s list of best small cities in the U.S. The violent crime rate in Mequon is 68.9, and residents of the city have a .08% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#21 Mount Pleasant
Located in Racine County, the village of Mount Pleasant is home to 26,100 residents. Just 30 miles south of Milwaukee and 60 miles north of Chicago, the community is the second most populous village in the state. The violent crime rate here is 72.3, and residents of Mount Pleasant have a 3.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#22 Whitefish Bay
A village in Milwaukee County, Whitefish Bay is home to 14,100 residents. The community encompasses 2.1 square miles, is served by the Whitefish Bay School District, and is the site of the headquarters of the artisan bread company, Breadsmith. The violent crime rate in Whitefish Bay is 77.4, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.3%.
#23 Greendale
Also located in Milwaukee County, the village of Greendale is home to 14,000 residents. The community encompasses 5.5 square miles, is known for its top-rated schools, and sits on the banks of the Root River. The violent crime rate here is 77.7, and residents of Greendale have a 3.6% chance of being affected by property crime.
#24 Waupun
A city in Dodge and Fond du Lac counties, Waupun is home to 11,300 residents. Founded in 1839, the community sits along the Rock River, is home to three correctional institutions, and is noted for its outdoor sculptures by artist Clarence Addison Shaler. The violent crime rate in Waupun is 79.1, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is just 1.4%.
#25 Wisconsin Rapids
Located in Wood County, the city of Wisconsin Rapids is home to 18,300 residents. Also the county seat, the community is divided by the Wisconsin River and is known for its paper mills, its cranberry industry, and as the home of Renaissance Learning, Inc. The violent crime rate here is 81.4, and residents of Wisconsin Rapids have a 4.5% chance of being affected by property crime.
#26 De Pere
A city in Brown County, De Pere is home to 23,800 residents. Considered a suburb of Green Bay, the community sits along the Fox River, has two public school districts, and is home to St. Norbert College, a private Roman Catholic liberal arts college. The violent crime rate in De Pere is 82.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.1%.
#27 Port Washington
Located in Ozaukee County, the city of Port Washington is home 11,200 residents. Also the county seat, the community is just 25 miles north of Milwaukee on the shores of Lake Michigan and has one of the largest commercial fishing fleets in the Great Lakes. The violent crime rate here is 88.5, and residents of Port Washington have a 1.3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#28 West Bend
A city in Washington County, West Bend is home to 31,000 residents. Also the county seat, the community sits on the banks of the Milwaukee River, has over 1,200 acres of parks, and is known for its prosperous businesses that date back to the 1800’s. The violent crime rate in West Bend is 92.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#29 Everest
Located in Marathon County, the DC Everest district is a joint police force that serves the city of Schofield and the village and town of Weston. The combined populations of these communities is 18,000 residents, with the largest being the village of Weston. The violent crime rate in this district is 93.4, and the chance of being affected by property crime here is 2%.
#30 Middleton
A city in Dane County, Middleton is home 17,400 residents. Considered a suburb of the state capital of Madison, the community has been included on CNN Money’s list of best small towns in the U.S., and is the site of several business headquarters. The violent crime rate in Middleton is 95.6, and residents of the city have a 2.3% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#31 Marinette
Located in Marinette County, the city of Marinette is home to 16,100 residents. Also the county seat, the community sits on the south bank of the Menominee River, at the mouth of Green Bay and is known for its shipbuilding industry. The violent crime rate here is 100.3, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Marinette is 4%.
#32 Stoughton
A city in Dane County, Stoughton is home to 12,600 residents. Located just 20 miles southeast of Madison, the community sits on the banks of the Yahara River and is known for its strong Norwegian heritage. The violent crime rate in Stoughton is 108.9, and residents here have a 2.2% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#33 Kaukauna
Located in Outagamie County, the city of Kaukauna is home to 15,400 residents. The community is approximately 100 miles north of Milwaukee, is near the Fox River, and is known for its Thilmany paper mill. The violent crime rate here is 109, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Kaukauna is just 1.1%.
#34 Monroe
A city in Green County, Monroe is home 10,800 residents. Also the county seat, the community is located in the southern part of the state and is known as the “Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA,” where it is also the headquarters to Colony Brands, Inc. The violent crime rate in Monroe is 110.4, and residents here have a 2.8% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#35 Whitewater
Located in Walworth and Jefferson counties, the city of Whitewater has a current population of 14,300 residents. The community was originally a mill town but is now home to the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater as well as a part of the Kettle Moraine State Forest. The violent crime rate here is 114.8, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Whitewater is 1.7%.
#36 Brown Deer
A village in Milwaukee County, Brown Deer is home to 11,900 residents. Considered a suburb of Milwaukee, the community encompasses 4.4 square miles and has been included on CNN Money’s list of best places to live in the U.S. The violent crime rate in Brown Deer is 115.8, and residents of the community have a 2.7% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#37 Two Rivers
Located in Manitowoc County, the city of Two Rivers is home to 11,700 residents. The community is located on Lake Michigan at the confluence of the Neshota and Mishicott rivers and is the site of several historic properties. The violent crime rate here is 128.5, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Two Rivers is 2.3%.
#38 Fort Atkinson
A city in Jefferson County, Fort Atkinson is home 12,300 residents. The community sits along the banks of the Rock River, is the site of several large businesses, and has a popular dinner theater at the location of the original fort. The violent crime rate in Fort Atkinson is 128.6, and residents of the city have a 2.1% chance of being involved in a property crime.
#39 Neenah
Located in Winnebago County, the city of Neenah has a current population of 25,500 residents. The community sits on the banks of the Fox River, Lake Winnebago, and Little Lake Butte des Morts and is known for its significant steel and paper industries, which includes Kimberly-Clark. The violent crime rate here is 136.3, and the chance of being affected by property crime in Neenah is just 1.9%.
#40 Sun Prairie
A city in Duane County, Sun Prairie is home to 29,400 residents. Considered a suburb of Madison, the community is a part of the Yahara River Valley and hosts a popular annual Groundhog Day celebration. The violent crime rate in Sun Prairie is 137, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.4%.
#41 Grand Chute
Located in Outagamie County, the town of Grand Chute is home to 20,900 residents. Settled in 1849, the community is the site of the Gordon Bubolz Nature Preserve and is known as the home of the John Birch Society. The violent crime rate here is 137.4, and residents of Grand Chute have a 3.9% chance of being affected by property crime.
#42 Greenfield
A city in Milwaukee County, Greenfield is home to 36,700 residents. Considered a suburb of Milwaukee, the community sits on the banks of the Root River and is served by the Greenfield School District. The violent crime rate here is 143.3, and residents of Greenfield have a 3.4% chance of being affected by property crime.
#43 Menasha
Located in Calumet and Winnebago counties, the city of Menasha has a current population of 17,300 residents. The community encompasses 7.5 square miles and is home to the University of Wisconsin at Fox Valley, where there is a planetarium and earth science museum. The violent crime rate in Menasha is 150.3, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 1.4%.
#44 Waukesha
A city in Waukesha County, Waukesha is home to 70,700 residents. Also the county seat, the community is considered a suburb of Milwaukee, is the site of several universities, and has been included on Money’s list of best places to live in the U.S. The violent crime rate here is 150.6, and residents of Waukesha have a 1.8% chance of being affected by property crime.
#45 Burlington
Located in Racine and Walworth counties, the city of Burlington is home to 10,400 residents. Incorporated in 1900, the community has several breweries and is nicknamed “Chocolate City, U.S.A.” because of a Nestle factory built there in the 1960’s. The violent crime rate in Burlington is 152.5, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.7%.
#46 Oak Creek
A city in Milwaukee County, Oak Creek is home to 35,400 residents. The community is served by the Oak Creek Franklin School District and is home to a new location of Bucyrus International, as well as a large power plant. The violent crime rate here is 164.2, and residents of Oak Creek have a 3% chance of being affected by property crime.
#47 Eau Claire
Located in Chippewa and Eau Claire counties, the city of Eau Claire is home to 65,800 residents. The community’s name is derived from the French term for “clear waters” as the city sits along the Eau Claire River. It is also home to such companies as Menards, Midwest Manufacturing, and Silver Spring Foods. The violent crime rate in Eau Claire is 164.7, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 2.5%.
#48 Shorewood
A village in Milwaukee County, Shorewood is home to 13,100 residents. Founded in 1900, the community encompasses just 1.5 square miles, sits between Lake Michigan and the Milwaukee River, and has several historic properties. The violent crime rate here is 165.9, and residents of Shorewood have a 2.8% chance of being affected by property crime.
#49 Wauwatosa
Also located in Milwaukee County, the city of Wauwatosa is home to 46,300 residents. The community sits just west of the city of Milwaukee, is served by the Wauwatosa School District, and has several properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The violent crime rate in Wauwatosa is 166.9, and the chance of being involved in a property crime here is 4.1%.
#50 South Milwaukee
A city in Milwaukee County, South Milwaukee is home to 21,100 residents. First incorporated as a village in 1892, the community encompasses just 4.8 square miles and is the site of the headquarters of Bucyrus International, which is now owned by Caterpillar. The violent crime rate here is 173.6, and residents of South Milwaukee have a 2% chance of being affected by property crime.
