Milwaukee County Crime & Safety

Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Safety Score

3/100

Higher = safer

Safety Rating

High Crime

Total Crime Rate

3958.9

per 100K population

Crime Statistics

Violent Crime Rate

1011.6

per 100K population

National avg 380.7

Property Crime Rate

2947.3

per 100K population

National avg 1954.4

Safety Score

3/100

Higher = safer

State avg 56/100

State Safety Rank

#72

of 72 counties (1 = safest)

Data Story

About Crime & Safety in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin

Milwaukee's Crime Rates Exceed National Averages

Milwaukee County reports a total crime rate of 3,958.9 per 100,000 residents, which is significantly higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these figures, the county maintains a safety score of 93.7, reflecting ongoing public safety initiatives across its 23 reporting agencies.

Regional Safety vs Wisconsin State Averages

The county's safety score of 93.7 falls below the Wisconsin state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate is also nearly four times higher than the state average of 1,103.1 per 100,000 residents.

Contrasting Figures with Neighboring Ozaukee

Milwaukee's crime rate of 3,958.9 is much higher than neighboring Ozaukee County, which sits at just 733.6 per 100,000. This disparity highlights the specific challenges faced by Wisconsin's most populous urban hub.

Analyzing Violent and Property Crime Trends

Violent crime in Milwaukee reaches 1,011.6 per 100,000, nearly triple the national average of 369.8. Property crime remains the primary concern, accounting for 2,947.3 incidents per 100,000 residents.

Prioritizing Security in the Milwaukee Area

With property crime rates well above the national average, home security awareness is vital for residents. Installing visible cameras and reinforcing entry points can significantly deter local theft and burglary attempts.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the crime rate in Milwaukee County, WI?

Milwaukee County has a total crime rate of 3958.9 per 100,000 residents, based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting data. This includes both violent crimes (1011.6 per 100K) and property crimes (2947.3 per 100K).

Is Milwaukee County, WI safe?

Milwaukee County has a safety score of 3/100, rated "High Crime". A higher safety score indicates lower crime rates relative to other counties nationwide. It ranks #72 out of 72 counties in Wisconsin for safety (1 = safest).

How does Milwaukee County crime compare to the Wisconsin average?

The county's safety score of 93.7 falls below the Wisconsin state average of 98.3. Its total crime rate is also nearly four times higher than the state average of 1,103.1 per 100,000 residents.

What types of crime are most common in Milwaukee County?

How is crime data measured and reported for Milwaukee County?

Crime data for Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee County?

Milwaukee County has a safety score of 3/100, 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.