Dane County Crime & Safety

Dane County, Wisconsin

Safety Score

23/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

1981.2

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

233.4

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

1747.8

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

23/100

Higher = safer

State avg 56/100

State Safety Rank

#65

of 72 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Dane County, Wisconsin

Dane County Safety and National Context

Dane County reports a total crime rate of 1,981.2 per 100k, staying below the national average of 2,385.5. This leads to a safety score of 96.9, indicating a generally secure environment.

Dane County vs Wisconsin Averages

Dane's safety score sits slightly below the Wisconsin state average of 98.3. The county's total crime rate is higher than the state average of 1,103.1 per 100k.

Safety Trends in Southern Wisconsin

As a major population center, Dane sees more crime than neighbors like Columbia County, which reports 792.8 per 100k. A network of 25 reporting agencies monitors safety across the Madison metro area.

Madison Metro Crime Data Breakdown

Property crime makes up the majority of reported incidents at 1,747.8 per 100k, while violent crime remains low at 233.4. Residents primarily face risks related to theft rather than personal harm.

Modern Security for Urban Homes

Urban and suburban residents alike benefit from modern security measures like video doorbells. Staying informed about local crime trends through agency alerts is another key way to stay protected.

SimpliSafe Home Security

Professional 24/7 monitoring for Dane County. No long-term contracts.

Get Protected →

ADT Security Systems

Trusted home security for Dane County residents since 1874.

Get a Quote →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Dane County, WI?

Dane County has a total crime rate of 1981.2 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (233.4 per 100K) and property crimes (1747.8 per 100K).

Is Dane County, WI safe?

Dane County has a safety score of 23/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #65 out of 72 counties in Wisconsin for safety (1 = safest).

How does Dane County crime compare to the Wisconsin average?

Dane's safety score sits slightly below the Wisconsin state average of 98.3. The county's total crime rate is higher than the state average of 1,103.1 per 100k.

What types of crime are most common in Dane County?

Property crime makes up the majority of reported incidents at 1,747.8 per 100k, while violent crime remains low at 233.4. Residents primarily face risks related to theft rather than personal harm.

How is crime data measured and reported for Dane County?

Crime data for Dane County comes from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) program. Local law enforcement agencies submit data on violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) and property crimes (burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft) to the FBI. Rates are calculated per 100,000 residents to allow fair comparison between counties of different sizes. The safety score (0-100) is derived from these rates, with higher scores indicating safer counties.

What is being done about crime in Dane County?

Dane County has a safety score of 23/100, which is below the Wisconsin average of 56/100. Many counties with above-average crime rates invest in community policing, crime prevention programs, neighborhood watch initiatives, and social services aimed at reducing crime over time.